A comparison between the effects of topical application ofhoney and that of amino acids on improving wound healing inaged rats: a histological and immunohistochemical study

IntroductionTreatment of chronic wounds caused by aging is particularly difficult and closure isoften delayed.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of topical application of honey andamino acids on wound healing in aged rats.Materials and methodsTwenty-four rats aged twenty four months were divided into three equal groups:A, B, and C. The animals were anesthetized with thiopental and their dorsal surfaceskin was shaved and cleaned with alcohol. Two full-thickness incisional wounds,one on each side of the dorsal midline, were made in each rat. In control animals(group A), the wounds were dressed with topical application of isotonic saline. Inrats of group B, each wound was dressed with 2 ml of plain honey. In rats of groupC, each wound was dressed with 2 ml of amino acid solution. Specimens weretaken after 3 and 8 days, processed, and stained with Mallory trichrome stain andimmunohistochemically for localization of vimentin-positive cells.ResultsOur data proved that topical application of both honey and amino acidsresulted in better tissue repair compared with application of isotonic saline.Moreover, dermal collagen deposition at the site of the wound and the number ofvimentin-positive fibroblasts and newly formed blood vessels were significantlyincreased in honey-dressed wounds compared with amino acid-dressed wounds.ConclusionApplication of honey could be a safe strategy for improving wound healing in oldpatients, simplifying therapeutic procedures.