Background and purpose: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with several complications, such as delayed wound healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral administration and topical application of hydroalcoholic extract of Melissa officinalis on cutaneous wound healing and serum biochemical changes in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods: In this experimental study thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of control, diabetic control, and diabetic treatment. After anesthesia, full-thickness pieces of skin (25×25 mm) were removed from upper dorsal part of the rats. Subsequently, 24 h after the operation, the wounds of the diabetic group were locally treated with topical application of 5% cream and oral administration of Melissa officinalis extract (2500 mg/kg) was performed by gavage, daily for three weeks. The control and diabetic control groups received no treatment. The wound surface areas were measured using linear and photographic methods on days 4, 7, 14, and 21. Incisional biopsies were performed to evaluate the wound healing rate and for histopathologic examination. Finally, blood samples were taken to measure the serum glucose level and biochemical factors including triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase using standard methods.

Results: According to the results, administration of Melissa officinalis extract significantly reduced glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and creatine phosphokinase levels in the diabetic group (P<0.05). Additionally, the histopathological study showed that the collagen fibers density and wound healing increased in the diabetic treatment group.

Conclusion: As the findings indicated, oral and topical administrations of Melissa officinalis extract accelerated the wound healing process and may act as an cardioprotective agent.