Therapeutic Role of Honey in the Management of Diabetic Ulcer

Diabetes mellitus is one among the most common non communicable disease as like hypertension. Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder that develops either due to inability of the pancreas to produce adequate Insulin or the body cannot utilize the Insulin appropriately. Diabetes increases the risk of numerous serious health problems including Cardio vascular disorders, Kidney disorders, Neurological disorders, Foot disorders and so on. Amongst major complications, foot problems play a major threat and it holds the leading position. Globally, 70 % of people lost their leg because of diabetes. People with known Diabetes mellitus have 25 times greater prevalence of losing their leg than other any other condition. Peripheral neuropathy, foot deformities, minor foot trauma, infection and peripheral vascular disease are the major contributory factors for the development of diabetic foot ulcer. The other risk factors include cigarette smoking, poor glycaemic control, previous foot ulcerations or amputations, diabetic nephropathy, and ischemia of minor and major blood vessels. The results of the present study revealed that, there was a statistically significant difference found in honey dressing and existing wound dressing in terms of healing, pain and infection. But greater effectiveness was found among honey dressing than existing dressing. The mean score of day 16 for study group I was 19.39 and for study group II, it was 15.88. Also it was proved that honey possess antibacterial properties against specific gram stains particularly against staphylocoocus aureas. Moreover, the cost inferred for honey dressing was cheaper also. The present study recommends honey as an alternative therapy for Diabetic foot ulcer healing. It suggests that honey dressing can be used as an effective non pharmacological approach for wound healing thereby alleviating the wide range of complications developed due to Diabetic foot ulcer