The Effects of Bacillus subtilis Probiotic on Cutaneous Wound Healing in Rats

Background: The effect of several probiotics on diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including gastric ulcers is well reported. However, there are limited numbers of studies assessing the impact of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) probiotic on skin wound healing. Materials and Methods: Fifty male rats were assigned to 3 different groups randomly. A 1.5 cm longitudinal full thickness incision was made in the back of each rat. Two groups, experimental 1 and 2, were treated by B. subtilis probiotics that were added to Eucerin. A control group was treated with Eucerin without any probiotic. Clinical changes and histopathological effects of B. subtilis probiotics on wound healing were evaluated every day and on 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days post-operation respectively. Results: The percentage of wound healing in the experimental groups on day 7, when compared with the control group, was significant (p?0.05). In the remaining days, there was also a progressed increase in wound healing, but there was no significant difference between control and experimental groups. The difference in the number of immune cells (neutrophils, macrophage and lymphocytes) in the experimental groups on different days of the study was statistically significant when compared to the control group. Conclusion: The current studies demonstrate that B. subtilis probiotic is highly effective in enhancing skin ulcer healing. However, further studies would be necessary to elucidate the exact role of B. subtilis probiotic in would healing process.