Enhancing Wound Healing and Reducing Staphylococcus Bacteria in Diabetic Patients: The Impact of VCO

Abstract

The delayed healing of wounds is a significant concern frequently encountered by individuals suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM). Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) has garnered considerable attention as a promising treatment for promoting wound healing, supported by both laboratory (in vitro) and real-world (in vivo) studies. However, the use of VCO in treating wounds in DM patients is notably lacking in the current medical literature. This study's main objective was to investigate the potential effectiveness of VCO in enhancing wound healing in DM patients. The research involved 16 patients, who were divided into two groups: the control group and the intervention group, with each group comprising 8 participants. Over a 4-day period, wound care protocols were implemented, and subsequently, an evaluation of wound size, wound characteristics, and the quantity of Staphylococcus bacterial colonies within the wounds was conducted. Data analysis was carried out using an independent t-test with the support of SPSS version 20. The study's results revealed that the mean wound size in the intervention group was 0.8 cm, in contrast to the control group where it averaged 3.4 cm. This significant difference in mean wound size between the two groups was observed, with a p-value of 0.033, signifying statistical significance. Furthermore, a notable discrepancy in the average count of Staphylococcus aureus bacterial colonies was detected, substantiated by a p-value of 0.000. Consequently, this investigation indicates that the utilization of VCO may have the potential to expedite the wound healing process in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, it is crucial to emphasize the need for further research efforts to elucidate the mechanisms by which VCO enhances wound healing and to validate these findings on a larger scale