RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chlorella vulgaris (CV) is a green microalgae enriched with nutrients, vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll. The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential wound healing effects of CV as a dressing while comparing it to sodium alginate dressing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups consisting of control (normal-wound with no dressing), CV and sodium alginate dressings. Wound was created on the dorsal surface of rats using a 6-mm sterilized punch biopsy. The wounds were examined on days 3, 6, 9 and 12 for dryness, exudation, contraction, period of epithelialization, complete wound closure and scar formation. All rats were sacrificed on day 12 and the granulation tissue formed on the wound was excised for the histological examination using Hematoxylin and Eosin stain (H&E). RESULTS: The wound's size treated with CV dressing was significantly reduced (p<0.05) compared to the control and sodium alginate treated wounds. H&E staining showed that CV dressing minimized the formation of scar tissue during the healing process. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the complete wound closure and period of epithelialization among the groups, a significant difference was observed regarding the dryness, exudation and scar formation in the wound. CONCLUSION: CV extract can be used as an effective supplement for wound dressing.