Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Aloe versus silver sulfadiazine creams for second-degree burns: A randomized controlled study

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Surgery Today Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Burn injury is associated with a high incidence of death and disability; yet its management remains problematic and costly. We conducted this clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of aloe vera cream for partial thickness burn wounds and compare its results with those of silver sulfadiazine (SSD).

Methods

Thirty patients with similar types of second-degree burns at two sites on different parts of the body were included in this study. Each patient had one burn treated with topical SSD and one treated with aloe cream, randomly.

Results

The rate of re-epithelialization and healing of the partial thickness burns was significantly faster in the site treated with aloe than in the site treated with SSD (15.9 ± 2 vs 18.73 ± 2.65 days, respectively; P < 0.0001). The sites treated with aloe were completely healed in less than 16 days vs 19 days for the sites treated with SSD.

Conclusion

These results clearly demonstrated the greater efficacy of aloe cream over SSD cream for treating second-degree burns.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gore MA, Akholekar D. Evaluation of banana leaf dressing for partial -thickness burn wounds. Burns 2003;29:487–492.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Khorasani G, Hosseinimehr SJ, Eghbalian A. Epidemiology and mortality of burns in the north of Iran. Res J Biol Sci 2007;2:519–522.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Vloemans AFPM, Soesman AM, Suijker M, Kreis RW, Middelkoop E. A randomized clinical trial comparing a hydrocolloid-derived dressing and glycerol preserved allograft skin in the management of partial thickness burn. Burns 2003;29:702–710.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Visuthikosol V, Chowchuen B, Sukwanarat Y, Sriurairatana S, Boonpucknavig V. Effect of aloe vera gel to healing of burn wound a clinical and histologic study. J Med Assoc Thai 1995;78:403–409.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Atiyeh BS, Costagliola M, Hayek SN, Dibo S. Effect of silver on burn wound infection control and healing: review of the literature. Burns 2007;33:139–148.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Klasen HJ. A historical review of the use of silver in the treatment of burns. II. Renewed interest for silver. Burns 2000;26:131–138.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Hu Q, Hu Y, Xu J. Free radical-scavenging activity of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) extracts by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Food Chem 2005;91:85–90.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Maenthaisong R, Chaiyakunapruk N, Niruntraporn S, Kongkaew C. The efficacy of aloe vera used for burn wound healing: a systematic review. Burns 2007;33:713–718.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Rodriguez-Bigas M, Cruz NI, Suarez A. Comparative evaluation of aloe vera in the management of burn wounds in guinea pigs. Plast Reconstr Surg 1988;81:389–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. West DP, Zhu Yf. Evaluation of aloe vera gel gloves in the treatment of dry skin associated with occupational exposure. Am J Infect Control 2003;31:40–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Agarry OO, Olaleye MT, Bello-Michael. Comparative antimicrobial activities of aloe vera gel and leaf. Afr J Biotechnol 2005;4:1413–1414.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Rosca-Casian O, Parvu M, Vlase L, Tmas M. Antifungal activity of aloe vera leaves. Fitoterapia 2007;78:219–222.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Chow JTN, Williamson DA, Yates KM, Goux WJ. Chemical characterization of the immunomodulating polysaccharide of aloe vera L. Carbohydrate Res 2005;340:1131–1142.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Habeeb F, Shakir E, Bradbury F, Cameron P, Taravati MR, Drummond AJ, et al. Screening methods used to determine the antimicrobial properties of Aloe vera inner gel. Methods 2007;42:315–320.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Muller MJ, Hollyoak MA, Moaveni Z, Brown LH, Herdon DN, Heggers JP. Retardation of wound healing by silver sulfadiazine is reversed by aloe vera and nystatin. Burns 2003;29:834–836.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Somboonwong J, Thanamittramanee S, Jariyapongskul A, Patumraj S. Therapeutic effects of Aloe vera on cutaneous microcirculation and wound healing in second degree burn model in rats. J Med Assoc Thai 2000;83:417–425.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Ulkür E, Oncül O, Karagöz H, Celiköz B, Cavuşlu S. Comparison of silver-coated dressing (acticoat), chlorhexidin acetate 0.5% (bactigrass), and silver sulfadiazine 1% (silverdin) for topical antibacterial effect in pseudomonas aeruginus-contaminated, full-skin thickness burn wounds in rats. J Burn Care Rehabil 2005;26:430–433.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Chaby G, Viseux V, Poulain JF, De Cagny B, Denoeux JP, Lok C. Topical silver sulfadiazine-induced acute renal failure. Ann Dermatol Vener 2005;132:891–893.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Fraser JF, Cuttle L, Kempf M, Kimble R. Cytotoxicity of topical antimicrobial agents used in burn wounds in Australia. Aust NZ J Surg 2004;74:139–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Trop M, Novak M, Rodl S, Hellbom B, Kroell W, Goessler W. Silver-coated dressing acticoat caused raised liver enzymes and argyria-like symptoms in burn patient. J Trauma 2006;60:648–652.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Chithra P, Sajithlal GB, Chandrakasan G. Influence of Aloe vera on the glycosaminoglycans in the matrix of healing dermal wounds in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 1998;59:179–186.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Chithra P, Sajithlal GB, Chandrakasan G. Influence of aloe vera on the healing of dermal wounds in diabetic rats. J Ethnopharmacol 1998;59:195–201.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Chithra P, Sajithlal GB, Chandrakasan G. Influence of aloe vera on collagen characteristics in healing dermal wounds in rats. Mol Cell Biochem 1998;181:71–76.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Choi SW, Son BW, Son YS, Park YI, Lee SK, Chung MH. The wound-healing effect of a glycoprotein fraction isolated from aloe vera. Br J Dermatol 2001;145:535–545.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Krishnan PK. The scientific study of herbal wound healing therapies: current state of play. Curr Anaesth Crit Care 2006;17:21–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. MacKay D, Miller A. Nutritional support for wound healing. Altern Med Rev 2003;8:359–377.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Duansak D, Somboonwong J, Patumraj S. Effects of aloe vera on leukocyte adhesion and TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in burn wounded rats. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2003;29:239–246.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Civelek A, Ak K, Kurtkaya O, Tekeli A, Isbir S, Nargileci E, et al. Effect of a low molecular weight heparin molecule, dalteparin, on cellular apoptosis and inflammatory process in an incisional wound-healing model. Surg Today 2007;37(5):406–411.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Seyed Jalal Hosseinimehr.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Khorasani, G., Hosseinimehr, S.J., Azadbakht, M. et al. Aloe versus silver sulfadiazine creams for second-degree burns: A randomized controlled study. Surg Today 39, 587–591 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-008-3944-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-008-3944-y

Key words

Navigation