BACKGROUND: Pfaffia glomerata is a plant used in folk medicine as tonic, antidiabetic, to improve the healing process, neutralize stomach upset and antirheumatic. AIM: To compare the wound contraction and the neovascularization with the use of plant extract of Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen, Amaranthaceae, and low power laser in rats. METHODS: It was used 40 Wistar rats in which surgical wounds with a punch of 3 mm in diameter at the top right of the back and no substance was applied at this site, and similar wounds in the lower left side had applicated extract of P. glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen, Amaranthaceae, control groups and plants in the same animal. Another 40 animals had the low power laser application. On dates scheduled within 48 hours, one, two and three weeks measures were taken and wound contraction observed. Microscopic results were analyzed using immunohistochemistry with Factor VIII to observe the vascular density. RESULTS: It was possible to observe macroscopically no statistic significant difference with respect to the contraction of the wound between the groups plant and laser, both getting better results than the control group. This variable showed a statistical significance with the laser group when was compared the subgroups 48 hours X one week (p=0,008). Statistical analysis of Factor VIII showed an statistic significance in subgroup one week of the plant with the laser (p=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistic significant difference between the plant and laser groups with respect to contraction of the wound. On microscopic analysis, the group plant earned more than the laser group with relation to neovascularization in subgroup one week, and after that occured a balance between them.
Surgery; Rats; Phytotherapy; Laser; Comparative study
