The effects of Tarantula cubensis venom on open wound healing in rats.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and histopathological effects of two different dosages of alcohol extract of Tarantula cubensis (Theranekron) on open wounds.


METHODS
A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Tarantula cubensis extract (TCE1, n=8) 1/10 diluted, TCE (TCE2, n=8), and (3) vehicle-control (0.2 ml of 96 % ethanol, n=8) groups. Experimental full-thickness 1 x 1cm wounds were created on dorsum skin. TCE or vehicle were given systemically by subcutaneous injections on postoperative days 1 and 4. Wound planimetry and procurement of biopsies was performed on days 4, 8, 12 and 16.


RESULTS
The mean non-epithelialised wound area in the vehicle-control group was significantly larger than in the TCE1 group on days 4, 8, 12 and 16, and in the TCE2 group on days 8, 12 and 16 (p<0.05). The mean percentage of wound contraction was significantly higher in the TCE1 and TCE2 groups than in the vehicle control group on days 8, 12 and 16 (p<0.05). Histopathologically, wound healing was characterised by a significant decrease in the neutrophil counts and a significant increase in neovascularisation; neither were effected by TCE.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that alcohol extract of Tarantula cubensis accelerates epithelialisation and, thus, has beneficial effects on open wound healing in rats.
Professor, Dr; Department of Surgery Uludag University, 16059, Nilufer/Bursa, Turkey.
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Gul Satar
Assistant Professor, Dr; Department of Pathology, Uludag University, 16059, Nilufer/Bursa, Turkey.
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Cangul
Professor, Dr; Department of Surgery Uludag University, 16059, Nilufer/Bursa, Turkey.
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Topal
DVM, Research Assistant, Department of Surgery Uludag University, 16059, Nilufer/Bursa, Turkey.
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Kurt
DVM, Research Assistant, Department of Pathology, Uludag University, 16059, Nilufer/Bursa, Turkey.
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Ipek
DVM, Faculty of Veterinary, Medicine, Uludag University, 16059, Nilufer/Bursa, Turkey.
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Onel
D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D062326:Re-Epithelialization / Q000187:drug effects*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
D013111:Spider Venoms
Tarantula cubensis; extract; rat; skin; wound healing