• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.376-380
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• 2000

This study was performed to investigate the effect of activated charcoal on wound healing in an experimentally induced skin wound model. Full-thickness, skin defects ($2 cm{\times}2 cm$) were made in two different areas on the back of eight New Zealand white rabbits. Eight of 16 wounds were treated with gauze-gauze-impregnated activated charocal granules, and another eight wounds were treated with gauze-soaked saline. Wound areas were measured every other day for 2 weeks after the wound-ing. Statistical analysis was performed with the student t-test. The mean percentage of wound con- traction on the 14th day in the activated charcoal-treaded group and in the saline treated group were 93.5% and 81_7%, respectively. The mean value of tensile, strength ell the 21s1 day after wounding was,42.70{\pm}0.8 kg/5cm^2$,/TEX> in the activated charcoal-treated group and $1.75 {\pm} 0.5 kg/5 cm^2$ in the saline treated group. Significantly reduced wound area (p<0.05) and high tensile strength value (P<0.O5) were observed in activated charcoal-treated group compared with those in the saline treated group. In summary activated charcoa1 significantly reduced the wound area an increased tensile strength in the rabbit 7kin wound model. These results suggest that application of activated charcoal in skill wounds will promote wound healing.