Healing Potentials of Nigerian Bee Propolis on Meticillin- Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infected Skin Wound of Wistar Rats

This study evaluated the effects of Nigerian Bee Propolis extract on Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infected skin wounds of albino rats. Two full thickness circular wounds were created each on the dorsum of eighteen (18) healthy adult male albino rats with mean body weight of 126±7.09g. Each wound was contaminated with 108 colony forming unit of MRSA. The rats were then randomized into three (3) treatment groups (n=6) with topical application of Propolis extract (PE Group), Silver sulphadiazine (SS Group) and untreated Control (UT Group). Gross wound healing indices (exudation, edema, hyperemia, wound contraction), histopathologic (granulation, angiogenesis, fibroplasia, epithelialization) and immunologic healing indices were evaluated using standard methods. Bacteria clearance was through culture and quantification. The wound surface exudation and edge edema and hyperemia were prominent in all the groups from day 0 to 6 but persisted in the untreated group till day 12. Wound contraction was gradual in all the groups from day 0-18, it was higher between days 0 and 3 in the PE and SS than the UT group (P<0.05). Complete wound closure occurred on SS (day 15), and PE (day 16). The histopathological changes observed showed neutrophils regressed on day 6 to 18 in all groups and was faster in PE and SS groups (P<0.05). Platelets reduction was ` gradual from days 3 to 18 in all groups and was absent from days 6 to 18 in the PE group. Nigerian Bee propolis has a profound bacteria clearance and healing effect on wound infected with methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) comparable to silver sulphadiazine and therefore recommended for infected wound treatment.

Effects of honey, glutamine and their combination on canine small bowel epithelial cell proliferation following massive resection.

The effects of honey, glutamine and honey/glutamine combination on the healing and adaptive process of the bowel following massive small bowel resection were studied in some Nigerian nondescript breeds of dogs. 24 dogs (3-4 months old) of mixed sexes with mean body weight of 4.42±0.70 kg were studied. They were randomized into four treatment groups following 70% small bowel resection. Group A dogs were placed on glutamine treatment, Group B on oral glutamine/honey and group C on honey and group D normal saline (control). Their body weights were evaluated for 15 days and the pre- and post-treatment gut biopsy samples were obtained and processed for morphometric evaluation. All groups exhibited signs of small bowel adaptation (Glutamine/honey>glutamine > honey > control) at the end of the experiment (4 weeks). Glutamine/honey combination, glutamine and honey had gradual increase in body weight from days 3-15 of weight evaluation. The control group, however, had a remarkable drop in body weight compared with other groups. Oral glutamine/honey combination showed the best overall effect based on body weight gain, intestinal mucosal growth and adaptation, evidenced by increased in residual bowel Villi height (27.71µm), Villi weight (14.51µm), Crypt depth (11.25µm), and Villi density (3.40µm). Glutamine showed a better result than honey with a significant increase in villi height (38.08µm), width (8.48µm) and crypt depth (40µm). Histologically, an improved villi branching was observed with glutamine/honey combination. Our results showed that honey/glutamine combination had comparative therapeutic advantage over glutamine or honey and may be a preferred treatment for short bowel syndrome patients.

Small bowel responses to enteral honey and glutamine administration following massive small bowel resection in rabbit.

The trophic effects of honey and glutamine in the healing and adaptation of the small bowel following intestinal resection were studied in some Nigerian non-descript breeds of rabbits. Nine rabbits of mixed sexes with mean body weight of 1.45 +/- 0.55 kg were used. They were randomised into three treatment groups following 50% small bowel resection. Group A rabbits were placed on oral honey treatment, Group B on oral glutamine and group C on normal saline (control). All groups exhibited signs of small bowel adaptation (glutamine(B) honey (A) control (C) at the end of the experiment (4 weeks) with oral glutamine showing the best overall effects on intestinal mucosal growth and adaptation evidenced by significant increase (P<0.05) in residual bowel length (37.3%), villi width (20.0%), crypt depth (113.3%) and a non significant increase in villus height (33.3%) and cellular mass (10.2%). Honey showed a better effect than control with a significant increase (P<0.05) in villi width (18.2%), crypts depth (66.7%) and cellular mass (33.9%) and a non significant increase in gross residual bowel length (24.6%), and villus height (30.5%). Our result shows that honey and glutamine have trophic effects on bowel mucosa healing and hyperplasia and have potential therapeutic effects on massive bowel resection in humans.