Efficacy of the combination of herbal extracts and a silicone derivative in the treatment of hypertrophic scar formation after burn injury

The development of hypertrophic scars is an unsolved problem in the process of wound healing. The objective of this research was to study the efficacy of the combination of herbal extracts and a silicone derivative in a gel preparation (Cybele (R) Scagel) on the treatment of deep second degree burns after complete epithelialization. Sixty-three patients were enrolled in this study. One wound area larger than 10 x 10 cm was selected from each patient to receive treatment with Cybele (R) Scagel. Patients were observed for pigmentation, pliability, pain and itching for 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks after treatment. Their data and wound characteristics were collected during each visit using the Vancouver scar scale. After 24 weeks, all scales (pigmentation, pliability, pain and itching) were significantly lower in the sites treated with Cybele (R) Scagel compared with the previous time points (p< 0.05). However, vascularity and height scale were not significantly different (p> 0.05). One patient was excluded at week 2 because of moderate itching at the wound site, which could have interfered with the evaluation. The application of Cybele (R) Scagel might have some beneficial effects for prevention of hypertrophic scar formation after partial thickness burn injuries.