Comparison of the efficacy of amniotic membrane transplantation, topical water-based propolis extract, corticosteroid and antibiotic use in different combinations on subacute corneal alkali burns in rabbits

Abstract

Investigation of the superiority of the usage of propolis extract, amniotic membrane transplantation, corticosteroid and antibiotic both separately and in different combinations was aimed. A total of 40 (20 male, 20 female) New Zealand breed rabbits weighing 2.5-3.0 kg were used in the study. The rabbits were divided into 5 groups on day 7 of alkali burn injury. Amniotic membrane transplantation was applied to 3 groups and each one of these 3 groups had different local medications as 1% water-based propolis extract (AMN+PRP), dexamethasone and tobramycin (AMN+AC) and only tobramycin (AMN+A). The other two groups, which were not performed amniotic membran transplantation, were either treated with propolis (PRP) or left as a control. The defect area results obtained from AMN+PRP group were lower than AMN+A group, and both AMN+PRP and control group at the day 9 and day 14, respectively (P≤0.05). In the measurements made after the second week, AMN+PRP group showed significantly better results in all weeks in terms of defect area (P≤0.05). Corneal thickness was found to be lower in all groups treated with amniotic membrane than in the other groups (P<0.05). This study aimed to find treatment effectiveness of combining the amniotic membrane with propolis, especially as an anti-inflammatory agent comparing to corticosteroids, and it was decided the outcomes can be improved on the further studies.