Research Article

Wound healing activities of eucalyptol on full thickness excisional skin wound model in rats

Volume: 73 Number: 1 January 1, 2026

Wound healing activities of eucalyptol on full thickness excisional skin wound model in rats

Abstract

A plant-derived monoterpene, eucalyptol (1,8-cineole), has been suggested to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The wound-healing effects of eucalyptol remain unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the topical use of eucalyptol at two concentrations on a full-thickness excisional skin wound model in terms of wound healing, gene expression, biochemical changes, and histopathological changes. Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 12 per group). The control group (C) was untreated. Full-thickness excisional skin wounds were created in the following groups: the vehicle group (V), which was treated with polysorbate 80 solution (negative control). The Dexpanthenol group (D) was treated with dexpanthenol ointment (positive control). Eucalyptol 5% (E5) and Eucalyptol 10% (E10) groups were treated with 5% and 10% eucalyptol, respectively. Wound areas were measured on days 1, 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, and 21 days after wound creation. Wound tissues were collected on days 7 and 21. Histopathological, gene expression (TNFα, IL10, TGFβ1, VEGF), and biochemical (MDA, rGSH, GPx, CAT) analyses were performed on the wound tissues. TNFα gene expression levels were upregulated in Groups V and E5 (P<0.05). IL10 levels were upregulated in the V, E5, and E10 groups (P<0.05). TGFβ1 was upregulated in all groups compared with the control. Significant differences in rGSH, GPx, CAT, and MDA levels were found among all groups (P<0.05). Topical administration of 10% eucalyptol accelerates wound healing. With respect to epidermal thickness, 5% eucalyptol resulted in superior wound healing. Further studies should include different wound models, tissue analyses, and combinations of eucalyptol with other agents.

Keywords

Project Number

20.M.051

References

  1. Abramov Y, Golden B, Sullivan M, et al (2007): Histologic characterization of vaginal vs. abdominal surgical wound healing in a rabbit model. Wound Repair Regen, 15, 80-86.
  2. Aebi H (1984): Catalase. Methods Enzymol, 105, 121–126.
  3. Agyare C, Boakye YD, Bekoe EO, et al (2016): African medicinal plants with wound healing properties. J Ethnopharmacol, 177, 85-100.
  4. Akcakavak G, Kazak F, Deveci MZY (2023): Eucalyptol protects against cisplatin-induced liver injury in rats. Biol Bull, 50, 987-994.
  5. Akcakavak G, Kazak F, Karatas O, et al (2024): Eucalyptol regulates Nrf2 and NF-kB signaling and alleviates gentamicin-induced kidney injury in rats by downregulating oxidative stress, oxidative DNA damage, inflammation, and apoptosis. Toxicol Mech Methods, 34, 413-422.
  6. Albaayit SFA, Abba Y, Rasedee A, et al (2015): Effect of Clausena excavata Burm. f.(Rutaceae) leaf extract on wound healing and antioxidant activity in rats. Drug Des Devel Ther, 9, 3507-3518.
  7. Bahramsoltani R, Farzaei MH, Rahimi R (2014): Medicinal plants and their natural components as future drugs for the treatment of burn wounds: an integrative review. Arch Dermatol Res, 306, 601-617.
  8. Beutler E (1975): Reduced Glutathione (GSH). 62-94. In: HV Bergmeyen (Ed), Red Blood Cell Metabolism: A Manual of Biochemical Methods. Grune and Stratton, New York.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Biochemistry, Veterinary Surgery, Animal Science, Genetics and Biostatistics

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

November 28, 2025

Publication Date

January 1, 2026

Submission Date

May 1, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 9, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 73 Number: 1

APA
Deveci, M. Z. Y., Kırgız, Ö., Özkan, H., İşler, C. T., Kazak Akçakavak, F., Yurtal, Z., & Yakan, A. (2026). Wound healing activities of eucalyptol on full thickness excisional skin wound model in rats. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 73(1), 83-92. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1677537
AMA
1.Deveci MZY, Kırgız Ö, Özkan H, et al. Wound healing activities of eucalyptol on full thickness excisional skin wound model in rats. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;73(1):83-92. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1677537
Chicago
Deveci, Mehmet Zeki Yılmaz, Ömer Kırgız, Hüseyin Özkan, et al. 2026. “Wound Healing Activities of Eucalyptol on Full Thickness Excisional Skin Wound Model in Rats”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73 (1): 83-92. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1677537.
EndNote
Deveci MZY, Kırgız Ö, Özkan H, İşler CT, Kazak Akçakavak F, Yurtal Z, Yakan A (January 1, 2026) Wound healing activities of eucalyptol on full thickness excisional skin wound model in rats. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73 1 83–92.
IEEE
[1]M. Z. Y. Deveci et al., “Wound healing activities of eucalyptol on full thickness excisional skin wound model in rats”, Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg, vol. 73, no. 1, pp. 83–92, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.33988/auvfd.1677537.
ISNAD
Deveci, Mehmet Zeki Yılmaz - Kırgız, Ömer - Özkan, Hüseyin - İşler, Cafer Tayer - Kazak Akçakavak, Filiz - Yurtal, Ziya - Yakan, Akın. “Wound Healing Activities of Eucalyptol on Full Thickness Excisional Skin Wound Model in Rats”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73/1 (January 1, 2026): 83-92. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1677537.
JAMA
1.Deveci MZY, Kırgız Ö, Özkan H, İşler CT, Kazak Akçakavak F, Yurtal Z, Yakan A. Wound healing activities of eucalyptol on full thickness excisional skin wound model in rats. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;73:83–92.
MLA
Deveci, Mehmet Zeki Yılmaz, et al. “Wound Healing Activities of Eucalyptol on Full Thickness Excisional Skin Wound Model in Rats”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 73, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 83-92, doi:10.33988/auvfd.1677537.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Zeki Yılmaz Deveci, Ömer Kırgız, Hüseyin Özkan, Cafer Tayer İşler, Filiz Kazak Akçakavak, Ziya Yurtal, Akın Yakan. Wound healing activities of eucalyptol on full thickness excisional skin wound model in rats. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026 Jan. 1;73(1):83-92. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1677537