Evaluation of Chemical Composition and the Comparative Wound Healing Effect of Natural Honey and Olive Oil in Rabbits

Abstract: The phytochemical and elemental constituents of honey and olive oil and their relationships with wound healing were studied in New Zealand rabbits. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of Carbohydrates, monosaccharide, reducing sugar, terpenoid, saponin, saponin glycoside, flavonoids, and alkaloid in honey, while olive oil had only cardiac glycoside and terpenoids.  Elemental analysis showed the presence of higher concentration of potassium (288.3mg/l), and low concentration of manganese (0.04mg/l), iron (1.55mg/l), copper (0.66mg/l) and nickel (0.001mg/l) in honey than olive oil. However, olive oil has higher concentration of calcium (225.3mg/l) and zinc (5.22mg/l) than in   honey. The wound healing effects of honey and olive oil were determined by inflicting a 2 mm incisional wound on the thigh muscle of 18 New Zealand rabbits. The rabbits were grouped into six groups (A-F) which were topically administered of honey (A), olive oil (B), honey and olive oil mixture (C), iodine and methylated spirit (D) and penicillin (E).Group F was undressed and untreated and served as negative control.  Healing and scar tissue formation was monitored over a period of 10 days by measuring the wound closure daily. It was observed that group B and D had complete resolution with minimal scar tissues by day six. Other groups had a longer resolution time of up to 9 days post incision. The study therefore, showed olive oil alone and a combination of iodine and methylated spirit both aided greatly in dehiscence of uncontaminated surgical wounds in New Zealand rabbits.