Quantitative changes of mast cells following topical application of honey on third degree burns in rats

The purpose of present study was determination of number changes of mast cells in a honey treated experimental model of third degree burn. A third degree burn was made in 24 adult female rats by direct contact of skin with boiling water for 8 seconds. Rats were divided randomly into four groups. Group 1: Burns of this group remained untreated (control group). Groups 2 and 3: Burns of these groups were received topical application of unboiled commercial honey one-time per day and twice daily. Group 4: Burns of this group were received topical application of nitrofurazone cream daily (routine treatment). Samples were extracted from 3 rats at day 15 and of another 3 rats at day 30. Samples were processed for light microscopy study and stained with toluidine blue. Mast cells were counted by a calibrated light microscope. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. Group 4 had highest number of mast cells at day 15 (30.43±41.1) and at day 30 (31.52±41.1). Control group had lowest number of mast cells at day 15 (11.9±15.43). Group 2 had lowest number of mast cells at day 30 (17.19±22.85). It is concluded that topical application of honey on third degree burns didn’t have significant effect on the number of mast cells in comparison with control and routine treatment groups.