Drug Delivery & Targeting (Track)

Evaluation of a Mucin-Honey Formulation for Healing In Full Thickness Experimental Wounds in Rats

M. U. Adikwu
Science and Technology Education Post-Basic, National Commission for Colleges of Education Tower Building, Opposite Akwa-Ibom House, Plot 829 Cadastral Zone A01, Ralph Shodeinde Street, Opposite Akwa Ibom House, Off Ahmadu Bello Way, P.M.B. 0394, Garki, Abuja Nigeria

Abstract:

In this work, the various topical formulations of mucin, honey and their admixtures (mucinated-honey) (MH) were investigated in wound traetment. Their wound healing effects, tissue re-epithelialization and efficacy in reducing bioload in full thickness wounds were compared to those of silver sulphadiazine cream (SSD) which was employed as standard. Ointments, creams and gels were used and various quantities of mucin, honey were incorporated to give the required formulations. Histological examination coupled with visual scoring allowed the assessment of changes to the wounded area. MH showed enhanced wound healing when compared with mucin alone, honey alone or SSD. The combination resulted in up to 89% wound healing on day 15 compared to 74 % for honey and 80 for mucin alone. The healing was affected by the nature of preparation; that is, whether ointment, cream or gel was used as the base. The wounds that were treated with ointment preparations of MH had the fastest resolution of the inflammatory, proliferative and maturation phases of wound healing (Table 21). The wounds showed early resolution of oedema, fever, minimal scar, early establishment of angiogenesis, fibroblast cells and high density keratinocytes than mucin, honey or SSD formulations. The wounds that were treated with the creams and gelsrespectively followed the same characteristics as the ointment batches Various ratios of mucin and honey showed enhanced activity against the three bacteria isolates tested. MH also decreased the boiload of wound better than mucin alone and honey alone. Organoleptically, the MH formulations had better stability characteristics when stored under use conditions for 12 months. Accelerated stability studies showed a similar trend. Thus, the honey in the preparation imparted preservation on the preparations. 
MH accelerated wound healing in rats when compared with mucin, honey and SSD. This may be attributed to the synergy in mucin-honey admixture when applied to full thickness experimental wounds in rats. The relevance of MH in wound healing has been established in this study.