Fig. 5

Masson’s trichrome staining of the cutaneous tissue was performed to assess dermal collagen different experimental groups (A–K), as there was fine interlacing fibers (arrow) in the papillary (P) layer, and thick, irregular blue bundles (bold arrow parallel) to the surface in the reticular (R) layer. In group III (diabetic group), there were areas of deficient collagen deposition are seen beneath the epidermis (asterisk). l Mean area percentage of dermal collagen. n = 7 per group. Data are expressed as median (maximum and minimum), **significant compared to the control group at p<0.01, *significant compared to the control group at p<0.05, ^$$significant compared to the Sham group at p<0.01, ^#significant compared to the diabetic group at p<0.05, ^##significant compared to the diabetic group at p<0.01, ^££significant compared to groups IV and V at p<0.01, ~significant compared to group V at p<0.05, and ~~significant compared to group IV at p<0.01