Abstract
Background: Propolis alginate dressing from the Philippine stingless bees (PSB) Tetragonula biroi (Friese, 1898) showed potential in other wound models, but its efficacy in second-degree burns has not been well established. This study evaluated its effects on wound healing and post-burn complications in female ICR mice. Methods: Sixteen (16) adult female mice from a single cohort were randomly allocated to silver sulfadiazine (SS) or PSB propolis-alginate (P) dressing groups. Approximately 10 mm x 10 mm second-degree burn was created on the dorsum of each mouse. Dressings were applied once daily for 35 days. Results: Mice treated with P dressing had longer scab presence (P = 0.0403), but exhibited shorter durations of necrotic tissue (P = 0.0199) and healing (P = 0.0082). By Day 35, complete wound closure was attained in 100% of the P and 87.50% of the SS group. Microscopically, neovascular maturity was higher in the P group (P = 0.0054). Total burn wound scores, percentage change, wound area, body weight, feed, and water intake were comparable (P > 0.05). The treatment cost comparison showed that P is 65.23% cheaper than SS. Conclusions: These findings support the potential application of P dressing in second-degree burn wound management.
Keywords
Second degree burn wound, Propolis alginate, Silver sulfadiazine, Wound healing