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Potential Mechanisms and Application of Honeybee Products in Wound Management: Wound Healing by Apitherapy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Burns, Infections and Wound Management

Part of the book series: Recent Clinical Techniques, Results, and Research in Wounds ((RCTRRW,volume 2))

Abstract

Honey is an ancient remedy for its medicinal application, as a treatment for burns, ulcers, and wound healing. Honey is mainly composed of carbohydrates, enzymes, amino acids, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and aromatic substances. Flavonoids and phenolic acids are the most important compounds in honey that display a wide range of biological activities. Depending on its origin, climate, and honeybee species, honey has different colors, compositions, aromas, and flavors. Therefore, various types of honey have different therapeutic effects. Honey affects the wound healing processes by several mechanisms. It rapidly removes bacteria from the colonized and infected wounds due to its hydrogen peroxide, high osmolality, acidity, non-peroxide factors, nitric oxide, and phenols. As a dressing on wounds, honey promotes autolytic debridement, stimulates anti-inflammatory activities, and enhances fibroplasia and angiogenesis in the wound bed. This chapter aims to review the medicinal properties of honey and describe its mechanism of action on wound healing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

    Ahmad Oryan D.V.M., Ph.D. & Esmat Alemzadeh

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  1. Ahmad Oryan D.V.M., Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Ahmad Oryan D.V.M., Ph.D. .

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  1. Tustin, CA, USA

    Melvin A. Shiffman

  2. Newport Beach, CA, USA

    Mervin Low

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Oryan, A., Alemzadeh, E. (2017). Potential Mechanisms and Application of Honeybee Products in Wound Management: Wound Healing by Apitherapy. In: Shiffman, M., Low, M. (eds) Burns, Infections and Wound Management. Recent Clinical Techniques, Results, and Research in Wounds, vol 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/15695_2017_38

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