Effects of topical application of pure and ozonized andiroba oil on experimentally induced wounds in horses

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and histopathological aspects of topical application of pure and ozonized andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis Aublet.) on the healing process of wounds in healthy horses. Eight 6.25 cm2 wounds were surgically produced on each horse, from the cranial region to the sacrum, being four wounds on each side of the lumbar region. In three animals, left side was used for macroscopic observations and area measurement and right side was used for histopathological analysis. For the other two animals, evaluations were inverted. The beginning of the topical treatment occurred 12 hours after surgical induction of the injuries and was maintained daily until complete healing of the wounds, using saline solution (GC), ozonized saline solution (GO) sequentially and bilaterally in the craniocaudal direction, pure andiroba oil (GAP) and ozonized andiroba oil (GAO). Randomly, the sequence of the treatments was modified. Macroscopic and histopathological analyses were performed at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after surgery. The time for complete healing of all wounds was recorded. A wound contraction of 67.75% for GC, 65.26% for GO, 67.91% for GAP, and 69.84% for GAO were recorded. Histopathologic evaluation revealed that wounds from the GAO and GAP had an advanced epithelialization, fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, moderate vascular proliferation, and presence of PMN infiltrate and discrete viewing of MN. It was possible to conclude that all treatments had benefits when comparing to control group, concluding that both pure and ozonized andiroba oil may be good options for treating wounds in horses.