newresearch

APJ 94

that compared the effects of Manuka honey and a commonly used

hydrogen dressing on 100 patients with chronic leg ulcerations.

Those patients treated with Manuka dressings experienced a higher

rate of cleansing and faster healing than those who used the hydrogen Honey has long been used as an ingredient in skincare, dressing. Ten of the patients had ulcers colonised with methicillin-

recognised for its ability to hold moisture to the skin, but resitant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). After four weeks seven of

research is now focusing on other more penetrative those 10 wounds no longer showed the bacteria's presence.benefits.

Comvita, which exports honey-based skincare among its other natural From a nutritional point of view honey offers a cocktail of vitamins products, is collaborating with the University of Auckland to learn ranging from thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B12 and biotin. more about how Manuka honey works, with the aim of progressing Along with minerals and amino acids, honey also contains a number from laboratory to skin tests. of live enzymes that help promote optimal health. Although in small

quantities it is the synergy of these nutrients that provide the body with Recently Dr Ralf Schlothauer, Chief Technology Officer and health benefits. supervisor of the Comvita research team in New Zealand, was

approached by APJ to share with us some of the recent discoveries on All honey is medicinal to some extent, although Manuka honey has Manuka honey. Here we share with you the outcome of our interview. validated research on the compounds that render it superior. In recent

years the distinct anti-bacterial properties of New Zealand's Manuka

honey have attracted interest for wound dressing, and now Comvita, a

company at the forefront of promoting its medical application, is

exploring its anti-inflammatory actions. Calming skin to deter the

ageing effects of free radical activity has now become a core skincare

goal.

One reason for the heightened interest in Manuka honey is that The active compound is phenolic acid, which is

pharmaceutical antibiotics are proving increasingly powerless against similar to tannin found in red wine. This is chemically related to

certain microbes. In 2000, a World Health Organisation report Resveratrol, but it is still different. Our studies provide evidence that

warned: "Since 1970, no new classes of antibacterial drugs have been support that phenolic acid works by inhibiting the activity of a group

developed to combat infectious diseases." Today, according to many of enzymes called MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases), which are

health organisations, nearly all significant bacterial infections in the capable of degrading collagen in the skin. These MMPs compromise

world are becoming resistant to the most commonly prescribed the human immune system when inflammation is expressed.

antibiotic treatments. Hence the hope that a naturally occurring

substance such as Manuka honey might help fill the void.We know that skin ageing is caused by both chronological ageing and

photo-ageing. We also know that sun exposure up-regulates the At a recent meeting of the European Wound Management

MMPs that leads to a loss of collagen. You would understand that Association, researchers presented the results of a small Irish study

collagen is a critical provider of strength and resilience to the skin, so

Q1: I believe that research conducted by Comvita's team of

scientists from the Institute of Innovation in Biotechnology at the

University of Auckland has revealed that a specific blend of

Manuka honey contains active compounds that help slow the

signs of ageing. Can you tell us what are those compounds and

how they support the body against the signs of ageing?

Dr Schlothauer:

New Discoveries on the Therapeutic Properties

of Dr Ralf Schlothauer

Manuka Honey

APJ 95

when it breaks down, skin loses its firmness and wrinkles are formed. know that no bacterial can grow in honey, however, some yeasts may

What phenolic acid does is to act as a direct inhibitor of MMPs by grow, so for wound-healing purposes it is filtered and sterilised. Also

binding to these proteins and enzymes. in skincare products it needs to be appropriately formulated.

Comvita has two different ranges – the Comvita skincare ranges,

which is sold in department stores through David Jones. This range

has 5% Manuka honey. The second range is the MediHoney range, For over 20 years the evidence pointed to the anti-

which is recommended for salon or clinic use as this is a stronger microbial benefits of this honey. Initially, it was recognised for its

formulation that contains 30-40% Manuka honey. The higher positive effect on wound healing. It has often been proven effective

concentration gives it the added benefit of anti-microbial and anti-even when pharmacological antibiotics have failed. Manuka has

inflammatory properties as delivered by the phenolic acid.shown positive results against wound healing with specific

challenging bacteria, such as methicillin-resitant staphylococcus The MediHoney products are also excellent for compromised skin

aureus (MRSA). In recent times, however, other properties have been that is itchy or scaly such as eczema and dermatitis, and it is able to

identified, not just its anti-microbial benefits, such as its anti-protect the skin from secondary infection. As Manuka honey is also

inflammatory effects. These were noted when Manuka was used on acidic (usually has a pH of around 4-5 in a cream form) it will also

wounds it also took away inflammation and pain, which were the restore the skin's pH balance, thus supporting its barrier function and

secondary side effects to the infection. immunity.

Other honey variations also have good properties, however, Manuka,

because of its high phenolic acid content, is considered highly

medicinal. The rule of thumb is if a honey is blonde it has no, or very

low, levels of phenolic acid. Phenolic acid is dark and when present in

a honey it will give it a dark colour. We are looking at investigating various other

applications that can benefit the body such as throat lozenges for sore

throats. Our main research focus is now going to be on looking at the

anti-inflammatory aspect of Manuka, particularly for the benefit of

producing appropriate personal care products. For this, we have Honey is not just sugar, there are a whole lot of other

received a government grant to assist us.nutrients that provide health benefits. Of course if you are diabetic or

overweight you need to be cautious with the quantity you ingest.

While it can be used to sweeten tea or other drinks it can also benefit Manuka honey is processed very differently to the body because of its anti-inflammatory properties. For example,

ensure any bee contamination is removed. It undergoes strict filtration 20mls can be taken on an empty stomach as an anti-inflammatory to measures and sterilisation processes, which adds to its cost. support the stomach lining by coating the mucus membrane. Furthermore, the demand for Manuka honey is growing and is much

higher than the supply.

We are currently further investigating Manuka's

different mechanisms and how they effect inflammation. We know

that ageing skin typically has ongoing low-grade inflammation. The

outcome of this is wrinkles, which are accelerated because of this Dr Ralf Schlothauer, M. Tech, PhD (Bioprocess)underlying inflammation. Phenolic acid in Manuka honey has been

Chief Technology Officershown to also provide anti-inflammatory properties. Minimising Dr Schlothauer joined Comvita in January 2006 as Chief

inflammation will assist the skin by supporting moisture retention, Technology Officer and has overall strategic and

minimising dryness and helping functional responsibility preserve skin elasticity. As we age the f o r r e s e a r c h a n d skin becomes thinner because the d e v e l o p m e n t , n e w

product development, elastosis material deteriorates. The and regulatory affairs. high percentage of phenolic acid in D r S c h l o t h a u e r Manuka honey can therefore benefit supervises the Comvita research team that is the skin through its anti-inflammatory co-located at the Institute of Innovation in

process that has a direct link to ageing Biotechnology at the University of Auckland.

skin. He is originally from northern Germany

where he earnt a masters of bioprocess

engineering and a PhD in the same field. Dr

Schlothauer has worked in New Zealand for

extended periods with Massey University,

New Zealand Dairy Research Institute (now

part of Fonterra) and most recently at Tatua

Nutritionals. In between assignments, Ralf As we know honey was Group Manager – Probiotics for Danisco

is very sticky, so it may not be in Germany. Although working from an

practical to just use it from the jar. For industrial base over the past 15 years he has skincare application it is required to kept a very active academic interest directly undergo certain processes to make it supervising internships, masters programs or

PhDs with various universities over the years.skin friendly and practical to use. We

Q2: Can you tell us what is unique about Manuka honey

compared to other honey variations?

Dr. Schlothauer:

Q6: What research are you currently working on and do you see

Manuka honey gaining greater recognition and providing other

health-benefit solutions?

Dr. Schlothauer:

Q3: When ingested, what benefits can Manuka honey provide

the body, and is there a recommended dosage?

Dr. Schlothauer:

Q7: Why is Manuka honey more expensive than regular honey?

Dr. Schlothauer:

Q4: In terms of skin, how can a formula that contains Manuka

benefit the skin?For further details on Comvita phone 1800 466 392 or visit

Dr. Schlothauer: www.comvita.com.au. Check out also information in

SPOTLIGHT ON PRODUCTS.

Q5. Can raw honey be used for

topical application or does it

require to be appropriately

formulated for better penetration?

Dr. Schlothauer: