INFLUENCE OF HONEY ON COLLAGEN-METABOLISM DURING WOUND-HEALING IN RATS

The influence of honey on collagen metabolism during wound healing was assessed by making an excision wound by cutting away a 4cm2 full thickness piece of skin from the shaven back of rats under ether anaesthesia. One milliliter of pure, commercial, unboiled honey was applied topically or administered systemically. The rate of collagen synthesis was assessed by administration of [H-3]proline, 24h before sacrifice of the animals. The granulation tissues formed were removed and used to study the various fractions of collagen, susceptibility of collagen to denaturing agents, and the aldehyde content of collagen. The results show that honey accelerates wound healing when applied topically or administered systemically but that systemic treatment is more effective than the topical application.