Assessment of the Effects of Parsley (Petroselinum sativum) Ethanolic Extract on the Healing of Infected Skin Wounds and Oxidative Stress in Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Iman Safaraee 1
Hesamedin Eskafian 2
Hamidreza Moslemi 3
Sahar Ghaffarikhaligh 4
Ashkan Jebelli Javan 5
1 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary .Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
2 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
3 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
4 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
5 Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
10.61882/eltiamj.12.1.11
Abstract
Background: Skin wound healing, particularly of infected wounds, is a significant medical challenge that requires effective and low-complication treatments. Medicinal plants have been proposed as promising options due to their antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.  
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of methanolic parsley extract on the healing of infected wounds caused by Staphylococcus aureus in rats.  
Methods: In this study, 60 adult female rats were randomly divided into four groups of 15: the parsley (10% methanolic parsley extract ointment), the nitrofurazone (positive control), the Eucerin (base ointment), and the control group (no treatment). After anesthesia with ketamine-xylazine, the dorsal area was shaved, and a 1.5 cm diameter incision was made down to the muscle layer, followed by infection with 1 ml of Staphylococcus aureus. Wound treatments were administered for 21 days. Evaluations on days 7, 14, and 21 included: antibacterial testing (MIC), measurement of antioxidant activity using the DPPH method and calculation of IC₅₀, assessment of OS by measuring serum MDA using the TBARS test, histopathological examination (epithelialization, inflammation, collagen maturation, fibroblast count, angiogenesis), and macroscopic evaluation of wound contraction percentage using digital photography and ImageJ software.
Results: The MIC of parsley extract for bacterial growth was 12 mg/mL, and its IC₅₀ for free radicals was 37.25 mg/mL. The TBARS assay demonstrated that the MDA levels in the parsley group were significantly lower than those in the eserine and control groups (1289 ± 19519 and 1064 ± 18959 ng/mL, respectively, versus 3251 ± 80769 ng/mL in the control, p = 2.71). Histopathological evaluation revealed the highest percentage of epithelialization, the lowest inflammation, the greatest maturation of collagen fibers, and a significant increase in angiogenesis on day 14 in the parsley group compared to the other groups. Macroscopic findings also indicated the highest percentage of wound contraction in the parsley group.
Conclusion: Methanolic parsley extract, with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, accelerated the healing of infectious wounds and improved tissue repair quality in the animal model, suggesting it is a natural and low-side-effect option for treating this type of wound.

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Eltiam
Volume 12, Issue 1 - Serial Number 23
November 2025
Pages 155-171

  • Receive Date 01 July 2025
  • Revise Date 22 September 2025
  • Accept Date 06 October 2025
  • Publish Date 22 November 2025