Cotton medical bandages for treating third-degree burns

Abstract

Burn injuries remain a major clinical challenge due to extensive tissue destruction, prolonged inflammation, and high susceptibility to infection. The present study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a cotton dressing infused with a topical cream derived from the root extract of Carthamus caeruleus (Asteraceae), a plant traditionally used in Algeria for burn healing. A controlled experimental third-degree burn model was induced in Wistar rats, which were then distributed into three groups: Ointment + Cotton Dressing (OCD), Positive Control using Biafine + tulle gras (PC), and Negative Control without treatment (NC). Healing progression was monitored clinically, macroscopically, and quantitatively over a 30-day period. The OCD group exhibited accelerated scab detachment, earlier formation of healthy granulation tissue, faster re-epithelialization, and complete wound closure with natural hair regrowth by Day 30, whereas PC animals showed incomplete healing and NC animals developed chronic ulcers with persistent necrosis. Wound contraction reached 100% in the OCD group, compared with 71% in PC and 59% in NC. Bodyweight recovery was also earlier and more stable in the OCD group, reflecting better systemic well-being during the inflammatory and proliferative phases.