Comparative evaluation of hyaluronic acid-based dressing versus hydrocolloid dressing in rat dermal wound healing.

Background: Wound healing is a complex process influenced by a variety of environmental factors. Dressing materials play a critical role in creating barriers against contaminants, maintaining optimal moisture levels, and absorbing wound exudate. Therefore, selecting materials tailored to wound characteristics is crucial for enhancing outcomes. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural biocompatible polymer that supports healing by regulating inflammation and promoting tissue repair. This study compared HA- and hydrocolloid-based hydrogels in a rat model to optimize wound care strategies.

Methods: Full-thickness dermal wounds (diameter, 8 mm) were created on the dorsal skin of 12 Sprague-Dawley rats under sevoflurane anesthesia. The wounds were treated with HA/silver sulfadiazine gel (group A), hydrocolloid gel (group B), or left untreated (control), all covered with a transparent dressing. Biopsy specimens on days 3, 7, and 21 were used to assess histological parameters: inflammatory cell infiltration, fibroblast infiltration, collagen deposition, neovascularization, and epithelial thickness, using a semi-quantitative scoring system. Histological analyses were conducted blindly, and statistical analyses were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p< 0.05).

Results: On day 3, group A showed significantly higher inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition than other groups, indicating extracellular matrix formation. By day 7, angiogenesis was highest in group A, followed by group B and controls. By day 21, all wounds had completely healed. Epithelial layer thickness, reflecting inflammation and fibroblast maturity, was significantly higher in group A.

Conclusion: This study compared HA-based hydrogel and hydrocolloid-based dressings through histological analyses to elucidate wound healing mechanics. HA-based hydrogel dressings significantly enhanced wound recovery. However, generalizing these outcomes requires future studies to expand the range of effective wound treatment materials. These findings underscore the potential of HA-based dressings to enhance clinical outcomes in wound management, suggesting avenues for improving therapeutic strategies.