Physiological and metabolic abnormality following sulfur mustard (SM)-induced DNA
alkylation leading to cellular death is irreversible. But the cellular reaction consequence
of DNA alkylation (like, inflammation, protease activity, DNA repairment activity) and
other celluar abnormalities like burn injury including cellular and capillary
inflammation, infection, necrosis and dermal ischemia that continue 24 to 48 hours, and
harm or delay the healing process, may be preventable. In this study the beneficial effect
of bee pollen cream (BPC) and silver sulfadiazine cream was tested against skin injury
induced by SM. The selection of bee pollen cream was due to its potential anti-inflammatory,
antibacterial, wound healing, anti-oxidative and capillary strengthen
activity that may affect the process of healing. The 20,µl of 10% sulfur mustard in
isopropyl alcohol was dropped on shaved skin of guinea pigs. The bee pollen (20%),
silver sulfadiazine (1%) and placebo cream was applied on the affected skin two times a
day for 20 days in the different groups of guinea pigs. The area of injury was measured
on days 10, 20, 25 and 30. The results indicate that the area of injury at 10, 20 and 25
days in the BPC treated group was significantly (P< 0.01) lowered as compared to silver
sulfadiazine and placebo treated groups. This positive effect may be due to inhibitory
effect of BPC on cellular reaction consequence of DNA alkylation. However further
exprimental studies may test BPC of different percentages as well as cream made up of
mixtures of alcoholic and extracted bee pollen, for treatment of SM induced skin injury
as well as burn injury.