Manuka Honey Microneedle: Methods and Uses

Technology

The synthesis method described in this patent involves using a material with medicinal properties that is already FDA-approved for wound care, and which can serve as a drug delivery substrate. This method enables the creation of up to 100% pure honey microneedles, maintaining their natural chemical and enzymatic properties without the need for high heat, unlike other sugar-based microneedles. The gentle synthesis process allows for the inclusion of drugs or proteins without damaging or degrading them, which is particularly valuable for delivering delicate therapeutics, such as RNA- or DNA-based treatments. Using honey as the microneedle base, known for its antibacterial and wound-healing properties, allows the microneedles to be used for wound management or as a drug delivery tool, promoting healing and reducing the chance of infection at the delivery site. Additionally, honey may act as a natural adjuvant, providing immunostimulant properties and enhancing drug uptake through the physical stimulation of microneedling. In dermatology, this technique can promote collagen formation, prevent infection, and encourage short-acting local inflammation, enhancing blood flow and tissue regeneration, which is beneficial for scar reduction and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.

Problem Addressed

The synthesis of sugar-based microneedles typically requires high-temperature conditions, which may restrict the ability to drug load specific targets within the microneedle itself. Microneedles penetrate the skin and result in a defect in the epithelial barrier, increasing the potential risk of acquiring an infection at the site of microneedle penetration. Manuka Honey, an FDA-approved product for the treatment of complex wounds, possesses natural antibiotic and antifungal properties. However, the current methods of applying the honey to wounds, through a gel or cream or on a bandage, only reach the superficial portion of the wound and may not effectively treat deeper infections, such as cellulitis.

Advantages

• Methods for the synthesis of MHMs which retains the enzymatic and chemical characteristics of the honey
• The method of MHM synthesis is gentle enough to enable the loading of other drugs into the microneedle base itself, without an additional coating step
• The MHMs combine two FDA-approved techniques: microneedling and Medical Grade Manuka Honey
• MHMs can be a combined device and therapeutic and may be a way to administer sensitive drug loads, vaccines, or treat complicated infections – such as those with antibiotic resistant bacteria or fungal infections.

Publications

Galit H. Frydman, et al. Manuka honey microneedles for enhanced wound healing and the prevention and/or treatment of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus. Nature. 2020 August 6. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-70186-9