Effect of povidone-iodine on wound healing in control, diabetic and steroid depressed rats.

A comparative study was made on the effect of povidone-iodine on wound healing in normal, diabetic and steroid depressed states in the excision wound model in rats. Healing was assessed by the rate of contraction of wounds and epithelialization after three weeks of topical application. Normal and diabetic groups were comparable (P < 0.02) concerning the above-mentioned parameters as well as collagen formation. The steroid group showed significant retardation in healing time (P < 0.001), epithelialization (P < 0.001) and collagen formation (P < 0.001) showing that povidone-iodine did not overcome the steroid effect.