Development and Characterization of Bioactive Sodium Alginate Dressings Incorporating Melipona beecheii Honey for Wound Healing Applications

Abstract

Healing wounds and skin lesions has been practiced since ancient times, and various mechanisms have been used to treat them, ranging from bandages and herbs to ointments and modern alternatives such as dressings. This work aimed to develop bioactive dressings for wound healing. Dressings were prepared using the solution-drained plate technique and comprised 2% (w/v) sodium alginate with varying concentrations of Melipona beecheii honey, up to 5% (w/v). The dressings obtained showed suitable flexibility and elongation as the honey content increased, and had a suitable thickness for skin application, ranging from 0.03 to 0.21 mm. They were also evaluated for barrier, optical, structural, thermal, morphological, bioactive, and cytotoxic properties. The dressings demonstrated good moisture absorption and maintained antimicrobial activity for up to 12 months. Moreover, they retained bioactive compounds, demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, and showed biocompatibility in biological assays. The dressings did not induce cytotoxic effects in human keratinocytes. Dressing with a 2.5% honey concentration exhibited physicochemical and bioactive properties that could improve skin wound healing.