MGO (Methylglyoxal) Is the Major Antibiotic of Manuka Honeys from NZ (New Zealand)

Over 80% of honey contents are sugars (mainly glucose and fructose), but
recently some honey samples, in particular Manuka honeys from NZ, were shown
by a German research team to have a strong anti-bacterial activity, mainly
due to its component called MGO (methylgyoxal). Therefore, Manuka honeys
are now called "super" honeys, fighting against bacteria.

In an early 2008, Prof. Thomas Henle and his colleagues at Technical University
of Dresden in Germany reported that MGO is directly responsible for the
anti-bacterial activity of Manuka honey from NZ. The MIC (minimum inhibitory
concentration) of MGO for both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria were
1.1 mM. The MGO levels in the Manuka honeys were up to 250 fold higher than
in the non-Manuka honeys.

Among these Manuka honeys, a Manuka Health honey product called "UMF 25"
was the richest in MGO, containing 761 mg/kg. Interestingly, the UMF (Unique
Manuka Factor) values appear to be directly related to the MGO content.


In addition, Manuka Health produces a unique CAPE-based propolis extract
called "Bio 30" which was recently shown to suppress almost completely the
growth of NF (neurofibromatosis) tumor, pancreatic and breast cancer as
well as glioma xenografts in mice.

The outcome of "Bio 30 Trials for NF2 Tumors" with around 50 patients
has revealed that at least 30-40% have clearly got a benefit from Bio 30,
although the trials are still in an early stage (6-12 months). For detail,
visit the following website: http://www.advocurenf2.org/03_bio30.html



Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 Apr;52: 483-9.

Identification and quantification of methylglyoxal as the dominant antibacterial
constituent of Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) honeys from New Zealand.

Mavric E, Wittmann S, Barth G, Henle T.

Institute of Food Chemistry, Technische Hochschule der Dresden, Germany.


Phytother Res. 2009 Feb; 23: 226-30.

CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester)-based propolis extract (Bio 30) suppresses
the growth of human neurofibromatosis (NF) tumor xenografts in mice.

Demestre M, Messerli SM, Celli N, Shahhossini M, Kluwe L, Mautner V, Maruta
H.

UKE (Universitaets Klinikum Eppendorf), Hamburg 20246, Germany.

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