Rosdan Salim

The effect of Tualang honey in enhancing post tonsillectomy healing process. An open labelled prospective clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION Tonsillectomy is a common operative procedure performed for tonsillar hypertrophy complicates with recurrent tonsillitis. Among the post tonsillectomy morbidities, post operative wound healing is of utmost importance to be effectively managed as it will interfere with patient recuperation from surgery. Tualang honey has been shown to accelerate wound healing in postoperative patients. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Tualang honey in enhancing healing process in post tonsillectomy patients. METHODOLOGY In this open labelled prospective study, the selected paediatric patients were randomized into two groups. The 35 subjects in the Tualang honey-antibiotic group received 3 mls of Tualang honey intraoperatively followed by 4 mls of oral Tualang honey three times daily for seven days. Concurrently, 25mg/kg of intravenous Sultamicillin was given three times daily for two days followed by oral Sultamicillin twice daily for five days. The 28 subjects in the antibiotic only group received intravenous at 25mg/kg Sultamicillin kg for two days followed by oral Sultamicillin twice daily for five days. The healing process was assessed at day 1, day 3, day 7 and day 14 postoperatively by semiquantitative endoscopic photograph examination of both tonsillar fossae. RESULTS The average ages for the treatment group and the control groups were 9 and 11 years old respectively. Wound healing was significantly faster in the treatment group in both tonsillar fossae compared to the control group (left: p-value = <0.001; right: p-value = <0.001). CONCLUSION Tualang honey has positive effect in enhancing healing process in post tonsillectomy patient. It is easy to use topically, safe to consume orally and available at low cost locally. Overall it can be used as an excellent adjunct therapy for post operative patients.

Antifungal Effect of Malaysian Honey Pathogenic Fungi of OtomycosisZubaidah

Background: Otomycosis has been reported to be prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical regions. The causative pathogens causing otomycosis include Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans , for which the antifungal treatment regime has not been clearly standardized. Honey is a natural product which has been widely studied for various properties, including antimicrobial properties. This study was aimed at determining the antifungal activities of three types of Malaysian honey; Tualang, Acacia and Kelulut honey, against fungal pathogens of otomycosis. Methods: The honey samples were examined for antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans . Honey was incorporated into Sabouraud dextrose agar at concentrations of 5% (v/v), 10% (v/v), 20% (v/v) and 25% (v/v). Conidial suspension was inoculated and spread onto honey-SDA agar plates. After incubation colony counts were determined. Results: The honey samples demonstrated varying levels of inhibitory activity at various concentrations against the fungi tested with colony count reducing with increasing honey concentration. All three honeys showed total growth inhibition at 25% (v/v) concentration. Comparing the three types of honey, Kelulut honey was shown to be the most active against the tested fungi. Conclusion: The three honeys used in the study showed promising antifungal activity. Malaysian honeys have shown potential as antifungal substances for possible development of antifungal drugs for the treatment of fungal infections such as otomycosis. Key words : Malaysia, Honey, Otomycosis, Aspergillus niger , Candida albicans