Formulation and Evaluation of Allicin and Curcumin Gel Improves Normal and Diabetic Ulcers in Rabbits

Allicin is one of the pharmacologically active sulfur compound of Allium sativum and curcumin, the main curcuminoid of Curcuma longa. Both are used extensively as a household remedy for the wound care and diabetes mellitus in the sub-continent. The goal of this study was to have a preparation that is inexpensive to prepare so that individuals at risk for the development of non-healing skin ulcers can utilize it on a long-term basis as a wound preventative. A 20% w/v gel of each (allicin: curcumin with optimized ratio 1: 2) was made using Carbopol-940 in the concentration of 5% and evaluated for normal and diabetic wounds. The potential of allicin and curcumin gel (ACG) treatment was studied against experimentally induced excision wound on the thigh of rabbits under ketamine anesthesia. The decrease in wound size was judged by using a scale. Rabbits were divided into six Groups (6 rabbits each). Group 1 (normal wound) and Group 2 (diabetic wound) treated with povidone-iodine (PI), Group 3 (normal wound) and Group 4 (diabetic wound) were treated with ACG and Group 5 (normal wound) and Group 6 (diabetic wound) treated with distilled water. After 9th post wounding day, ACG exhibited better and significant wound healing (p < 0.05) against normal and diabetic wounds. We concluded that the gel of allicin and curcumin possess excellent wound healing activity and can be used as an alternative medicine for wound care.