Harnessing Manuka Honey: A Natural Remedy for Accelerated Burn Wound Healing in a Porcine Model

<b>Backgrounds:</b> Burn injuries present significant medical challenges due to their complexity in healing and potential for severe scarring. This study evaluates the efficacy of Manuka honey in accelerating burn wound healing compared to conventional antibiotic ointments. <b>Meth...

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Main Authors: Boris Privrodski, Mladen Jovanović, Nikola Delić, Radomir Ratajac, Vladimir Privrodski, Aleksandar Stanojković, Bernadeta Gavlik, Ivan Čapo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/296
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author Boris Privrodski
Mladen Jovanović
Nikola Delić
Radomir Ratajac
Vladimir Privrodski
Aleksandar Stanojković
Bernadeta Gavlik
Ivan Čapo
author_facet Boris Privrodski
Mladen Jovanović
Nikola Delić
Radomir Ratajac
Vladimir Privrodski
Aleksandar Stanojković
Bernadeta Gavlik
Ivan Čapo
author_sort Boris Privrodski
collection DOAJ
description <b>Backgrounds:</b> Burn injuries present significant medical challenges due to their complexity in healing and potential for severe scarring. This study evaluates the efficacy of Manuka honey in accelerating burn wound healing compared to conventional antibiotic ointments. <b>Methods:</b> Using a porcine model resembling human skin, nine Landrace breed female pigs with standardized deep dermal burns were treated with either Manuka honey in alginate or a combination of antibiotic ointments. Wound healing was assessed through macroscopic evaluation, a histopathological analysis, and immunohistochemical staining over a 60-day period. <b>Results</b>: Our findings indicate that the Manuka honey treatment was associated with significantly increased collagen density in the treated wounds compared to the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The immunohistochemical analysis revealed lower macrophage activity (Iba1 staining) and a reduction in Ki67 expression on days 10 and 17 in the Manuka honey group, suggesting a more rapid transition toward tissue remodeling. The quantitative analysis showed a trend toward delayed epithelialization and increased inflammation in the control group, while wounds treated with Manuka honey exhibited faster reepithelialization and improved epidermal regeneration. However, additional studies are required to further assess collagen fiber organization and overall dermal architecture. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings support the potential of Manuka honey as a beneficial treatment for burn wound healing, with evidence of enhanced reepithelialization and collagen deposition. Further research, including clinical trials, is necessary to fully elucidate its role in clinical practice and optimize treatment protocols.
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spelling doaj-art-760377b2981d45b4989dd3bb4dee10dd2025-08-20T01:48:45ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-02-0118329610.3390/ph18030296Harnessing Manuka Honey: A Natural Remedy for Accelerated Burn Wound Healing in a Porcine ModelBoris Privrodski0Mladen Jovanović1Nikola Delić2Radomir Ratajac3Vladimir Privrodski4Aleksandar Stanojković5Bernadeta Gavlik6Ivan Čapo7Institute for Children and Youth Health Care of Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Medicine Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaInstitute for Animal Husbandry Belgrade-Zemun, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaDepartment for Food Safety and Drug Analysis, Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad”, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaClinic for Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, University Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaInstitute for Animal Husbandry Belgrade-Zemun, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaGeneral Hospital in Vrbas, 21460 Vrbas, SerbiaFaculty of Medicine Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia<b>Backgrounds:</b> Burn injuries present significant medical challenges due to their complexity in healing and potential for severe scarring. This study evaluates the efficacy of Manuka honey in accelerating burn wound healing compared to conventional antibiotic ointments. <b>Methods:</b> Using a porcine model resembling human skin, nine Landrace breed female pigs with standardized deep dermal burns were treated with either Manuka honey in alginate or a combination of antibiotic ointments. Wound healing was assessed through macroscopic evaluation, a histopathological analysis, and immunohistochemical staining over a 60-day period. <b>Results</b>: Our findings indicate that the Manuka honey treatment was associated with significantly increased collagen density in the treated wounds compared to the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The immunohistochemical analysis revealed lower macrophage activity (Iba1 staining) and a reduction in Ki67 expression on days 10 and 17 in the Manuka honey group, suggesting a more rapid transition toward tissue remodeling. The quantitative analysis showed a trend toward delayed epithelialization and increased inflammation in the control group, while wounds treated with Manuka honey exhibited faster reepithelialization and improved epidermal regeneration. However, additional studies are required to further assess collagen fiber organization and overall dermal architecture. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings support the potential of Manuka honey as a beneficial treatment for burn wound healing, with evidence of enhanced reepithelialization and collagen deposition. Further research, including clinical trials, is necessary to fully elucidate its role in clinical practice and optimize treatment protocols.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/296burn woundsManuka honeytopical applicationporcine animal modelwound repairimmunohistochemistry
spellingShingle Boris Privrodski
Mladen Jovanović
Nikola Delić
Radomir Ratajac
Vladimir Privrodski
Aleksandar Stanojković
Bernadeta Gavlik
Ivan Čapo
Harnessing Manuka Honey: A Natural Remedy for Accelerated Burn Wound Healing in a Porcine Model
Pharmaceuticals
burn wounds
Manuka honey
topical application
porcine animal model
wound repair
immunohistochemistry
title Harnessing Manuka Honey: A Natural Remedy for Accelerated Burn Wound Healing in a Porcine Model
title_full Harnessing Manuka Honey: A Natural Remedy for Accelerated Burn Wound Healing in a Porcine Model
title_fullStr Harnessing Manuka Honey: A Natural Remedy for Accelerated Burn Wound Healing in a Porcine Model
title_full_unstemmed Harnessing Manuka Honey: A Natural Remedy for Accelerated Burn Wound Healing in a Porcine Model
title_short Harnessing Manuka Honey: A Natural Remedy for Accelerated Burn Wound Healing in a Porcine Model
title_sort harnessing manuka honey a natural remedy for accelerated burn wound healing in a porcine model
topic burn wounds
Manuka honey
topical application
porcine animal model
wound repair
immunohistochemistry
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/296
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