Application of Honey for Wound Healing in Rats

Three groups of adult male Sprague Dawley rats each consist of ten animals. All animals were experimentally wounded in the posterior neck area. Pure unboiled honey was applied topically to wounds of Group 1 and Group 2 animals. In addition Group 1 also received oral administration of honey. Group 3 served as a control group and their wounds were dressed with saline solution only. The effects of honey on the rate of wound healing and rate of infections were assessed. Wounds treated with honey showed clean and remain sterile and healed earlier and much faster as compared to control group. Animals received honey topically and orally (Group 1) also showed wound healed early as compared with animals received honey topically only (Group 2). This was indicated by improve rates of contraction and a decreased period of epithelialization and result in minimal scar formation. These results strongly document the beneficial effects of honey for the acceleration of wound healing process, minimal scar formation, and the rates of wounds sterility.