Background: Corticosteroids as dexamethasone are used for treating non-specific inflammatory diseases, however, may result in delayed wound healing due to its catabolic effects in skin. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of quercetin on delayed wound healing in dexamethasone-treated rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were used. After dermal incisions within a distance of 1.5 mm to the spinal column (30 mm length), rats were treated with 0.17 mg/kg dexamethasone, 50 mg/kg quercetin or both until 21 days. Wound healing was evaluated by measuring surface area, percentage of healing, wound length, duration of healing, and wound tensile strength.

Results: Our results showed that the duration of wound healing was significantly increased in dexamethasone treated rats in comparison with control group. In contrast, the rate of healing and skin tensile strength in dexamethasone treated rats receiving quercetin was significantly greater than dexamethasone treated group. In addition, the duration of wound healing in the dexamethasone treated group receiving quercetin was less than dexamethasone group.

Conclusion: This study provides some evidence to support the use of quercetin to accelerating wound healing in dexamethasone treated animals. However, Further research is needed to determine the quercetin mechanisms in acceleration of wound healing.