Chestnut Honey and Sherbet Enhance the Healing of Burn Wounds in Rat Model

Abstract

Purpose: Honey has been used throughout the history both as a food and a therapeutic product due to its nutritional value and its bioactivity. The honeys with high bioactivity are used by complementary medicine practitioners in developed countries. Wound care in modern medicine is achieved by using adsorbents, impregnated dressings, foams, hydrogels and hydrocolloids; however, a major problem in wound treatment is the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the wound area. Honey is the most commonly used agent for wound treatment in traditional and complementary medicine. Both the osmotic and high acidity properties of honey, as well as the organic compounds, exert an accelerator effect in the sterilization and healing of the wound. The aim of this study was to examine the healing potential of high bioactivity chestnut honey on topical burn wounds in a rat model. Methods: Rats were induced with burn wounds and divided into four groups for treatment: saline dressing; honey dressing; Ag sulfadiazine; and, honey dressing + sherbet. Microscopic analysis of the wound healing was performed through monitoring the skin epithelialization, granulation, neovascularization, inflammation, and fibroblast maturation via immunohistochemical methods. Results: The group treated with honey dressing + sherbet showed the most rapid and effective healing of the burn wound. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, the chestnut honey, with its high bioactivity, can be used as a complementary approach to the conventional treatment methods in future studies and eventually clinical trials.