Honey accelerates the healing of diabetic foot ulcers, reduces wound size, and lowers the rates of amputation or hospitalisation, making it a cost-effective and safe treatment.
The methodology of the review incorporated studies exploring the effects of honey on wound healing, emphasizing its impact on diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Different types of honey and their potential influence on treatment efficacy were considered. The review also scrutinised the mechanisms by which honey promotes wound healing and how honey dressings are utilized in the management of diabetic wounds. Nonetheless, it was noted that few of the studies provided comprehensive data regarding the specific characteristics of the employed honey, affecting the comparison across honey types.
The discussion of the results found in most clinical studies indicated that DFUs treated with honey resulted in rapid wound healing, substantial wound contraction, and decreased rates of amputation or hospitalisation. The properties of honey - serving as an effective antibacterial agent against multidrug-resistant bacteria and fostering wound healing through its physical-chemical attributes - were found to be the underlying reasons for these positive outcomes. Furthermore, honey was deemed to be a cost-effective and safe option for managing DFUs.
