Effects of the application of Aloe vera (L.) and microcurrent on the healing of wounds surgically induced in Wistar rats

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of topical application of an Aloe vera gel combined or not with microcurrent application on the healing of skin wounds surgically induced in Wistar rats. METHODS: The animals were randomly divided into the following groups: control group, animals topically treated with Aloe vera, animals treated with a microcurrent, and animals receiving topical application of Aloe vera combined with microcurrent application. RESULTS: The results indicated differences in wound healing between the various treatments when compared to the control group. Tissue hyperplasia was lower in the control group compared to the other treated groups. Accelerated wound healing was observed in the group treated with Aloe vera compared to control. Animals submitted to microcurrent application only and the group treated with microcurrent plus Aloe vera presented an earlier onset of the proliferative phase compared to the control group and animals treated with Aloe vera gel alone. Morphometric data confirmed the structural findings. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous application of Aloe vera gel and microcurrent is an excellent choice for the treatment of open wounds thus indicating a synergistic action of these two applications