https://doi.org/10.1177/1534734618782827 The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds 2018, Vol. 17(2) 71–77 © The Author(s) 2018 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1534734618782827 journals.sagepub.com/home/ijl Basic and Experimental Science Burns and wounds are the most devastating injuries that cause many physical, psychological, social, and economical complications. 1 So far, numerous methods of treatment have been used for controlling and treatment of wounds. The use of chemical drugs such as silver sulfadiazine, Alpha, hydrocortisone, and many others are usually fol- lowed by side effects such as allergic reactions and drug resistance. 2-4 Hence, researchers have tried to search for other novel drugs. 5-9 Recently, the use of nonchemical treat- ments (natural biological products and herbal extracts) has been increasingly become common and popular among doctors and patients who seek traditional treatment meth- ods. In addition, the number visits to practitioners of tradi- tional medicine in the United States is increasing rapidly. 10,11 Due to few side effects and ease of use, the history of tradi- tional medicine goes back to more than 5000 years. In the modern-day, advanced world of medicine, an estimated 50% of people still use a variety of traditional medicine methods and most of them do not inform their doctor about such use. 12 The use of spider silk proteins as a wound dress- ing promotes the growth and repair of peripheral nerve by Schwann cells. Researchers have found that spider webs make the nerves heal faster and more regular, cause further growth of Schwann cells, and finally accelerate the repair of peripheral nerves. 13 Studies have shown that silk has prop- erties of a super strong scaffold. In addition, silk contains very important filamentous molecular proteins such as spi- der silk protein eADF4 (C16), which is a very suitable sol- uble colloidal environment for delivery of drugs, especially those for burn and wound healing. 14 Because of its biome- chanical, bioengineering, and bioactivity properties, silk has many applications in the medical industry. This is because of its special molecular properties causing high strength, resistance, and flexibility, and silk fibers can be extended to 3 times in length. 15,16 Studies have shown that silk can be used as a wound cover because of its special dynamic and biomaterial properties. 17,18 782827IJL XX X 10.1177/1534734618782827The International Journal of Lower Extremity WoundsSetooni et al research-article 2018 1 Department of Biology, Payame Noor University, Bushehr center, Bushehr, Iran 2 Young researchers and elite club, Bushehr branch, Islamic azad University, Bushehr, Iran 3 Student researches committee, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran 4 The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran 5 Department of Biology and Anatomical sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran Corresponding Author: Parviz Farzadinia,PhD, Department of Biology and Anatomical sciences, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Boostan 19 Alleys Imam-Khomeini St., P. O. Box 75147-63448, Bushehr, Iran. Email: bazzy_par@yahoo.com Evaluation of Wound Dressing Made From Spider Silk Protein Using in a Rabbit Model Zahra Setooni, BSc 1 , Mostafa Mohammadi, MSc 2 , Arman Hashemi, MD 3 , Mohammad Hashemi, MD 3 , Fateme Mozafari, MD 3 , Fateme Simi, MD 3 , Afshar Bargahi, PhD 4 , Adel Daneshi, MSc 4 , Mohammad Reza Hajiani-E-Asl, MSc 4 , and Parviz Farzadinia, PhD 5 Abstract The aim of the present article was to study the healing of wounds using spider silk. Eight New Zealand female rabbits were selected as animal model. First, 3 identical wounds with length of 15 mm and a depth of 4 mm on the back of each rabbit were created. The first group, as standard control, did not receive any special treatment, they were treated only with saline and Vaseline locally. The second group, as positive control, received a thin film of phenytoin 1% ointment locally. The third group, as treated group, received a thin film of spider silk protein. At the end of the study, a biopsy of skin was done. After tissue preparation, all sections were evaluated. Some morphometrical parameters such as counting cells, fibroblasts, blood vessels, determination of the area of the wound closure, necrotic tissue, speed of wound healing, and epidermal thickness were done, and for data statistical analysis, SPSS software and Excel software were used. The results of this study showed that spider silk dressing may benefit as a possible effect of nanoparticles in the test preparation in wound healing. Keywords rabbit, spider silk, wound dressing, wound healing