Propolis and bee venom in diabetic wounds; a potential approach that warrants clinical investigation

Journal Article

Al-Waili, Noori Al-Waili, Wael N. Hozzein, Gamal Badr, Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, Hamza Al-Waili, Khelod Salom, Thia . 2015

• المجلة \ الصحيفة: African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines
• رقم العدد: 6
• رقم الإصدار السنوي: 12
• الصفحات: 1-11

مستخلص المنشور

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a systemic metabolic disease that is characterized by alterations in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and
lipids. DM compromises the immune system, increases the incidence of infection, and impairs wound healing. Many factors are involved in
influencing the prevalence of DM; these include age, sex, genetic susceptibility, socioeconomic status, modern lifestyle and environmental factors
(Zargar et al., 2000; Kadiki and Roaeid 2001).
In spite of modern interventions, complication of DM leads to blindness, amputation of limbs, end stage renal disease, and coronary artery
disease. In diabetic wounds, DM compromises migration of leukocytes, impairs phagocytosis, increases oxidative stress (OS), causes advanced
glycosylation of protein and enzymes, and exaggerates inflammatory response to microbial products (Soory, 2002) (Figure 1). In clinical practice,
modern interventions such as daily wound care, hyperbaric oxygen, biological dressing, and surgery have limited success in the management of
diabetic wounds. Furthermore, several types of wound dressing that are commercially available showed side effects and drawbacks (Young et al.,
1991; Chakravarthy et al., 1994). New approach that includes nitric oxide (NO)-releasing materials is still under investigation (Shabani et al. 2001;
Carpenter and Schoenfisch, 2012).
Consistent efforts to identify naturally occurring bioactive substances to treat human diseases have led to the discovery of potent natural
products with marked bioactive properties. In this regard, bee products that include propolis, royal jelly, honey, beeswax, and bee pollen, are active
biological substances that have a great potential to be used as an important part of diseases` management. These natural substances have been used
for thousands of years by human cultures for the treatment of various diseases. Honey in particular has been mentioned in Holy books as a healer of
diseases. It was mentioned in the Talmud, both the old and new testaments of the Bible, and in the Holy Quran. In the Surat Al-Nahel (The Bee) it
says: And thy LORD taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees and in men’s habitations, then to eat of all the produce (fruits) of the earth and
find with skill the spacious paths of its LORD,