Advancing wound healing with Manuka honey: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

Ajele, Kenni Wojujutari and Lwaleed, Bashir A. (2026) Advancing wound healing with Manuka honey: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. PROSPERO, [CRD420261346890].

Abstract

Review objectives: this review aims to systematically evaluate and meta-analyze evidence from randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness and safety of Manuka honey in wound management. The primary question is: Does the use of Manuka honey improve wound healing outcomes compared with standard wound care or alternative dressings in patients with acute or chronic wounds?

Specifically, the review will assess whether Manuka honey reduces time to complete wound healing, increases the proportion of wounds healed, and lowers infection rates. Secondary objectives include evaluating its effects on pain, exudate control, and adverse events. The review will also explore potential differences in effectiveness across various wound types and clinical settings.

Context and rationale: wound healing remains a significant clinical challenge, particularly in the context of chronic wounds and rising antimicrobial resistance. Manuka honey has gained increasing attention due to its unique methylglyoxal-mediated antibacterial activity, anti-inflammatory effects, and potential to enhance tissue repair. While numerous randomized controlled trials have investigated its clinical use, findings are variable and dispersed across different wound types and settings. Existing reviews are often limited in scope, outdated, or lack quantitative synthesis. Therefore, a comprehensive and up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis is needed to consolidate current evidence, evaluate clinical effectiveness and safety, and inform evidence-based wound care practice and future research directions.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Author: Bashir A. Lwaleed

Download statistics