Amulya Mohan Acharya1 , Sai Bharat Sunkara2 , Bagmi Biswabara Panda3
BACKGROUND Turmeric and honey topical application have been separately studied in animal models and few studies on human wounds, and it was found to enhance wound healing. The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy of topical application of turmeric mixed honey paste for chronic wounds and evaluate healing effect, safety and economy for the patients. METHODS 60 patients with chronic wounds including diabetic ulcers, non-diabetic bedsores and venous ulcers were divided randomly into 3 equal groups and pattern of wound healing was studied. Saline and petroleum jelly were used in Group A, honey alone in Group B and turmeric with honey paste in Group C. But chronic wounds from malignancy, tuberculosis, eczema, HIV and acute wounds, burns were excluded from this study. The study was done between Sept. 2018 till Feb. 2020 over a period of 18 months. Age of the patients was in the range of 30-70 yrs. (mean 48 years) with 24 females and 36 males. There were 33 diabetic foot ulcers, 6 venous ulcers and 21 number bed sore patients. The mean area of wounds in the three groups was approximately same. All patients were properly explained about the treatment and informed consent was taken. 100 gms of good quality honey was mixed with 10 gms of freshly prepared good quality turmeric powder to make a paste and was sterilized before application. A sample of paste was checked to rule out bacterial contamination. Patients were followed for 2-16 weeks (mean 8 weeks). The percentage of wound contraction and linear wound healing from initial wound edge were calculated using Walker and Mason formula and Gilman’s formula respectively. Safety, efficacy and the cost-effectiveness of the three treatment modalities were studied. RESULTS There was a significant decrease in the size of the wounds in the form of percentage of wound contraction. Faster linear progression of healing from initial wound margin was seen in turmeric-honey application (p <0.0001). The treatment was economical and without any adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that topical application of honey with turmeric produces faster wound healing, and is cost-effective and safe.
