The aim of this study was to evaluate the scarring capability of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) on experimental skin wounds in 15 rabbits, distributed in three groups: excipient, marigold and control. Each animal was subjected to a surgical incision measuring 6cm in length, laterally to the spinal column and sutured in U-shape. Products evaluated were placed on the incisions for 7 days, at a rate of 0.1ml (nonionic creamy lotion - excipient group; 5% marigold extract) and no treatment was provided to control animals. Skin biopsy was performed on 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after wounding, for morphometric and cicatricial process evaluations. The morphometry was performed with an optical microscope adapted to a computadorized picture analysis system. The results showed that marigold allowed the highest growth rate in cells directly involved in the cicatricial process, the fibroblasts and fibrocytes and can therefore be considered the most satisfactory on the wound healing in comparison to the other treatments.
marigold; wound healing; rabbits; fibroblasts; fibrocytes; morphometry
