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Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) honey as a subgingival delivery device in the treatment of chronic periodontitis - a pilot study.

Use of manuka honey subgingivally, as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) versus SRP alone, during treatment of chronic periodontitis in adult patients, in order to reduce probing pocket depths and gingival bleeding; a randomised single-blinded split-mouth clinical trial.

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ANZCTR
Registry ID
ACTRN12614000227695
Acronym
MAP Pilot study (Manuka honey for Adjunctive treatment of Periodontitis)
Enrollment
6
Registered
2014-03-04
Start date
2014-03-21
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

The unique antimicrobial properties of honey are well recognized. Although many honeys display antibacterial effects, the active ingredient thought to be responsible for the unique and superior antibacterial properties of honey obtained from the manuka shrub is methylglyoxal, measured by a Unique Manuka Factor (UMF registered trademark) rating. In recent years local delivery systems containing antibiotics have been introduced as an adjunctive therapy to traditional treatment of periodontal (gum) disease to optimize healing. However, use of a natural product utilising the superior therapeutic potential of our own readily-available New Zealand manuka honey in the treatment of periodontitis may show significant potential. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of manuka honey delivered into the periodontal pocket following scaling and root planing (SRP+UMF), with scaling and root planing alone (SRP). This study is the pilot trial to test the ease of application of the honey and its ability to stay in the pocket. The second phase for which a separate registrations has been made, will recruit 60 patients who fit the inclusion criteria from a private specialist periodontal practice and a single-blind, split-mouth, randomised clinical trial design methodology will be followed. Clinical measurements and microbiological analysis of plaque samples will be analysed for 6 months post-treatment.

Interventions

This pilot study will examine the ease of application of the product, the substantivity of the active manuka honey agent within the periodontal pocket, and the release profile of the proposed Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) agent during a 7-day pharmacokinetic study. Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) Honey will be applied below the gum around teeth with periodontitis, in combination with scaling and root planing (SRP). Each participant will receive full mouth SRP under local anaesthetic in two treatment ses

This pilot study will examine the ease of application of the product, the substantivity of the active manuka honey agent within the periodontal pocket, and the release profile of the proposed Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) agent during a 7-day pharmacokinetic study. Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) Honey will be applied below the gum around teeth with periodontitis, in combination with scaling and root planing (SRP). Each participant will receive full mouth SRP under local anaesthetic in two treatment sessions of one hour per session, over a 24-hour period. 0.05ml of Manuka honey will be delivered using a blunt cannula into the test site immediately after SRP, where possible after the first treatment session.

Sponsors

Dr Helen English
Lead SponsorIndividual

Study design

Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Other
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Adult patients with chronic periodontitis (two non-molar sites in opposite quadrants with pocket depths greater than or equal to 6mm and bleeding on periodontal probing)

Exclusion criteria

Current or recent (<6 months) antibiotic therapy, pregnancy or breastfeeding, uncontrolled diabetes, medical conditions or devices requiring antibiotic prophylaxis, current bisphosphonate therapy, immunocompromised individuals or those with a known hypersensitivity to pollen or bee products.

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ANZCTR · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026