Abstract
Purpose:
Melipones are social bees which main characteristic is the lack of functional sting. Melipona beechei honey has been used by the Mayan culture since ancient times, to treat several injuries, including ocular diseases such as dry eye, due to its medicinal properties Its high viscosity creates a barrier that inhibits wound contamination by gram +/- bacterial removal due to its high concentration of carbohydrates, flavonoids, phytalics acids, low pH and the action of peroxide oxygen. The purpose of this study was to establish the biological safety of melipone bees honey used on ocular surface evaluating adverse effects, in an animal model
Methods:
Animals were handled according to the ARVO Statement on the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research; adult male and female albino rabbits Oryctolagus Cuniculus (weighing 2800-3200 grs n=6) were submitted in traps to apply 0.5 ml melipona bees honey, directly on the cornea of the case eye test (right eye) using a sterile syringe. Following the same method, 0.5 ml of distilled water was applied to contralateral eye (left eye; used as controls) Slit lamp examinations and photodocumentation were performed 1, 2, 3, 24, 48 and 72 hrs after melipona bees honey instillation. The outcome measures evaluated were irritation and sensitization test of the conjunctiva (redness, edema and secretion), corneal opacity and/or vascularization and iris (opacity), with the aid of a magnifying glass. The scores were added for each rabbit and 6 rabbits values were averaged per day. The average value obtained was divided by 110 (total sum of the maximum possible scores) depending on the ratio and the product obtained was classified as: no irritating, mildly irritating, irritating and severely irritating
Results:
Six eyes of 6 albino rabbits were available for evaluation (100%) of melipona bees honey effects, which induced no ocular adverse effects (SCORE <0.3) over a 2 weeks period. Therefore, we classified this substance as no irritating in all cases
Conclusions:
Melipona bees honey is a natural compound, which can be safely used on ocular surface. Due to its physicochemical features, it is likely to have many applications such as an antibacterial, hyperosmotic and moisturizing agent. More trials need to be performed to determine efficacy in diseased eyes and further clinical trials for its possible applications on human ocular diseases.
Keywords: 620 ocular irritancy/toxicity testing •
474 conjunctiva •
482 cornea: epithelium