The Effect of Aleo vera and Honey Gel in Healing Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Background and Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. For centuries Aleo vera has been used in treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. In this study, a mixture of honey and Aloe vera was used for diabetic foot ulcer healing. In a double-blind clinical trial, patients with nonischemic, noninfected diabetic foot ulcers (attending Imam Khomeini Hospital Diabetes Center, Sari, Iran) were divided into two groups, a treatment group (n= 24) and a placebo group (n=15). To compare the effect of the mixture t-test and qui square were applied. A total of 39 patients (19 males and 20 females) with diabetic foot ulcers were enrolled. Mean age of the patients, mean body mass index, and mean duration of diabetes were 56.3 ±10.2, 31.2 ± 4.2, 16.2 ± 6.6, respectively which were not significantly different between the two groups. Wound size was determined using a ruler that showed no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.36). Debridement, offloading and washing were done for all participants. Combined gel of Aleo vera and honey was used for treatment group. Wound healing was seen in 21 (95.5%) patients in treatment group and in 11 (78.6%) patients in placebo group. In small, non-infected, non-ischemic ulcers the effect of honey and Aloe vera gel was the same as that of the placebo. Offloading, debridement and washing with normal saline have similar effect to the mixture in healing diabetic foot ulcers.