Honey and Contemporary Wound Care: An Overview Keith F. Cutting, MN, RN, Cert Ed(FE) Honey provides a sugar-rich food source for bees. They harvest honey as nectar, a sugary fluid (approximately 80% water) produced by a variety of plants in order to attract insects and subsequently promote cross-pollination. The bees transport the nectar back to the hive where the nectar is processed and transformed into honey (80% sugar, 17% water). The honey then is stored and sealed in the comb using beeswax. During hive processing, most of the water is removed; the binding of the remaining water molecules and the addition of enzymes by the bees help ensure that microbial growth is not supported. 1 The many different types of honey and the nuances of the finished product depend not only on the flower source, but also on a variety of factors including weather and climatic conditions. Not all honeys are the same. As flavor, consistency, and color of honey vary, so do its therapeutic purposes. These variations in characteristics led Molan 2 to the conclusion that honey should not be considered a generic term. FEATURE A growing body of research and empirical evidence have supported the re-discovery of medicinal-grade honey as a wound management agent. Pre-clinical study results suggest that honey has therapeutic benefit; clinical study results have shown that honey effectively addresses exudate, inflammation, devitalized tissue, and infection. Honey-containing dressings and gels have been developed to facilitate the application of medicinal-grade honey to the wound. Clinical studies to compare the safety and effectiveness of these products to other moisture-retentive dressings and treatment modalities are warranted. KEYWORDS: honey, leptospermum, Manuka, wound bed preparation Ostomy Wound Management 2007;53(11):49 54 The therapeutic properties of honey are variable and depend on the type of honey used. Manuka (the Maori name for the New Zealand tea tree/bush Leptospermum scoparium) or Leptospermum is honey derived from the tea tree; the former is the more widely used term. In a review of the literature, Moore 3 showed that Manuka honey has very special healing properties and described it as the best natural antibiotic in the world. Medical-grade Manuka honey is prepared purely for medical use and controlled by a rigorous set of systems and standards. 4 These exacting standards apply to the leptospermum honey distributed in the US (Medihoney, Derma Sciences, Princeton, NJ). This product is a blend of L. scoparium (Manuka) and L. polygalifolium know as Jelly Bush. The purpose of this review is to accentuate the wide-ranging therapeutic advantages that honey can offer using examples from the literature. Mr. Cutting is a Tissue Viability Specialist, Harefield Hospital, Middlesex, UK: and Principal Lecturer, Buckinghamshire University College, Buckinghamshire, UK. Please address correspondence to: Keith F. Cutting at info@healthdirections.co.uk. Mr. Cutting discloses that he has served as consultant to Derma Sciences, Princeton, NJ. November 2007 Vol. 53 Issue 11 49
History Honey as a therapeutic agent has a history that dates back thousands of years; this fact assists in underpinning its therapeutic credentials. Namias 6 noted that honey is mentioned in relation to healing in the Bible, the Koran, and the Torah. In addition, the Edwin Smith Papyrus (17th century BC), Hippocrates, and Democritus in ancient Greece, Galen in ancient Rome, and Avicenna in medieval times all have recorded the medical properties of honey. 7,8 Until the first part of the 20th century, honey dressings were part of everyday wound care practice. With the advent of antibiotics in the 1930s and 1940s, views changed and honey was consigned to items of historical interest. Misuse of antibiotics, the emergence of resistant bacteria, and increasing interest in therapeutic honey have provided an opportunity for honey to be re-established as a broad-spectrum, antibacterial agent that is non-toxic to human tissue. Despite lack of promotional support from large corporations, interest in the use of honey in wound management has increased in recent years. However, a clinical profile in wound care commensurate with other modalities has not been achieved despite offering similar indications of use and an increase in research activity and clinical reports. Zumal and Lulat 7 observed, The therapeutic potential of uncontaminated, pure honey is grossly underutilized. Clinicians need reassurance that any health-related agent is safe and meets its stated therapeutic purpose. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that although natural in origin, the honey used in wound care should be of medical-grade standard and not sourced from honey destined for the supermarket shelf. Medical grade honey is filtered, gamma-irradiated, and produced under carefully controlled standards of hygiene to ensure that a standardized honey is produced. 4 KEY POINTS The author provides a brief overview of the history of using honey to manage wounds and reported results of its use in pre-clinical and clinical evaluations. Therapeutic Benefit of Honey in Wound Care A systematic review 3 of honey as a wound dressing noting the dearth of good evidence on topical wound agents contradicts Molan s literature review 9 of the evidence (17 randomized, controlled trials involving 1,965 participants and five clinical trials involving 97 participants, plus numerous case studies), supports the use of honey as a wound dressing, and underscores clinician failure to recognize that evidence. Molan s 10 research review also addressed the range of honey s therapeutic activities (see Table 1). Wound bed preparation. Wound bed preparation may be viewed as management of the wound in order to accelerate endogenous healing. 10 The bio-activity of honey aligns closely with the concept of wound bed preparation. The physiology of healing in acute wounds is a carefully controlled series of events that ensures healing progresses in a timely fashion. However, in chronic wounds this orderly sequence is disrupted and the repair process is delayed. If wound bed preparation is to be successful, the impediments to healing must be recognized and addressed, implying appropriate management of exudate, devitalized tissue, and associated bioburden. The appropriate application of honey dressings offers a way forward in managing potential wound-related barriers to healing. Exudate. A clinical study by Al-Waili and Saloom 12 compared honey with topical antiseptics in 50 patients with postoperative abdominal wound infections; Ahmed et al s 13 non-randomized study of 60 patients with chronic surgical or trauma wounds; and Betts and Molan s 14 in vivo pilot study reported that honey helps reduce the amount of wound exudate. This is most likely a consequence of honey s anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation increased vessel permeability increases fluid movement into soft tissue, subsequently increasing surface exudate. A decrease in inflammatory cells has been found (histologically) in animal models following application of honey in fullthickness burns. 15 Similar findings have been reported in animal studies comparing ampicillin and nitrofuazone in treating infection of full-thickness wounds. 16,17 The anti-inflammatory activity of honey also has been documented in clinical studies of human burn wounds and in in vitro studies. 18-20 The potential Ostomy Wound Management 2007;53(11):49 54 50 OstomyWound Management
Bioactivity of honey* Prevention of cross-contamination Provides a moist wound healing environment Dressings do not adhere to wound surface. Tissue does not grow into dressings Promotes drainage from wound Removes malodor Promotes autolytic debridement Stimulates healing Anti-inflammatory consequences of effectively managing inflammation include rapid reduction of pain, edema, and exudate; additionally, hypertrophic scarring is minimized by avoiding protracted inflammation that may result in fibrosis. 21 It follows that reducing inflammation lessens exudate production and dressing change frequency, which may conserve resources in terms of dressings used, staff time, and unnecessary disturbance of the patient and the wound bed. Devitalized tissue. It has been established that dressings that create the type of moist wound environment that honey provides facilitate the process of autolytic debridement. The osmotic pull of honey draws lymph from the deeper tissues and constantly bathes the wound bed. Lymph fluid contains proteases that contribute to the debriding activity of honey. In addition, the constant sluicing of the wound bed is believed to help remove foreign body (eg, dirt and TABLE 1 THE BIOACTIVITY OF HONEY Suggested Rationale* Viscosity of honey provides a protective barrier Osmolarity draws fluid from underlying tissues The viscous nature of honey provides an interface between wound bed and dressing Osmotic outflow sluices the wound bed Bacterial preference for sugar instead of protein (amino acids) means lactic acid is produced in place of malodorous compounds Bioactive effect of honey Stimulation of healing has been observed together with objective measurements in animal wounds Number of inflammatory cells (histologically) found to be reduced in honey-treated wounds Managing infection Antiseptic properties found to be effective against a range of microbes including multi-resistant strains *not necessarily research-based. Adapted from the literature. grit) contamination. 21 Molan 22 has suggested the most likely explanation for honey s debriding activity the conversion of inactive plasminogen to plasmin, an enzyme that breaks down the fibrin that tethers slough and eschar to the wound bed. Stephen-Haynes, 23 who presented the results of three patient case studies and an additional five patients who benefited from management of wound malodor, attests to the clinical impact of honey in debridement. Malodor is known to occur in a variety of wounds in conjunction with slough and necrotic tissue; it is a particular concern when managing fungating lesions. Malodorous substances such as ammonia and sulphur compounds are produced when bacteria metabolize protein. Because honey provides bacteria an alternative source of energy (glucose), these noxious compounds are no longer produced and wound malodor is avoided. November 2007 Vol. 53 Issue 11 51
TABLE 2 HONEY DRESSINGS AVAILABLE AND SUGGESTIONS FOR USE Honey liquid or gel dispensed from a tube Absorbent alginate dressing with honey Honey in a hydrocolloid-like sheet Application/indications Maceration. Macerated periwound skin can be a problem in some wounds and is often related to the dressing used. 24 The osmotic action of honey, previously mentioned, has been shown in previous reviews of the literature to reduce the risk of maceration honey draws moisture rather than donates it. 21 Thus, periwound skin is protected from overhydration. Bioburden. Honey has been shown in clinical observations to have the ability to manage wound infection in situations where conventional antimicrobial (antibiotics/antiseptics) have failed. 25-27 Honey also has been found to be effective in vitro against a range of multiresistant organisms including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), and other multiresistant Gram-negative organisms including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 28 Other in vitro studies involving different micro-organisms 29,30 also have demonstrated honey s effectiveness against antibioticresistant bacteria. George and Cutting 28 specifically identified honey s antibacterial activity. The binding of water can be added to these antibacterial properties: The high sugar content/low water activity provides osmotic action Acidic ph (3.2 to 4.5) inhibits bacterial growth Glucose oxidase enzyme helps produce hydrogen peroxide Plant-derived factors (present in some honeys and not specifically identified). The antibacterial action most likely reaches below the wound surface. Although topical honey manages superficial bacteria (bactericidal in action rather than bacteriostatic) 30,31 it also has been shown in vitro to Applied directly onto wound or onto appropriate dressing before application Can be applied to most acute/chronic wounds including infected or sloughy wounds Should be selected according to the exudate level of the wound provide prompt clearance of deep-seated infection and boils with unbroken skin, suggesting that honey s antibacterial activity may diffuse through the skin to deeper tissues. Cooper et al 30 performed sensitivity testing of 17 strains of P. aeruginosa isolated from infected burns using two honeys with different types of antibacterial activity; Wahdan 31 compared the antibacterial activity of a sugar solution and honey on 21 types of bacteria and two types of fungi. Biofilms. In recent years, attention has turned to the potential role of biofilms in wound infection. A biofilm may be described as a bacterial community living within a self- produced extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) matrix. 32 The EPS protects the bacterial community from antimicrobial and phagocytic onslaught. Lately, in vitro evidence has indicated that honey is an effective agent for preventing biofilm formation. 33 In addition, Okhiria et al 34 found in an in vitro study that laboratory-grown Pseudomonal biofilms were disrupted following application of Manuka honey. These findings are particularly encouraging when considering the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. No evidence has yet been presented that bacterial resistance to honey has occurred it is highly unlikely that bacteria will select for resistance to honey because bacteria rely on sugar as a source of food. Cross-contamination. Use of honey dressings may help prevent cross contamination. This is and will remain an important issue in healthcare. The viscous nature of honey is believed to provide a physical barrier that helps safeguard patients by preventing cross-contamination. 52 OstomyWound Management
Dressing Wounds with Honey All dressings must be used in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions. This helps endorse the maxim do no harm and ensure that the full benefit of the product is realized. Because of its fluid and viscous nature, honey can be difficult to apply. This is particularly true when profuse exudate is present, diluting the honey. Experience has shown that use of the appropriate honey vehicle, including a secondary dressing, can sometimes circumvent this problem (see Table 2). Allergy. Before honey is applied to a wound, the patient should be asked routinely if he/she is allergic to honey or bee products, including bee stings. It is advisable not to proceed with a honey-containing dressing if the answer is affirmative. Discomfort. Occasionally, some patients report transient stinging on application of honey. The discomfort often disappears in a short period of time or after the first few applications. Analgesia is required only in those rare circumstances when pain may persist. In a review paper, Molan 5 noted that patient response to honey applied to open wounds was reported as soothing, pain-relieving, and non-irritating, and demonstrated no adverse effects. Conclusion The resurgence of interest in honey as a modern wound dressing offers opportunities for both patients and clinicians. Recent additions to the honey product range of dressings indicate commercial confidence in the future of therapeutic honey. The wheel has turned full circle and honey is being re-established as a valuable agent in modern wound care management. Its advantages providing a moist environment, debriding, deodorizing, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory capabilities are factors that have been shown to facilitate healing. These advantages have been experienced by patients and clinicians in Europe and Australia and are now available to patients in North America. Use of any medical device must be based on clinical justification and available evidence about product safety and effectiveness. Continued research is needed to increase understanding about the role of honey in a variety of wounds and its effect on healing compared to other treatment modalities. - OWM References 1. http://science.howstuffworks.com/question300.htm 2. Molan P. Not all honeys are the same for wound healing. Eur Tissue Repair Soc Bulletin. 2002:9(1). 3. Moore OA, Smith LA, Campbell F, Seers K, McQuay HJ, Moore RA. Systematic review of the use of honey as a wound dressing. BMC Complementary and alternative medicine. Available at www.biomedcen.com. Accessed July 15, 2007. 4. Yoon YM, Newlands C. Quality standards of medical grade Manuka honey. In: White R, Cooper R, Molan P, eds. Honey: A Modern Wound Management Product. Aberdeen, UK: Wounds UK publishing;2006. 5. Molan P. Honey as a topical antibacterial agent for treatment of infected wounds. World Wide Wounds. Available at: www.worldwidewounds.com/2001/november/mola n/honey-as-topical-agent.html Accessed July 15, 2007. 6. Namias N. Honey in the management of infections. Surg Infect. 2003;4(2):219 226. 7. Zumla A, Lulat A. Honey: a remedy rediscovered. J Royal Society of Med. 1989;82:384 385. 8. Jones R. Honey and healing through the ages. In: Munn P, Jones R eds. Honey and Healing. Cardiff, UK. International Bee Research Association. 2001:1 4. 9. Molan PC. The evidence supporting the use of honey as a wound dressing. Lower Extremity Wounds. 2006;5(1):40 54. 10. Molan PC. Why honey is effective as a medicine 2. The scientific explanation of its effects. Bee World. 2001;82(1):22 40. 11. Dowsett C, Ayello E. TIME principles of chronic wound bed preparation and treatment In: Cutting KF ed. Trends in Wound Care IV. London, UK: MA Healthcare Ltd. 12. Al-Waili NS, Saloom KY. Effects of topical honey on post-operative wound infections due to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria following Caesarean sections and hysterectomies. Eur J Med Res. 1999;4:126 130. 13. Betts JA, Molan PC. A pilot trial of honey as a wound dressing has shown the importance of the way that honey is applied to wounds. Presented at the 11th European Wound Management Association conference. Dublin, Ireland. May 17 19, 2001. 14. Ahmed AK, Hoekstra MJ, Hage JJ, Karim RB. Honeymedicated dressing: transformation of an ancient remedy into modern therapy. Ann Plast Surg. 2003;50(2):143 148. 15. Postmes T, Vandeputte J. Recombinant growth fac- November 2007 Vol. 53 Issue 11 53
tors of honey. Burns. 1999;25:676 678. 16. Kumar A, Sharma VK, Singh HO, Prakash O, Singh SP. Efficacy of some indigenous drugs in tissue repair in buffaloes. Indian Vet J. 1993;70(1):42 44. 17. Oryan A, Zaker SR. Effects of topical application of honey on cutaneous wound healing in rabbits. J Vet Med. 1998;Series A45(3):181 188. 18. Subrahmanyam M. A prospective randomized clinical and histological study of superficial burn wound healing with honey and silver sulfadiazine. Burns. 1998;24(2):157 161. 19. Subrahmanyam M, Sahapure AG, Nagane NS, et al. Effects of topical application of honey on burn wound healing. Ann Burns Fire Disasters. 2001;14(3):143 145. 20. Subrahmanyam M, Sahapure AG, Nagane NS, et al. Free radical control the main mechanism of the action of honey in burns. Ann Burns Fire Disasters. 2003;16(3):135 138. 21. Molan PC. Re-introducing honey in the management of wounds and ulcers theory and practice. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2002;48(11):28 40. 22. Molan PC. Mode of action. In: White R, Cooper R, Molan P, eds. Honey: A Modern Wound Management Product. Aberdeen, UK: Wounds UK Publishing;2006. 23. Stephen-Haynes J. Evaluation of honey impregnated tulle dressing in primary care. Brit J Community Nurs. 2004:June(wound care Suppl):S21 S27. 24. Cutting K, White R. Maceration of the skin: 1. The nature and causes of skin maceration. J Wound Care. 2002;11(7):275 278. 25. Efem SEE. Recent advances in the management of Fournier s gangrene: preliminary observations. Surgery. 1993;113(2):200 204. 26. Wood B, Rademaker M, Molan PC. Manuka honey, a low cost leg ulcer dressing. New Zealand Med J. 1997;110:107. 27. Dunford C, Cooper R, Molan PC. Using honey as a dressing for infected skin lesions. Nurs Times. 2000;96(14 NT-Plus):7 9. 28. George NM, Cutting KF. Medihoney Antibacterial honey in vitro activity against clinical isolates of MRSA, VRE and other multi-resistant Gram-negative organisms including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. WOUNDS. 2007. In press. 29. Karayil S, Deshpande SD, Koppikar GV. Effect of honey on multidrug resistant organisms and its synergistic action with three common antibiotics. J Postgrad Med. 1998;44:93 97. 30. Cooper RA, Halas E. Molan PC. The efficacy of honey in inhibiting strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from infected burns. J Burn Care Rehabil. 2002;23:366 370. 31. Wahdan HA. Causes of the antimicrobial activity of honey. Infection. 1998;26(1):26 31. 32. Cutting KF. Wound Infection understanding, assessment and control. Wound Care Society educational booklet 2006. Wound Care Society, UK. 33. Irish J, Carter D, Blair S. Honey prevents biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus. Poster presentation 8th Asian Apicultural Association Conference. Perth, Australia. March 20 24, 2006. 34. Okhiria O, Henriques A, Burton N, Peters A, Cooper RA. The potential of Manuka honey for the disruption of biofilms produced by strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from wounds. Poster presentation at the 155th Meeting of the Society for General Microbiology. Dublin, Ireland. September 6 9, 2004. 54 OstomyWound Management