Morphometric changes of hair follicles in rat excisional wounds treated by Hirudo verbana extract

The study investigated the regenerative potential of a water-salt extract of the medicinal leech Hirudo verbana in excisional skin wounds of rats, focusing on its influence on hair follicle restoration. Sixty male rats were divided into control and experimental groups, the latter receiving topical applications of the extract during wound healing. Histological and morphometric analyses were performed on days 3, 7, and 30 after injury. Treated animals showed earlier transition to the proliferative phase, improved skin structure, and increased density and diameter of hair follicles compared with the control group. By day 30, the number of follicles exceeded that of intact skin, indicating activation of follicular neogenesis and maturation. The therapeutic effect is associated with the bioactive compounds of the leech extract, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and regenerative activities, improving local circulation and tissue oxygenation. These findings demonstrate that Hirudo verbana extract effectively promotes hair follicle regeneration and accelerates the overall healing of excisional wounds. Due to its natural origin, safety, and multifunctional biological properties, it may serve as a promising biotechnological agent for skin repair and wound management.