1Department of Pharmacology, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) Medical College and Hospital, Sangli, Maharashtra, India
Corresponding Author: Sachin G. Jagdale. Email: ngresearch.cology@gmail.com
Graphical Abstract: Metformin accelerates wound healing in an excision wound model in Wistar albino rats. Treatment enhanced wound contraction and reduced the epithelization period. The proposed mechanism involves activation of AMPK, increased eNOS activity and nitric oxide production, promoting angiogenesis and endothelial progenitor cell mobilization leading to improved tissue regeneration.
Background: Wound healing is a complicated physiological procedure that incorporates inflammation, proliferation and remodelling of tissue. Metabolic disorders and vascular dysfunction are usually linked to impaired wound healing. Metformin is a commonly used biguanide used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, which has been described to have a number of pleiotropic effects other than the glycemic control such as the ability to enhance endothelial function and the angiogenesis process.
Objective: The present study was aimed to evaluate the wound healing activity of metformin in Wistar albino rats using an excision wound model.
Methods: Twenty-four (180 ± 20 g) Wistar albino rats were randomly split into four groups (n = 6). Group I was the control which was given normal saline, and Groups II, III and IV were given metformin 30 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg and 90 mg/kg, respectively. Each rat had an incision wound on the back that was about 500 mm² in diameter and was made through the Morton and Malone method. On days 7, 14 and 21 post wounding, wound contraction was recorded. The time of the epithelization was noted as well. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM and analyzed using one-way ANOVA.
Results: Metformin treatment significantly enhanced wound contraction compared with the control group (p < 0.05) and reduced epithelization period. On day 7, wound closure percentages were 32.87 ± 10.42 in the control group and 79.52 ± 11.92, 81.42 ± 9.41, and 93.94 ± 3.72 in the metformin-treated groups (30, 60, and 90 mg/kg respectively). By day 14, wound closure increased to 93.36 ± 2.20, 95.80 ± 2.31, and 98.60 ± 0.47 in the treatment groups. The epithelization period was significantly reduced in metformin-treated animals (11–12.8 days) compared with control animals (20 days).
Conclusion: Metformin significantly accelerates wound healing by enhancing wound contraction and reducing the epithelization period in rats. These findings suggest that metformin may promote tissue repair through mechanisms involving improved endothelial function, enhanced angiogenesis, and activation of AMPK-mediated signaling pathways.
Keywords: Metformin, wound healing, angiogenesis, excision wound model, AMPK, endothelial progenitor cells
How to cite this article: Jagdale SG, Limaye RP, Kulkarni RP. Metformin Accelerates Wound Healing in Wistar Albino Rats: Evidence from an Excision Wound Model. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(13s): 539-545. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.13s.59
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None