Influence of Honey on Energy Metabolism during Wound Healing in Rats

Abstract

The aim of this study is to find out how honey influences the activities of the enzymes involved in energy metabolism during wound healing. Carbohydrate metabolism is the main source of energy for skin cells during wound healing. Since honey is full of sugars, and hence a rich source of energy, we have investigated the efficacy of honey on energy metabolism during wound healing in rats. A total number of 48 animals were used. From these, 24 animals were divided into two groups, control and experimental. Full thickness excision wounds were made on the back of rats. The control rats were left untreated. The experimental rats received 500 &#x2009;<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mi>&#x03BC;</mml:mi></mml:math>L of honey topically, once daily, for 12 days. Six animals from each group were sacrificed on different time point intervals like 4, 8, and 12 days. The remaining 12 animals were used to evaluate the contraction and epithelialization. The activities of hexokinase, phosphofructokinase glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogense, lactate dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were measured in the granulation tissue. A marked increase in the activities of all the glycolytic enzymes in the experimental wounds when compared to control suggests that honey could provide sufficient energy for cellular activity needed for the repair process.