A BSTRACT Burns are traumatic injuries that compromise the skin’s natural barrier, initiating a complex process of inflammation, proliferation, and tissue maturation. Second-degree burns, in particular, cause extensive tissue damage and require effective treatments that both accelerate healing and reduce pain. Traditionally, the Karo community has used Bangun-Bangun ( Coleus amboinicus ) leaves for wound care, owing to their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of a 10% Bangun-Bangun leaf extract (BBE) gel in managing pain and enhancing wound healing in Wistar rats with second-degree burns. It was hypothesized that BBE gel would provide better pain relief and faster recovery compared to standard therapies. A total of 54 Wistar rats were divided into three main groups: Base gel (negative control), Bioplacenton® (positive control), and 10% BBE gel (treatment). Each group was further separated into subgroups based on treatment duration (days 1–3, 1–14, and 1–21). Treatments were administered twice daily for 21 days. Pain levels were measured using a standard pain scale, whereas leukocyte migration was assessed through hematoxylin and eosin staining. Data were analyzed using SPSS with one-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests for normally distributed data, whereas nonparametric data were evaluated with the Kruskal–Wallis test. Pain reduction in the BBE gel group was not significantly different from Bioplacenton® ( P = 0.139). However, rats treated with BBE gel (Group-III) demonstrated significantly lower leukocyte counts compared to controls ( P = 0.010 for Group-I; P = 0.006 for Group-II), indicating improved inflammation control. Macroscopically, Group-III exhibited the fastest wound closure. A 10% BBE gel may serve as a promising, natural topical agent for second-degree burns by regulating inflammation and promoting healing. Further studies are required to explore its molecular mechanisms and safety profile.
Ritarwan et al. (Thu,) studied this question.