Publication details
Comparing the antibacterial and healing properties of medical-grade honey and silver-based wound care products in burns
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2024 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Burns |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305417923002115?via%3Dihub |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2023.10.009 |
| Keywords | Medical-grade honey; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Silver sulphadiazine; Silver nitrate; Infected burn wounds; Wound healing |
| Description | Burns are a major global healthcare concern, often complicated by the presence of bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the wounds. Silver-based dressings are commonly used in the treatment of burns but can cause skin irritation and delay healing time. Medical-grade honey (MGH) provides an interesting alternative. This study investigated the antimicrobial effects and possible cytotoxicity of L-Mesitran Soft (MGH-gel) and its individual components, Medihoney (Manuka), Flammazine (silver sulphadiazine), and silver nitrate (AgNO3) in an ex vivo human burn wound model. Bacterial survival and wound healing parameters, including re-epithelialization and keratinocyte proliferation were assessed. L-Mesitran, Flammazine, and AgNO3 reduced P. aeruginosa numbers below detection levels. L-Mesitran Soft exhibited a significantly stronger antimicrobial effect compared to Medihoney. The individual components of L-Mesitran contributed significantly to its antibacterial efficacy, thus suggesting synergistic activities. Moreover, L-Mesitran, Flammazine, and AgNO3 slightly inhibited re-epithelialization while Medihoney treatment resulted in a complete lack of re-epithelialization and keratinocyte proliferation. Furthermore, clinical cases illustrated the effectiveness of MGH therapy in infected burns. Overall, L-Mesitran Soft had similar effects as silver-based products on bacterial load and epidermal regeneration, but outperformed Medihoney. Therefore, supplemented MGH could be used as an effective alternative to silver-based dressings for P. aeruginosa-infected burns. |