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Synergy between oxacillin and manuka honey sensitizes methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to oxacillin

Rowena E Jenkins1, Rose Cooper

  • 1Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Cardiff School of Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Western Avenue, Cardiff CF5 2YB, Wales, UK. rojenkins@cardiffmet.ac.uk

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|March 3, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Manuka honey and oxacillin synergistically inhibit methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Honey reverses antibiotic resistance in MRSA by down-regulating mecR1, restoring susceptibility to oxacillin.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Manuka honey is an ancient remedy now used in modern medicine.
  • Manuka honey inhibits methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by disrupting cell division.
  • Synergistic effects between honey and antibiotics are suggested for Gram-negative bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of Manuka honey on oxacillin resistance in MRSA.
  • To explore the potential of honey-antibiotic combinations in combating resistant bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Disc diffusion assays, Etest strips, and serial broth dilution were used.
  • Chequerboard titration and growth curve analyses were performed.
  • Microarray analysis identified gene expression changes in response to honey treatment.

Main Results:

  • Manuka honey and oxacillin demonstrated synergistic inhibition of MRSA.
  • Manuka honey reversed oxacillin resistance in MRSA.
  • Exposure to Manuka honey led to the down-regulation of the mecR1 gene in MRSA cells.

Conclusions:

  • Manuka honey, at inhibitory concentrations, down-regulates mecR1 in MRSA.
  • Subinhibitory concentrations of Manuka honey combined with oxacillin restored oxacillin susceptibility to MRSA.
  • Further research into other honey and antibiotic combinations is warranted.

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