Honey promotes angiogeneic activity in the rat aortic ring assay.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate possible effects of honey on angiogenesis, using in vitro analogues of angiogenesis and an endothelial proliferation assay.


METHODS
Using an in vitro rat aortic ring assay we compared pseudotubule formation by medicinal honey (Activon), supermarket honey (Rowse) and a honey-based ointment (Mesitran), with that of artificial honey (70% w/w sugar glucose/fructose). Pseudotubules were analysed using TCS Cellworks AngioSys software. The Angiokit sytem was used to validate the results. Using the MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium. Bromide] assay, toxicity was also assessed on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) directly adherent to plastic.


RESULTS
All honey preparations stimulated pseudotubule formation, maximal at around 0.2% honey. Medicinal honeys were more active than Rowse. The effect was not attributable to the sugar content. Among the honeys tested, the Manuka-based Activon preparation reduced residual viable biomass compared with a sugar control at > 0.32% v/v concentration. Rowse had a similar effect only at 2.5%, the highest dose tested.


CONCLUSIONS
The influence of honey constituents on angiogenesis in a wound dressing context is likely to be positive, but would depend on the effective dilution of the honey and the penetration of the active constituents against an osmotic gradient. The extent to which this occurs has yet to be established.


BACKGROUND
This work was conceived, designed and executed by the authors. Medical honey preparations were supplied unconditionally but free of charge by the distributors.
Rossiter
K
K
School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, Portmouth University, Portsmouth, UK.
Cooper
A J
AJ
Voegeli
D
D
Lwaleed
B A
BA
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology; D018533:Biomass; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006722:Honey / Q000592:standards / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006801:Humans; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D009824:Ointments; D009995:Osmosis; D051381:Rats; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*
D009824:Ointments; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; C022616:thiazolyl blue