Carolina Schencke; Bélgica Vásquez; Cristian Sandoval & Mariano del Sol

SUMMARY: The benefits of honey bee honey (Apis mellifera) have been known for thousands of years and it has been used since ancient times for its nutritional and medicinal values. It was "rediscovered" by modern medicine as a result of its important anti- bacterial properties in infected wounds. New studies have argued for the ability of honey to interact with the complex cellular machinery and achieve tissue repair. Therefore, a review was carried out of current contents of the properties of honey and their role in the morphophysiological processes of wound repair. Hence, antibacterial action, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory components of its properties were evaluated. At the same time, we reviewed physical and wound debridement benefits, the importance of floral origin and geographical location in the medicinal value of different types of honey. The studies suggest that the effects of honey are the result of a combined activity, where its components interact synergistically to achieve therapeutic function. Its action is realized in all stages of the morphophysiological repair process, accomplishing accelerated wound healing. The floral origin and geographical location of the honey are important factors to consider since the composition of honey is variable, as is its medicinal value.

KEY WORDS: Wounds; Burns; Wound repair; Honey.

SCHENCKE, C.; VÁSQUEZ, B.; SANDOVAL, C. & DEL SOL, M. The role of honey in the morphophysiologic processes of wound repair. Int. J. Morphol., 34(1):385-395, 2016.