研究

Researchers across the world have committed their careers to understanding more about mānuka honey, some of the leaders in the sector include those below.

• Dr Terry Braggins, Analytica Ruakura, New Zealand
• Dr Peter Brooks, Sunshine Coast University, Australia
• Professor Yoji Kato, Hyogo University, Japan
• Professor Rose Cooper, Cardiff Metropolitan University
• Dr Russell Frew, Otago University, New Zealand
• Professor Liz Harry, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
• Dr Kerry Loomes, Auckland University, New Zealand
• Daniel Melonchelli, Sunshine Coast University, Australia
• Professor Peter Molan, Waikato University, New Zealand
• Professor Karl Speer, Dresden University, Germany
• Dr Jonathan Stephens, Auckland University, New Zealand
• Emeritus Professor Alistair Wilkins, Waikato University, New Zealand

Diabetic wounds are unlike typical wounds in that they are slower to heal, making treatment with conventional topical medications an uphill process. Among several different alternative therapies, honey is an effective choice because it provides comparatively rapid wound healing. Although honey has been used as an alternative medicine for wound healing since ancient times, the application of honey to diabetic wounds has only recently been revived. Because honey has some unique natural features as a wound healer, it works even more effectively on diabetic wounds than on normal wounds. In addition, honey is known as an “all in one” remedy for diabetic wound healing because it can combat many microorganisms that are involved in the wound process and because it possesses antioxidant activity and controls inflammation. In this review, the potential role of honey’s antibacterial activity on diabetic wound-related microorganisms and honey’s clinical effectiveness in treating diabetic wounds based on the most recent studies is described. Additionally, ways in which honey can be used as a safer, faster, and effective healing agent for diabetic wounds in comparison with other synthetic medications in terms of microbial resistance and treatment costs are also described to support its traditional claims.