Honey Hits Wound Care in the U.S.
Derma Sciences received marketing approval (pdf) for API-MED Active Manuka Honey Absorbent Dressing. Honey-based products for burn and wound care have been used in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada over the past two years; the substance has a long documented history of use in homeopathic medicine.
Most honeys produce hydrogen peroxide in low levels, which has antimicrobial effects. However, the low level of production is mitigated by the presence of catalase in wounds. In order for honey products to be effective for wound care, frequent bandage placement is necessitated.
The type of honey used in the Derma product, however, continues to exert significant antimicrobial activity even in the presence of catalase. Active Manuka Honey is derived from the manuka bush, native to New Zealand. Dressings with large amounts of honey can be used to treat wounds over the course of multiple days.
Some antimicrobials currently available are tissue-toxic, which limits their use. Manuka Honey is not toxic to tissue. The substance is naturally occurring, which offers some additional appeal to clinicians.
Since products derived from this honey have been used in Europe and other areas for some time, a broad collection of data is available which describes their efficacy. A number of studies compared Manuka honey dressings to dressings that contain silver. Additional studies have evaluated the utility of the product to treat MRSA. One such study was presented at the European Wound Management Association and will be published in the Fall.
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July 24, 2007 Related topics: Product Approval & Certification