Biological Activity of Propolis Ointment with the Addition of 1% Nanosilver in the Treatment of Experimentally-Evoked Burn Wounds

Polymers (Basel). 2021 Jul 14;13(14):2312. doi: 10.3390/polym13142312.

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to assess the pharmacological efficacy of ointments containing 1% propolis and 1% nanosilver, compared to the conventional treatment of burn wounds. In the evaluation of the results, we used clinical observation of scars, microbiological examinations, pathomorphological examinations, and analysis of free radicals. The analysis of the experiment results concerning the therapeutic effectiveness of the propolis ointment revealed its wide-ranging antibacterial action (against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria). The 1% propolis ointment was found to accelerate neoangiogenesis and epithelialization, have a positive effect on the healing of burn wounds, improve the cosmetic look of scars, and have no side-effects. The analysis of free radicals in burn wounds showed impressive activity of the 1% nanosilver ointment in the reduction of free radicals. No synergism of pharmacological activity of propolis and nanosilver was shown. A comparative evaluation of the acquired research material allows us to provide a favorable opinion on the topical treatment of burn wounds with 1% propolis. The obtained results show that the 1% propolis ointment reduces healing time, offers antimicrobial action, and has a positive effect on the normal process of scar formation.

Keywords: apitherapy; burns; nanosilver; propolis; sulfadiazine.