Menu
Back to Journals » Journal of Experimental Pharmacology » Volume 4
The efficacy of stingless bee honey for the treatment of bacteria-induced conjunctivitis in guinea pigs
Authors Ilechie A, Kwapong, Mate-Kole, Kyei S , Darko-Takyi
Received 21 November 2011
Accepted for publication 14 February 2012
Published 18 May 2012 Volume 2012:4 Pages 63—68
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/JEP.S28415
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 3
Alex Azuka Ilechie,1 Peter Kofi Kwapong,2 Edwin Mate-Kole,1 Samuel Kyei,1 Charles Darko-Takyi,1
1Department of Optometry, 2Department of Entomology and Wildlife, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Abstract: The efficacy of the conjunctival application of a crude concentration of stingless bee honey (SBH) for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis was investigated in an animal model. Bacterial conjunctivitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa was induced in Hartley guinea pigs. The conjunctival application of SBH or gentamicin was used for treatment, and the results of this treatment were compared with control values. Inflammatory signs, duration of infection (ie, positive culture), and time for the complete resolution of infection with S. aureus or P. aeruginosa were shortened by the conjunctival application of 1 drop (70 µL) of crude SBH twice daily. The potency of SBH was comparable with that of gentamicin. SBH may be a rational agent for the treatment of infective conjunctivitis in humans; it is inexpensive and commonly available to the rural population.
Keywords: stingless bee honey, efficacy, bacteria, conjunctivitis, inflammation, infection
© 2012 The Author(s). This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License.
By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.