Indian Journal of Veterinary Surgery

Chronic foot ulcers are one of the most common and serious complications of diabetes mellitus which often leads to amputations. Deferoxamine (DFO), an iron chelator, isolated from Streptomyces pilosus, has role in ameliorating inflammation. Thus, it is hypothesized that DFO can ameliorate wound healing in diabetes. In this study, 30 rats were induced with diabetes and wounds were made on the dorsal thoracic region. 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.25% and 1.25% DFO ointment were topically applied after dividing them into five groups. Control group was treated with ointment base. Photography and wound measurement were done on days 0, 10 and 19 and the animals were euthanised on day 19 for histopathological analysis of granulation tissue sections. Gross examination and wound contraction measurements showed enhanced healing in DFO-treated rats compared to control. Histopathological analysis also showed lesser inflammation and better collagen deposition and angiogenesis in DFO-treated rats. So, it can be concluded that DFO has immense potential as a wound healing agent in diabetic rats.