A study on the effect of Haruan fish extract (Channa striatus) on wound healing and quality of life of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Wound healing remains a primary problem in all surgical cases especially so when the length of incision is very significant as with cardiac bypass patients. The main objective of this study is therefore to assess the effect of Haruan fish extract (Channa striatus) on chest and leg wounds post-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery with the optimum and standard patient care in two groups of randomized patients. Methods: This is a randomized, double blind clinical trial being conducted at the National Heart Institute, Kuala Lumpur. Two randomized groups of similar demographic and co-morbid histories planned for CABG were enrolled into the study. Both groups were blinded to the capsules being given to them pre- and post-operatively. Assessments were also made on wound pain, mobilization and on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP).   Results: The group that received Haruan capsule showed better would healing objectively. They had better pain scores, though there was no significant difference in terms of mobilization. Overall, the HRQOL in the study group showed improved quality of life.   Conclusion: Our study shows the superior effect of using Channa striatus, a local Haruan fish which is easily processed into capsules in promoting wound healing, reducing pain via its anti-nociceptive effect and improving quality of life of patients after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. It is inferred that a faster recovery from surgery confers an advantage in terms of resources to overall economic benefits. Reduction in the percentage of wound infection also resulted in reduced hospital cost. All these factors could lead to the successful commercialization of Haruan as a nutraceutical product. Trial registration: The trial was conducted from January 2012 until August 2014 and the trial number as registered with the National Medical Research Registry is NMRR-17-360-34772 (Registered 13/03/2017).