Effect of topical mixture of honey, royal jelly and olive oil-propolis extract on skin wound healing in diabetic rats

Abstract

Abstract Background Diabetic wound is a common complication of diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of topical application of mixture of honey, royal jelly and olive oil-propolis extract (Nika cream) on cutaneous wound healing in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods In this interventional study, we prepared a new composition ointment entitled Nika cream. 42 Wistar male rats were divided randomly in normal and diabetic groups. Next, diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg kg−1 body weight). The diabetic rats with marked hyperglycemia (serum glucose more than 200 mg/dl) were selected for the study. After anesthesia, full thickness skin of upper dorsal part of the rats was removed in 2 cm × 2 cm area. 24 h after the operation, wound in each animal was treated daily with Nika cream and phenytoin 1% in normal and diabetic groups. Control group received no treatment. Wound surface area was measured until 24th postoperative day. The time required for the completion of healing was also recorded. Results We demonstrated that Nika cream had distinct and non-exchangeable functions during the wound healing process. The progress of wound healing in diabetic animals was slower than in normal animals, and also healing effect of Nika cream compared with control and normal phenytoin 1% and diabetic test groups was significant (P Conclusion The results showed that Nika cream accelerate the wound healing in normal and diabetic subjects.