A Comparative Evaluation of the Wound Healing Properties of Stingless Bee Honey in Diabetic Animal Models

Abstract

Diabetes is commonly associated with delayed wound healing, highlighting the need for alternative wound management approaches. This study evaluates the wound-healing potential of honey from two stingless bees from Brunei Darussalam, Geniotrigona thoracica and Heterotrigona itama, in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. The honey was applied topically at 100% concentration to excision wounds for a period of 14 days, with normal non-diabetic and diabetic untreated rats used as controls. Wound contraction was assessed using ImageJ while histological analysis was performed on Day-6 post wounding to evaluate tissue repair. Wound contraction increased in all groups with G. thoracica treated group showing significantly higher wound contraction on Day 7 and Day 10 at 72.9 ± 6.7% and 92.3 ± 2.09 % respectively. Histological analysis on Day 6 showed reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, increased collagen deposition, and improved re-epithelialisation in the honey-treated groups. These findings suggest that Brunei stingless bee honey, particularly G. thoracica, may promote wound healing in diabetic rats and has potential as a natural wound management agent.