Synergistic effects of green laser light and povidone-iodine photobiomodulation on wound healing

Photobiomodulation (PBM) with low-level laser therapy has emerged as a promising strategy to accelerate wound repair. This study evaluated the wound-healing potential of a 532 nm green laser, alone and combined with povidone-iodine, in Wistar rats. Six male rats were assigned to three groups: povidone-iodine only, laser only, and combined treatment. Full-thickness excisional wounds (1.5 × 1.5 cm2) were created and treated with three 5 min laser exposures at 15 min intervals. Wound closure was assessed on Days 1, 4, 7, 11, and 14, and histology was performed using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. By Day 14, wound contraction reached 75% in the combined group, 70% in the laser group, and 65% in the povidone-iodine group. Histology confirmed superior re-epithelialization, denser granulation tissue, and greater collagen deposition with combination therapy. These findings indicate that 532 nm green laser PBM, particularly with povidone-iodine, significantly accelerates wound healing and offers potential as an adjunctive clinical therapy.