Healing Activity of Propolis of Stingless Bee (Scaptotrigona aff. postica), Reared in Monoculture of Açaí (Euterpe oleracea), in Induced Wounds in Rats

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex and coordinated process involving interactions between cells and various messenger systems. This study conducted in vivo tests to determine the healing effect of propolis (PR)-based cream derived from the Amazon stingless bee, Scaptotrigona aff. postica, reared in açaí (Euterpe oleracea) monoculture, on induced wounds in rats. Data were obtained by monitoring injuries on 14 Wistar rats, divided into three groups (G1, G2 and G3), each receiving specific treatments: propolis-based cream (PR), collagenase (PC) and neutral cream (NC). Over the seven days of treatment, the lesions were measured using photographic records and ImageJ software to evaluate the healing effectiveness of the test cream. ImageJ software version 1.53g was used to compare the wound diameters for each treatment. After seven days, histopathological analyses of the induced lesions were performed. It was observed that collagenase (PC) and the test cream (PR) did not differ significantly in terms of wound diameter reduction. However, the propolis-based cream directly influenced the lesion maturation process and exhibited a milder inflammatory response compared to the positive control (PC). This effect is possibly associated with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds identified by GC/MS analysis in the propolis. Notably, this is the first report describing propolis of Scaptotrigona aff. postica obtained from açaí monocultures with strong healing potential, highlighting the identification of a high concentration of phenolic compounds that aid directly in wound repair.