Apitherapy of Septic Metacarpal and Metatarsal Wounds (An Experimental Study on Donkeys)

Non-healed wounds are a significant problem in the healthcare system of the distal portions of the limbs. Nine types of honey were tested for wound healing judged by clinical gross healing parameters, rate of wound contraction and sings of epithelization histopathologically. Rounded full thickness skin wounds (1.5cm diameter) were performed at the distal portion of limbs. The wounds were infected by standard dose of MRSA (methicillin resistance Staph. aureus) for 72 hours. The tested types of honey were tested for MIC & MBC against clinical MRSA strain. Different types of honey were applied unprocessed as daily topical wound dressing for the infected wounds. Propolis with black seed honey followed by Hadramout sidr honey, then Egyptian sidr honey proved to have the most antimicrobial activity. Clinical healing appearance revealed that propolis with black seed honey, Egyptian sidr honey and Hadramout sidr honey showed the most preferable clinical parameters (gross appearance and rate of wound contraction), and histopathologically achieved the best healing epithelization 28 days after treatment. The study concluded that among different nine honey types retailed in Egyptian markets, all tested honey types had wound healing activities but with different potencies. Propolis with black seed, Egyptian sidr honey and Hadramout honey were the most potent with highly significance differences (P < 0.01), since achieving the most wound contraction rates, rapid epithelization post 28 days rather than the least MICs & MBCs values. While the marjoram and clover honey were the least effective.