Therapeutic effect of Ziziphus lotus honey on hard palate ulcers in rats

Introduction
The aim of the study was to assess the effect of honey gel on the hard palate wound healing process in rats.

Material and methods
In this interventional study, a total of 60 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 15) including a control group, a honey gel group, a polyethylene glycol base group, and an oral honey group. Oral wounds were created (4 × 6 mm) on the anterior palatal rugae, and after 24 h the wounds were rinsed with normal saline solution and the studied groups were treated by topical application of honey gel, polyethylene glycol base, and oral honey. On days 3, 7, and 14, five rats from each group were euthanized and histological samples were prepared, and the tissue slides were stained with haematoxylin eosin and observed under a light microscope. The mean number of neutrophils, fibroblasts, macrophage and blood vessel count, epithelialization, and the density of collagen fibres of each sample were assessed. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis Test.

Results
The number of blood vessels and the density of collagen fibres on day 14 were significantly higher in the honey gel group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The number of blood vessels and the rate of epithelialization on day 14 were significantly increased in honey gel group compared to basal group (p < 0.05). Other data were not statistically significant among the groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions
Topical application of honey gel can accelerate the wound healing process of the hard palate.