Dose Topically Administration of Propolis Could Improve the Impaired Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats?

Background: The impaired wound healing in diabetes mellitus is a major clinical problem. Propolis is a mixture collected from trees by the honey bee, which has important pharmacological characteristic. Objectives: This study investigated whether topical administration of propolis could improve the impaired wound healing in diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Full-thickness skin wounds were created on the backs of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were then divided into 2 groups: propolis-treated group that was topically administered and a control group without propolis administration. Improvement percentage and morphometric parameters of skin wound were estimated. Results: Wound closure was significantly accelerated by topical administration of propolis. In propolis-treated wounds there were significant increases in collagen regeneration, new blood vessel numbers, and epithelialization compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Propolis can improve the impaired healing of diabetic wounds. This effect might involve an increase in the collagen regeneration, new blood vessel numbers, and epithelialization. Therefore, the use of propolis may be extended to the clinical setting and prove an effective promoter of wound healing in patients with diabetes.