Evaluation of the effect of bee pollen on diabetic wound healing in diabetic rats

This in vivo randomized controlled experimental study evaluated the effect of bee pollen on wound healing in diabetic rats. The research was conducted at the Van Yuzuncu Yıl University Experimental Medicine Application and Research Center between July and August 2025. The sample consisted of 48 female Wistar Albino rats. The rats were divided into six groups using a simple randomization method. The first group received dressing with saline solution, the second group received oral bee pollen extract, the third group received dressing with bee pollen extract, the fourth group received oral bee pollen extract + dressing with bee pollen extract, the fifth group received dressing with Vaseline, and the sixth group received dressing with Centella asiatica (Madecassol). For the experimental diabetes model, all groups received 50 mg/kg of STZ intraperitoneally. For the experimental wound model, four wounds with a diameter of 10 mm were created along the midline of the back under general anesthesia. The day the wound was created was considered day 0 of the study, and the planned interventions were applied to the groups at the same time every day for 21 d. On days 0, 7, 14, and 21, blood glucose and weight measurements of the rats were taken, and photographs of the wound areas were captured. Wound areas were measured using ImageJ software. The percentage of wound area and wound area healing were calculated using the Walker formula. For pathological evaluation, skin samples were collected on days 7, 14, and 21, and serum samples were collected on day 21 for ELISA. Chemical analyses of the bee pollen used in this study were also performed. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis of the data. Chemical analysis of bee pollen showed that it is rich in phenolic compounds, amino acids, and minerals. Bee pollen caused a significant decrease in blood glucose levels in diabetic rats (p<0.05). The weights of the rats in the groups treated with bee pollen decreased on day 7 and increased on the other days of the experiment. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean weights of the rats among the groups over time (p>0.05). In terms of wound area values and wound area percentages calculated according to the Walker formula, a significant difference was found between the groups on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days (p<0.05). Bee pollen reduced the wound area at the macroscopic level during the diabetic wound healing process and effectively accelerated the healing process. Statistically significant findings were obtained for the serum IL-6, IL-10, EGF, and VEGF levels. Bee pollen positively affects diabetic wound healing through mechanisms that suppress inflammation, support cellular regeneration, and regulate vascular formation. The pathological findings were consistent with the other findings. As a result, bee pollen, which is rich in phenolic compounds, amino acids, and minerals, was found to accelerate wound healing, reduce wound area, and exhibit an antidiabetic effect by lowering blood glucose levels. The results of the study are expected to provide evidence-based contributions to the fields of wound care and diabetes nursing. In wound care processes, evaluating natural and highly biocompatible products such as bee pollen with an evidence-based approach is considered to offer an innovative, accessible, and supportive care approach for diabetes nurses.