Topical amiloride solution accelerates healing of mechanical skin ulcers in albino rats

The present investigation was undertaken to explore the ulcer healing prope rties of three dosage schedules of various concentrations of topically admi nistered amiloride solution in mechanically produced skin ulcers in albino rats. Four skin ulcers (two on either. side of the midline) were made 2.5 c m apart on the preshaved back of each each anesthetized rat with a round bo dy skirt biopsy punch (7 mm diameter) through the dermis to the depth of su bcutaneous tissue. The animals were randomly divided into groups of 5 rats each. Ulcers oil one side of the midline were treated with normal saline an d served as control, whereas those on the other side were treated with amil oride solutions. Each ulcer was observed for its size, slough formation and any sign of irritation on alternate days until healing was complete. Heali ng of ulcers was significantly accelerated with all the strengths of amilor ide (0.01, 0.02 and 0.04%) in all rite dosage schedules (o.d, b.i.d. and q. i.d.) in terms of days required for complete healing, ulcer size and area u nder the size-lime curve. This acceleration was dose-dependent with maximum effect at b.i.d, administration of 0.04% solution. No irritation or suppre ssion of immunity was noticeable. Thus topical amiloride may prove to be an inexpensive and better ulcer healing agent with no apparent side effects. Inhibition of u-PA by amiloride seems to be responsible for this effect, (C ) 2000 Prous Science. All rights reserved.