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Honey is naturally sweet substance produced by honeybees from the nectar of plants or from secretions of living parts of plant. A study was designed to explore the medicinal values of commercially available raw honey of different flora of Pakistan. Samples of honey from Acacia, Ziziphus, Citrus and Brassica were collected from different areas of Pakistan and evaluated for physicochemical properties by using Official Methods of Analysis. The trace elements and minerals (macro and micronutrients) were evaluated by using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer and Flame Emission spectrophotometer respectively. The wound healing activity of honey was tested and different concentrations of honey on the basis of body weight of animals were applied locally against incision, excision, dead space and burn model of rats. All topical treatments produced a significant reduced in the period of epithelization. The antibacterial activity of honey was assessed against selected microorganisms causing wound infection. Finally medicinal and economical values of honey were compared with other tradition medicines available in the market for the suitability of this natural product for the health purposes.
About the author
Dr. Farida IftikharM.Sc., M.Phil. Molecular Biology and BiochemistryQuaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad(Pakistan)Ph. D. Biochemistry, PMAS ARID Agric. University Rwp. (Pk.)Principal Scientific OfficerHoneybee Research InstituteNational Agricultural Research CentreIslamabad, Pakistan
