Susceptibility of Helicobacter Pylori to the Antibacterial Activity of Manuka Honey

Abstract

Honey is a traditional remedy for dyspepsia, and is still used for this by some medical practitioners although there is no rational basis for its use. The finding that Helicobacter pylori is probably the causative agent in many cases of dyspepsia has raised the possibility that the therapeutic action of honey may be due to its antibacterial properties. Consequently, the sensitivity of Helicobacter pylori to honey was tested, using isolates from biopsies of gastric ulcers. It was found that all five isolates tested were sensitive to a 20% (v/v) solution of manuka honey in an agar well diffusion assay, but none showed sensitivity to a 40% solution of a honey in which the antibacterial activity was due primarily to its content of hydrogen peroxide. Assessment of the minimum inhibitory concentration by inclusion of manuka honey in the agar showed that all seven isolates tested had visible growth over the incubation period of 72 h prevented completely by the presence of 5% (v/v) honey.

Potential for Manuka honey‐inspired therapeutics to improve the host–biomaterial response

“…Oral ingestion of Manuka honey has been found to alleviate gastrointestinal inflammation in the contexts of dyspepsia, gastritis, duodenitis, and ulcerations. 41 Additionally, when used as an anal suppository, Manuka honey has demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory properties in treating ulcerative colitis. 42 In a murine gastric ulcer model, gastric mucosal malondialdehyde (MDA) and plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were reduced.…”

A Review about Honey Effect on Human Body

“…Glucose oxidase is an enzyme which serves to preservation. (Glucose + H2O + O2 → Gluconic acid + H2O2) (Somal et al, 1994). It worth to mention here, although antimicrobial use of Hydrogen peroxide is common, it causes cellular and protein damage by increasing reactive oxygen radicals.…”

“…According to the study of Ali et al (1991), %20 honey solution inhibits Helicobacter pylori isolates which are the main cause of peptic ulcer disease, including isolates which are resistant to antibiotics. In studies conducted on gastrointestinal infections (gastritis, duodenitis, gastric ulceration) caused by bacteria and rotavirus, it has been observed that oral treatment of honey is effective (Somal et al, 1994;Topham., 2002). Antibiotic property is not the only mechanism of honey that assists preventing gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.…”

Antibacterial Properties of Honey Nanocomposite Fibrous Meshes

“…Carbohydrates make up the largest constituent of honey (approximately 82–99%), with glucose and fructose representing the main portion [ 43 ]. This high sugar concentration plays a major role in the antibacterial mode of action of honey, as well as its acidic pH and hydrogen peroxide production [ 44 , 45 , 46 ].…”

“…However, honeys’ predominant antibacterial mode of action has been attributed to the production of hydrogen peroxide and non-peroxide compounds by glucose oxidase added by bees during its production [ 44 , 45 , 46 ]. Hydrogen peroxide and non-peroxide compounds act as an antiseptic and stimulate the wound-healing process.…”