A Comparison of the Effects of Grayanotoxin-Containing Honey (Mad Honey), Normal Honey, and Propolis on Fracture Healing

Abstract

Objectives: Delayed healing and non-union of fractures have a significant effect upon patient morbidity. Studies have therefore largely concentrated on accelerating fracture healing. This study was intended to compare the effect of ``mad honey{''} and propolis on fracture healing using radiological and histopathological analysis. Subjects and Methods: Femur fracture was surgically performed on 48 rats, followed by fixation. Animals were then divided into 8 groups: 2 control groups (15-and 30-day) and 6 treatment groups (15-and 30-day normal honey, 15-and 30-day ``mad honey,{''} and 15-and 30-day propolis). Rats were sacrificed at the end of these periods, and radiological and histological examinations were performed. Results: Radiological healing in the propolis group after 15-day therapy was statistically better than in the control (p = 0.004) and normal honey (p = 0.006) groups. After 30-day therapy, healing in the propolis group (p = 0.005) and grayanotoxin-containing ``mad honey{''} group (p = 0.007) were significantly better than in the control group. Histologically, there was a statistically significant difference between the 15-day propolis group and the other groups (control, honey, mad honey: p = 0.003, p = 0.003, and p = 0.002, respectively). We also found a statistically significant difference when the 30-day propolis group (p = 0.005) and `` mad honey{''} group (p = 0.007) were compared to the control group. Conclusions: This study shows that grayanotoxin-containing `` mad honey{''} and propolis can accelerate fracture healing. (C) 2018 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.