Novel Approach to Scar Reduction: Silicone Gel Enriched With Erbium Borate Nanoparticles

BACKGROUND/AIM: Scar formation following skin injuries from trauma or surgery can result in sensory deficits, loss of flexibility, and significant cosmetic concerns. This study evaluates the potential effects of silicone gel combined with erbium borate nanoparticles on wound healing and scar reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen Wistar albino rats, each with four incisional wounds, were divided into four groups: control, silicone gel with vitamin C, silicone gel with erbium borate nanoparticles, and erbium borate hydrogel. Topical treatments were applied daily for 7 or 21 days, and histopathological evaluations were performed on day 14 and day 28, respectively, including Abramov wound healing scoring and scar elevation index measurements. Hematoxylineosin and Masson's trichrome staining were used for the assessments. RESULTS: Histopathological evaluation on day 14 revealed no significant differences between groups; however, the silicone gel + vitamin C group exhibited more immature collagen fibers (p=0.096). On day 28, collagen deposition was significantly higher in the silicone gel + vitamin C group compared to the silicone gel + erbium borate group (p=0.021), whereas the silicone gel + erbium borate group exhibited more organized and mature collagen fibers. Scar elevation index tended to be lower in the silicone gel+erbium borate group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: The combination of silicone gel and erbium borate nanoparticles may improve wound healing and may contribute to improved scar-related outcomes compared with untreated wounds, providing a promising therapeutic approach for improving healing outcomes.