Effect of Co-Administration of Vitamin E Isoforms d-α-Tocopherol and d-δ-Tocotrienol Rich Fraction on the Healing of Skin Wounds in Diabetic Rats

Normal wound healing involves sequence of events which is believed to be altered in diabetes due to hyperglycemia, infection and oxidative stress. The latter may be reduced by antioxidants which neutralize the chain formation of free radicals. Vitamin E is a well-known antioxidant and has saturated tocopherols and unsaturated tocotrienols. The most active form being the α-tocopherol. The present study was designed to explore the combined effect of d-α-tocopherol and d-δ-tocotrienol rich fraction (d-δ-TRF) on wound healing process in both healthy and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced with alloxan (100 mg/kg S. C). Twenty four albino rats were divided into four groups; healthy control, diabetic control, healthy treated and diabetic treated. Treated groups received 100 mg/kg of d-α-tocopherol and d-δ-TRF each orally and daily for 3 weeks. Under general anesthesia, full-thickness excisional skin wounds were created on the dorsal surface of thoracic region. Macroscopic and microscopic features of wound healing stages were recorded at weekly intervals and biochemical parameters were estimated at the end of 3 weeks. It was observed that as compared to control in the treated group there was early reappearance of epidermal and dermal components, reduced serum creatinine level, increased serum antioxidant status and total protein content and controlled glycemic status. It is concluded that oral co-administration of d-α-tocopherol and d-δ-TRF promotes skin wound healing in both healthy and diabetic rats through its antioxidant potency, therefore suggested that vitamin E isoforms hold promising future in the effective management of wounds in both otherwise healthy and diabetics.