Sara S Abou Zekry
American university in Cairo, Egypt
Title: Natural products as wound healing agents
Biography
Biography: Sara S Abou Zekry
Abstract
Honey, pomegranate peel extract (PPP) and bee venom (BV), were used in combination with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to develop a novel nanofibrous wound dressing. Methanolic PPP was prepared and mixed with either manuka honey (MH) or lyophilized multiflora honey powder (LH) together with BV to have a total of three formulas: MH/PPP, MH/PPP/BV and LH/PPP/BV. The formulas were tested for their antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity, and wound healing activity in an excisional wound rat model. Scanning electron microscopy showed that LH fibers had smaller and more uniform diameter than MH fibers. Moderate swelling and higher weight loss capacities were detected when compared to PVA mats. Antibacterial tests showed significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli compared to negative controls (P < 0.0001). No cytotoxicity was observed. In vivo wound healing study showed that all treatment groups enhanced wound healing as shown by increased wound closure percentages compared to negative control groups at days 3, 5 and 10 (P < 0.0001), and histological examination. In comparison to treatment groups, Medihoney® calcium alginate dressing significantly enhanced healing compared to negative controls at days 3 and 5. However, healing was delayed afterwards. These results indicate that MH/PPP/BV nanofibres are promising for wound healing.