The statistical comparison was made with ANOVA. The result were considered as significant P≤0.05. Ten and 20 days later, the rabbits were anaesthesied and the skin tissue biopsy samples were collected from rabbits for histopathological examinations. The samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, and were cut into 5 µm sections and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and examined microscopically ⁹.

Click Here to Zoom

Figure 1: The wound healing rates of propolis (p)were higher than treatment (ss) and control (c) groups.

Click Here to Zoom

Table 1: Changes in wound sizes of three groups during the healing periods (n=10).

At the 10th day of experiment, histopatologically; there was infilammatory reaction including lymphocytes, macrophages and neutrophiles and fibroblastic loose connective tissue in dermis of all groups examined. The severity of the reaction in propolis group was lower severe than SS and control group. In control group, inflammatorry cells were abundant and completely filled the gap of wound. Connective tissue between the wound margins and surface debris were also more voluminous in control and SS groups than propolis group. At the 20th day of experiment, the epithelial and dermal healing was completed in propolis group and better than both control and SS groups. Both dermis and epidermis were completely regenerated in this group (Figure 2). The appearence of the skin was completely normal except for the decreased epidermal thickness. In SS and control groups, the surface was covered by scab and epidermal regeneration was not completed (Figure 3). In control group; dermal and epidermal regeneration was also retarded as compared to SS and propolis groups (Figure 4).

Click Here to Zoom

Figure 2: Complete dermal and epidermal regeneration characterized by full thickness of epithelial covering and non-vascular scar in dermis, in propolis group, H&E.

Click Here to Zoom

Figure 3: Complete dermal and incomplete epidermal regeneration with surface debris, in SS group, H&E.

Click Here to Zoom

Figure 4: Incomplete dermal and epidermal regeneration characterized by capillary proliferation and crust formation, in control group, H&E.

The propolis skin cream appears to have a beneficial effects on healing burn wounds ^10,12,13. It was also reported that propolis has a therapeutic effect on wound healing, inflammations of the skin and other skin lesions ^1,4. In this study, all wound sites was healed in17 days after surgery. The wound contraction and wound healing rates of propolis were higher than other groups.

According to the results of the present study, including macroscopical, qualitative, and microscopical analyses propolis has a higher healing performance than other groups.

1) Castaldo S, Capasso F. Propolis, an old remedy used in modern medicine. Fitoterapia 2002; 73: 1-6.

2) Kartal M, Yıldız S, Kaya S. ve ark. Antimicrobial activity of propolis samples from two different regions of Anatolia. J. Ethnopharmacol 2003; 86: 69-73.

3) Kooa H, Gomesa BP, Rosalen PL et al. In vitro antimicrobial activity of propolis and Arnica montana against oral pathogens. Arch Oral Biol 2000; 45: 141-148.

4) Borrelli F, Maffia P, Pinto L, et al. Phytochemical compounds involved in the antiinflammatory effect of propolis extract. Fitoterapia 2002; 73: 53-63.

5) Khayyal MT, El-Ghazaly MA, El-Khatib AS Mechanism involved in the antiinflammatory effect of propolis extract. Drug Exp Clin Res 1993; 19: 197-203.

6) Grunberger D, Ganarjee R, Eisinger K et al. Preferential cytoxicity on tumor cells by caffeic acid phenethyl ester isolated from Propolis. Experientia 1980; 44: 230–232.

7) Park YK, Koo MH, Abreu JA et al. Antimicrobial activity of Propolis on oral microorganisms. Curr Microbiol 1998; 36: 24–28.

8) Kılıç, S, Timurkaan, N, Unsaldı, S ve ark. Comparison of Effects of Some Wound Healing Materials on Full Thickness Skin Wounds in Rabbits. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences 2002; 26: 263-272.

9) Luna LG: Manuel of Histologic Staining Methods of Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New-york, 222, 226, 1968.

10) Subrahmanyam M A prospective randomised clinical and histological study of superficial burn wound healing with honey and silver sulfadiazine. Burns 1998; 24: 157-161.

11) Nagaia T, Sakai M, Inoue R et al. Antioxidative activities of some commercially honeys, royal jelly, and propolis. Food Chem 2001; 75: 237-240.

12) Gracia CG An open study comparing topical silver sulfadiazine and topical silver sulfadiazine–cerium nitrate in the treatment of moderate and severe burns. Burns 2001; 27: 67-74.

13) Gregory RS, Piccolo N, Piccolo MT et al. Comparison of Propolis Skin Cream to Silver Sulfadiazine: A Naturopathic Alternative to Antibiotics in Treatment of Minor Burns. J Altern Complem Med 2002; 8: 77-83.