Recent advancements have shed light on the potential of honey, particularly Manuka and citrus honey, as effective antimicrobial agents. A study published on March 3, 2025, investigated the enhancement of these natural remedies by incorporating natural additives—aloe vera, Indian costus, and mint oil—into cream formulations. The research highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions to combat antimicrobial resistance, which contributes to nearly 700,000 deaths annually due to drug-resistant infections.
The research team created two types of emulsions: one based on aerosil fumed silica and the other on arabic gum. These formulations were optimized through sonication, producing creams aimed at assessing antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Escherichia coli, alongside fungi including Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The results were impressive, with one of the formulations demonstrating inhibition zones of up to 28 mm against B. cereus and 24 mm against S. Typhimurium.
Biofilms, which are clusters of bacteria protected by extracellular matrices, are significant contributors to chronic infections. They shield bacteria from the immune response, making treatment challenging. This study evaluated the antibiofilm activity of the honey-based formulations using a 3D biofilm model, concluding specific combinations reduced biofilm viability by 44.39% and 21.33% against P. aeruginosa and MRSA, respectively. The promise of honey-based creams lies not only in combating infections but also addressing the mounting challenges posed by drug-resistant pathogens.
Antimicrobial resistance is becoming one of the most pressing issues facing healthcare systems globally, with projections indicating rising mortality associated with various bacterial pathogens. The findings of this study reveal the fascinating potential of natural substances, like honey, to combat this crisis effectively. The incorporation of natural additives only strengthens the case for these formulations as viable alternatives to synthetic antibiotics.
Among the competing honey types, Manuka honey stands out due to its high content of methylglyoxal (MGO) and unique antimicrobial properties. The study found it distinctively effective against biofilm-associated pathogens, facilitating wound healing and infection control. Citrus honey, with its flavonoids and bioactive compounds, also held demonstrated promise, though with slightly lesser efficacy compared to its Manuka counterpart.
Research revealed the formulations with citrus honey and Indian costus were particularly effective. The evaluation included gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis to identify volatile and non-volatile compounds within citrus honey contributing to its antimicrobial properties. The results not only reaffirmed the therapeutic potential of honey compositions but also underscored the significance of research focusing on alternative natural antimicrobial agents combined with effective delivery systems.
The potential clinical applications of these findings are noteworthy. Chronic wound management is often complicated by biofilm formation, which inhibits healing and fosters resistance mechanisms against traditional antibiotics. With formulations successfully demonstrating strong antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities, there is potential for significant advancements toward developing effective treatments for chronic wounds and infections associated with multidrug-resistant strains.
Future research will undoubtedly focus on the direct mechanisms of action of these formulations on both microbial cells and biofilms. The exploration of how compounds like 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), identified through the GC-MS analysis, interact with microbial structures will be pivotal. The prospect of employing honey-based therapeutics for addressing persistent infections could revolutionize treatment approaches, especially where conventional antibiotics fail.
Overall, the findings suggest enhancing honey-based formulations with natural additives significantly increases their efficacy against multidrug-resistant pathogens, presenting valuable insights toward the development of novel antimicrobial therapies rich with potential therapeutic benefits.