The effect of topical magnesium on healing of pre-clinical burn wounds

Magnesium (Mg) is an essential factor in the healing process. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Mg creams on healing burn wounds in the rat model. To induce burns under general anaesthesia, a 2 × 2 cm2, 100 °C plate was placed for 12 s between the scapulas in 100 male adult Sprague Dawley rats. Animals were divided into five groups (n = 20); positive control (induced burn without treatment); vehicle control (received daily Eucerin cream base topically); comparative control (induced burn and treated daily with Alpha burn cream topically); Treatment 1 and 2 (received daily Mg cream 2% and 4% topically, respectively). All animals were bled for hematological assessment of malondialdehyde (MDA) and TNF-α and sacrificed on days 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21 after interventions for biomechanical, histological, and stereological studies. Stereologically speaking, in treatment groups an increase in dermal collagen volume and fibroblasts was noticed. In treatment groups, the length of vessels, angiogenesis, and skin stretch increased, but the wound area, MDA, and TNF-α level decreased. Mg cream was effective in healing burns. •Applying magnesium (2% and 4%) in burn wounds reduces the size of the wound.•Applying magnesium (2% and 4%) in burn wounds reduces the treatment period and accelerates wound healing.•Applying magnesium (2% and 4%) in burn wounds increases the number of fibroblasts and the volume of collagen.•Applying magnesium (2% and 4%) in burn wounds increases the length of blood vessels and blood flow.•Applying magnesium (2% and 4%) in burn wounds decreases the level of TNF-alphα and MDA.•Applying magnesium (2% and 4%) in burn wounds increases skin strength.