Effects of a Mixture of Acacia Honey and Povidone-Iodine on the Healing of Full Thickness Skin Wound in Normal and Dexamethasone Treated Rabbits

Honey is considered as the oldest known traditional medicine being used for a variety of illnesses and healing of wounds. A total of 40 rabbits were divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D) to perform two experiments. Two wounds of full-thickness with the dimensions of 1 x 1 cm (1 cm(2)), were created on right and left lateral sides of the trunk, comprising 4 wounds on each rabbit. Wounds of group A, B, C and D were treated with pyrogen free normal saline, 0.05% PI gel, certified Acacia honey and H-PImxr (an equal volume mixture of Acacia honey + Pyodine gel) respectively. Significant differences were found among four treatments with respect to contraction, granulation tissue, tensile strength, healing time and hydroxyproline contents measurement in both experiments. Honey and povidone mixture treated animals showed significantly improved wound contraction, healing time, tensile strength and hydroxyproline measurements in dexamethasone treated group. In normal group, honey treated animals have significantly reduced wound healing time than the honey and povidone treated animals in dexamethasone treated animals. In normal group, honey and povidone treated animals exhibited significantly improved results for wound contraction, tensile strength as compared to animals treated with honey alone. Honey in combination with povidone enhanced wound healing by improving wound contraction rate, tensile strength, hydroxyproline contents and by reducing wound healing time. The use of honey in combination with povidone iodine instead of using either honey or povidone alone for future treatment of wounds in normal and dexamethasone treated animals is suggested.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated significant benefits of using honey and povidone iodine mixture for wound healing, including improved wound contraction rate, tensile strength, hydroxyproline content, and shorter healing time. It is suggested that the combination of honey and povidone iodine should be considered for future wound treatment instead of using honey or povidone alone.