Background and Objective: Propolis is a honeybee hive product composed primarily of beeswax and phytochemicals. It has been historically recognized for its antibacterial and wound-healing properties. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical propolis oil extract in accelerating cutaneous wound healing in a rabbit model.
Methods: This experimental study was conducted on twelve adult male New Zealand rabbits weighing 1.5-2 kg. The animals were divided into two groups based on healing intervals of 3 days and 7 days. Two full-thickness, 8 mm diameter wounds were created on the dorsal back of each rabbit using a sterile biopsy punch. In the control group, wounds were left to heal naturally. In the experimental group, wounds received daily topical application of propolis oil (10 µL per wound). Animals were euthanized at each time point (days 3 and 7), and wound contraction was assessed grossly. Histological and histomorphometric analyses were performed to quantify inflammatory cell counts, vascular density (blood vessel counts), and epithelial thickness.
Findings: On day three, a significant difference in wound contraction between groups was noted (control: 11.7±1.3 vs. experimental: 14.2±1.7; p=0.01). On day seven, this difference persisted (control: 41.5±8.4 vs. experimental: 54.2±8.1; p=0.02). No significant differences in inflammatory cell counts were observed on day three. However, by day seven, a significant difference was noted (p=0.001). Epithelial thickness showed significant differences on day three (control: 5.3±0.8 vs. experimental: 7.2±1.08; p=0.008) and day seven (control: 10.8±1.7 vs. experimental: 17.3±2.6; p=0.001). Blood vessel count differed significantly between groups on both days (p=0.01).
Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that topical propolis oil effectively enhances cutaneous wound healing by exerting anti-inflammatory effects and promoting cellular proliferation.