RESUMEN
Myrtle [Myrtus Communis] is an indigenous plant of northern parts of Iran and has been traditionally used for its healing effect on burn wounds. To compare the histopathological effect of Myrtle extract and 1% silver sulfadiazine on healing of second degree burn wound in rats. This was an experimental study performed on 100 adult male rats. The rats were divided into 4 groups [25 in each group]. Following nesdonal anaesthesia, a second degree burn wound of 4 cm2 was made on back of each rat. Methanolic extract of Myrtle; ointment base; 1% silver sulfadiazine and normal saline [control group] were used as treatment protocols for burn wounds. Revascularization, number of neutrophils and fibroblasts were parameters studied histopathologically. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, One way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests. Histopathological study was indicative of an increase of 9.87 +/- 1.48 in revascularization [p<0.001] in Myrtle extract group which was greater than those in other. There was also a higher number of fibroblasts [23.62 +/- 2.2] [p<0.001] in this group. Silver sulfadiazine [1%] was only showed to have increased the number of neutrophils [p<0.001] in epidermis of injured areas of rats. Extract of Myrtus Communis was found to have more healing potential on second-degree burn wound. Faster healing process, less complications and easy availability of Myrtle are among the reasons suggesting more clinical trails using this preparation..