Analgesis and wound healing effect of chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan on scalded rats were investigated. A II degree scald model was established in rats, which was subsequently treated with chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan solution, respectively. The concentration of bradykinin and 5-hydroxytryptophan was detected by assaying enzyme-linked immunosorbent. Healing condition was observed and pathological sections were made to determine the healing effect of chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan. Results showed that the concentration of bradykinin and 5-hydroxytryptophan peaked at the third hour post-wound in all groups, while the concentration of hydroxyproline peaked at the seventh day post-wound in both chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan group. The concentration of bradykinin and 5-hydroxytryptophan of carboxymethyl chitosan group was significantly lower than that of control(P < 0.05), while that of chitosan group was similar to that of control(P > 0.05). These findings indicated that carboxymethyl chitosan reduced the concentration of algogenic substances, resulting in analgesia. During the whole recovery process, the hydroxyproline concentration in chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan group on day 3 and 7 was significantly higher than that of control(P < 0.01); however the significance of such a highness decreased on day 14(P < 0.05). These findings indicated that chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan accelerated tissue repair. Meanwhile, chitosan performed better in healing than carboxymethyl chitosan in both decrustation and healing time. In conclusion, carboxymethyl chitosan showed significant analgesis and wound-healing promotion effect, but chitosan only showed wound-healing promotion effect.
