Results of a new study show that Manuka honey can inhibit proteins in bacteria, including MRSA. The results show how helpful natural compounds are for helping humans treat disease. Researchers studied MRSA in the lab, finding that Manuka honey has properties that can kill bacteria, and that it is not just the result of sugars found in honey.
Scientists grew MRSA in the lab. They exposed the bacteria to Manuka honey, repeating the study and exposing MRSA to sugar syrup alone.
One particular protein, FabI, was missing from MRSA exposed to Manuka honey. The researchers, when separating the proteins, also found other proteins missing from MRSA that keep the bacteria alive and propagating.
The scientists believe Manuka honey inhibits biosynthesis of bacteria by restricting important cellular components such as lipopolysaccarides that, when expressed by cell membranes in response to bacterial infection can lead to septic shock.
Dr Rowena Jenkins and colleagues from the University of Wales Institute – Cardiff investigated the bacteria fighting properties of Manuka honey. According to Dr. Jenkins, "Manuka and other honeys have been known to have wound healing and anti-bacterial properties for some time. But the way in which they act is still not known. If we can discover exactly how Manuka honey inhibits MRSA it could be used more frequently as a first-line treatment for infections with bacteria that are resistant to many currently available antibiotics".
Manuka honey is produced by bees that harvest from the Manuka bush, indigenous to New Zealand. The researchers hope to discover more about how Manuka honey could be developed into other compounds to fight MRSA and other drug resistant bacterial infections.
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