Gelam (Melaleuca spp.) Honey-Based Hydrogel as Burn Wound Dressing

• Published in: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine Vol. 2012; no. 2012; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: Mohamed Mustapha, Noordin, Yusof, Norimah, Abu Bakar Zakaria, Md Zuki, Mohd Zohdi, Rozaini, Abdullah, Muhammad Nazrul Hakim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 01.01.2012; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Apis mellifera; Biomedical materials; Crosslinking polymerization; Cytokines; Electron irradiation; Gene expression; Honey; Hydrogels; Inflammation; Inflammatory response; Interleukin 6; Irradiation; Medical dressings; Medical research; Melaleuca; Molecular chains; Molecular weight; Physical properties; Phytochemicals; Polyethylene glycol; Polymerase chain reaction; Radiation; Skin; Veterinary medicine; Wound healing; Malaysia
• ISSN: 1741-427X; 1741-4288
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/843025

A novel cross-linked honey hydrogel dressing was developed by incorporating Malaysian honey into hydrogel dressing formulation, cross-linked and sterilized using electron beam irradiation (25 kGy). In this study, the physical properties of the prepared honey hydrogel and its wound healing efficacy on deep partial thickness burn wounds in rats were assessed. Skin samples were taken at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after burn for histopathological and molecular evaluations. Application of honey hydrogel dressings significantly enhanced (P<0.05) wound closure and accelerated the rate of re-epithelialization as compared to control hydrogel and OpSite film dressing. A significant decrease in inflammatory response was observed in honey hydrogel treated wounds as early as 7 days after burn (P<0.05). Semiquantitative analysis using RT-PCR revealed that treatment with honey hydrogel significantly (P<0.05) suppressed the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-6). The present study substantiates the potential efficacy of honey hydrogel dressings in accelerating burn wound healing.