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Pharmaceuticals
Special Issues
Applications of Beehive Products for Wound Repair and Skin Care
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Applications of Beehive Products for Wound Repair and Skin Care

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2025 | Viewed by 5604

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Simona Martinotti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Scienze e Innovazione Tecnologica (DiSIT), University of Piemonte Orientale “A. Avogadro”, Viale Teresa Michel 11, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
Interests: honey; propolis; wound repair; calcium signaling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The benefits of beehive products for skin care and wound healing have led to a long history of usage in traditional medicine and their recent acknowledgment in modern medicine. Honey, propolis, royal jelly, beeswax, and bee venom are the principal products of beehives that are utilized for various uses.

Products made from beehives have several medicinal qualities that make them useful for skin care and wound healing. Their moisturizing, antioxidant, and anti-aging capabilities improve the health and appearance of skin, while their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative qualities aid in the effective healing of wounds.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the qualities of these natural ingredients to create medicinal and cosmetic formulations that offer natural and effective remedies for a range of skin and wound-related problems.

Dr. Simona Martinotti
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • anti-aging
  • antibacterial properties
  • healing properties
  • honey
  • propolis
  • bee venom
  • wound repair
  • skin care

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 3234 KiB  
Article
Uncovering the Advantages of Foam Dressings with Active Ingredients
by Daniela Chrysostomou, Georgios E. Papanikolaou, Lorraine Boshoff, Thandazi Mbele, Andrea Pokorná, Adéla Holubová, Frank A. D. T. G. Wagener and Niels A. J. Cremers
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(6), 768; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18060768 - 22 May 2025
Viewed by 734
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Foam dressings are designed for their ability to manage exudate and are selected to optimize wound repair. Various foam dressings are available, ranging from basic polyurethane to more sophisticated options, incorporating active components to combat infections or foster healing. This study investigates [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Foam dressings are designed for their ability to manage exudate and are selected to optimize wound repair. Various foam dressings are available, ranging from basic polyurethane to more sophisticated options, incorporating active components to combat infections or foster healing. This study investigates the requirements for the most suitable foam dressing through a combination of field research, laboratory testing, and clinical evaluation. Methods: We tested 17 foam dressings commonly used by wound care professionals while attending an international conference. An effective foam dressing should absorb wound fluid for several days, as wound care professionals value absorption and retention capacity, often favoring less frequent changing dressings, preferably twice a week or even weekly. Results: The foam dressings tested can absorb the expected amount of exudate typically produced by different wound types. There is some variability in retention capacity and product prices, resulting in differences in cost-effectiveness among products. In addition, some dressings are enriched with active ingredients that can accelerate healing through their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, such as foam dressings infused with silver or honey. A honey-based foam dressing was evaluated in a clinical survey involving eight wound care specialists, and four clinical cases with varying wound pathologies were discussed in more detail to highlight its key properties. Conclusions: Ideally, a foam dressing should have adequate absorption and retention capacities, effectively resolve and prevent infections, protect against external trauma, ensure optimal patient comfort without damaging newly formed granulation tissue, accelerate wound healing processes, and reduce wound care time (e.g., remaining in place for 7 days). Together, these factors make honey- or silver-loaded foam dressings more cost-effective than plain dressings due to their antimicrobial activities and ability to nourish tissues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Beehive Products for Wound Repair and Skin Care)
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20 pages, 8476 KiB  
Article
Harnessing Manuka Honey: A Natural Remedy for Accelerated Burn Wound Healing in a Porcine Model
by Boris Privrodski, Mladen Jovanović, Nikola Delić, Radomir Ratajac, Vladimir Privrodski, Aleksandar Stanojković, Bernadeta Gavlik and Ivan Čapo
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(3), 296; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18030296 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 2133
Abstract
Backgrounds: Burn injuries present significant medical challenges due to their complexity in healing and potential for severe scarring. This study evaluates the efficacy of Manuka honey in accelerating burn wound healing compared to conventional antibiotic ointments. Methods: Using a porcine model resembling human [...] Read more.
Backgrounds: Burn injuries present significant medical challenges due to their complexity in healing and potential for severe scarring. This study evaluates the efficacy of Manuka honey in accelerating burn wound healing compared to conventional antibiotic ointments. Methods: Using a porcine model resembling human skin, nine Landrace breed female pigs with standardized deep dermal burns were treated with either Manuka honey in alginate or a combination of antibiotic ointments. Wound healing was assessed through macroscopic evaluation, a histopathological analysis, and immunohistochemical staining over a 60-day period. Results: Our findings indicate that the Manuka honey treatment was associated with significantly increased collagen density in the treated wounds compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The immunohistochemical analysis revealed lower macrophage activity (Iba1 staining) and a reduction in Ki67 expression on days 10 and 17 in the Manuka honey group, suggesting a more rapid transition toward tissue remodeling. The quantitative analysis showed a trend toward delayed epithelialization and increased inflammation in the control group, while wounds treated with Manuka honey exhibited faster reepithelialization and improved epidermal regeneration. However, additional studies are required to further assess collagen fiber organization and overall dermal architecture. Conclusions: These findings support the potential of Manuka honey as a beneficial treatment for burn wound healing, with evidence of enhanced reepithelialization and collagen deposition. Further research, including clinical trials, is necessary to fully elucidate its role in clinical practice and optimize treatment protocols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Beehive Products for Wound Repair and Skin Care)
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14 pages, 9568 KiB  
Article
Innovative Honey-Based Product and Its Beneficial Effects Measured by Modern Biophysical and Imaging Skin Techniques
by Grzegorz Suwiński and Izabela Nowak
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(12), 1709; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17121709 - 18 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2158
Abstract
Background: Honey is widely recognized for its potential benefits in skincare, yet its incorporation into formulations is challenging due to its stickiness. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hand creams with varying concentrations of multifloral honey (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% [...] Read more.
Background: Honey is widely recognized for its potential benefits in skincare, yet its incorporation into formulations is challenging due to its stickiness. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hand creams with varying concentrations of multifloral honey (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% w/w) on skin parameters and to assess their application characteristics. Methods: A total of 24 volunteers were divided into two groups, each receiving a blinded pair of creams (0%/10% or 5%/15% honey) to apply on their left and right hands. Instrumental methods (Corneometer®, Tewameter®, Cutometer®, Visioscan®, and Visioline®) were used to measure skin parameters at the baseline, 15 min after the first application, and after 4 weeks of regular use. Sensory characteristics were evaluated through participant questionnaires. Results: After 4 weeks, honey-infused creams showed notable improvements in skin moisturization (up to 29.7%), smoothness (up to 21.3%), wrinkle area reduction (up to 21.4%), and mean wrinkle depth reduction (up to 11.7%). Among these, the increases in moisturization and reductions in wrinkle depth were statistically significant compared to the placebo. The sensory evaluations revealed no significant differences between formulations, highlighting the vehicle’s effectiveness in minimizing the stickiness typically associated with honey. Conclusions: This study highlights the efficacy of honey-enriched hand creams in enhancing skin parameters over time while maintaining favorable sensory characteristics. These findings support the use of honey in dermatological formulations and provide insights into overcoming its formulation challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Beehive Products for Wound Repair and Skin Care)
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