Bee Better: The Role of Honey in Modern Wound Care

Abstract

Honey has been used as an empirical wound care agent for thousands of years and continues to be investigated and used in chronic wound care. In the past few years, several commercially available medical grade honey-based products have been approved for chronic wound therapy. Clinical trials showed that the therapeutic benefit of honey depends on wound type and honey composition. Recent insights into the pharmacology of honey in wound therapy over the past two decades have led to increased interest in this natural remedy and highlighted various antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties that contribute to its pharmacologic action. However, the interaction between honey and the wound microenvironment on wound healing remains unclear. In this perspective, the current clinical evidence supporting the use of honey in wound care is presented and highlights its molecular mechanisms of action to eventually critically discuss the opportunities and challenges of using honey in wound care.