Topical Mentha piperita Effects on Cutaneous Wound Healing: A Study on TGF-beta Expression and Clinical Outcomes

BACKGROUND Wound healing is a critical clinical concept. We aimed to evaluate the effects of topical Mentha piperita essence on cutaneous wound healing. METHODS This randomized controlled trial was conducted in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran in 2019. Square-shaped 1.5x1.5 cm wounds were made on the neck of 60 male Wistar rats in a sterile condition. Samples were randomly divided into a control group and three experimental groups. Group A treated with M. piperita essence and Vaseline. The second group received the M. piperita essence, and the third group received Vaseline. Histological specimens were obtained in 4th, 7th, and 14th days and were explored for fibroblasts, epithelial cells, inflammatory cells, and vessels. RTPCR was performed for molecular and gene expression evaluation of TGF-beta. RESULTS The M. piperita essence increases TGF-beta gene expression as an important factor in wound healing. After 14 d, group A, who received M. piperita and Vaseline, had 99.73% of wound healing with the mean wound size of 0.006 cm(2) while wound healing in the control group was only 52%. Samples treated with M. piperita have 74.58% wound healing following by group treated with Vaseline, which was 67.02% (P<0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION The application of the M. piperita essence for wound healing accelerates the process and improves outcomes.