Honey for Wound Healing, Ulcers, and Burns; Data Supporting Its Use in Clinical Practice

Journal Article

Ghamdi, Ahmad Al Khazim Al . 2011

• المجلة \ الصحيفة: The Scientific World JOURNAL
• رقم العدد: 11
• رقم الإصدار السنوي: 2011
• الصفحات: 766-787

مستخلص المنشور

The widespread existence of unhealed wounds, ulcers, and burns has a great impact on
public health and economy. Many interventions, including new medications and
technologies, are being used to help achieve significant wound healing and to eliminate
infections. Therefore, to find an intervention that has both therapeutic effect on the
healing process and the ability to kill microbes is of great value. Honey is a natural
product that has been recently introduced in modern medical practice. Honey’s
antibacterial properties and its effects on wound healing have been thoroughly
investigated. Laboratory studies and clinical trials have shown that honey is an effective
broad-spectrum antibacterial agent. This paper reviews data that support the
effectiveness of natural honey in wound healing and its ability to sterilize infected
wounds. Studies on the therapeutic effects of honey collected in different geographical
areas on skin wounds, skin and gastric ulcers, and burns are reviewed and mechanisms
of action are discussed. (Ulcers and burns are included as an example of challenging
wounds.) The data show that the wound healing properties of honey include stimulation
of tissue growth, enhanced epithelialization, and minimized scar formation. These effects
are ascribed to honey’s acidity, hydrogen peroxide content, osmotic effect, nutritional
and antioxidant contents, stimulation of immunity, and to unidentified compounds.
Prostaglandins and nitric oxide play a major role in inflammation, microbial killing, and
the healing process. Honey was found to lower prostaglandin levels and elevate nitric
oxide end products. These properties might help to explain some biological and
therapeutic properties of honey, particularly as an antibacterial agent or wound healer.
The data presented here demonstrate that honeys from different geographical areas have
considerable therapeutic effects on chronic wounds, ulcers, and burns. The results
encourage the use of honey in clinical practice as a natural and safe wound healer.