SurgihoneyROTM anticmicrobial wound gel is an approved medical device (dressing) for treating a wide range of acute and chronic wounds including: leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, burns, skin graft sites and surgical wounds.
In 2017, the NHS through Public Health England’s guidance on the treatment of common infections recognised Reactive Oxygen® wound gel (SurgihoneyROTM ) as a treatment for venous leg ulcers to reduce bacterial load and infection, explaining it could help reduce antibiotic use. (28 )
SurgihoneyROTM (formerly known as Surgihoney) is a natural product that has been bioengineered to provide a managed and consistent level of antimicrobial activity. It supports the body’s defence system to combat infection and stimulate healing.
Its broad-spectrum antimicrobial action comes from the release of hydrogen peroxide, a reactive oxygen species (ROS), at therapeutic levels to the infection site for a prolonged period. 6) Laboratory testing suggests this can be for up to three days.(1)
SurgihoneyROTM is highly effective against common wound-infecting bacteria, including multi-drug resistant strains such as MRSA and Pseudomonas. Laboratory testing has also demonstrated antibiofilm action.(15) ROS promotes wound healing at a cellular level by acting as secondary messengers to cells involved in the repair process and new tissue generation.(13)
In a multi-centre clinical evaluation, SurgihoneyROTM was observed to help a wide range of wounds progress toward healing – leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, surgical wounds, diabetic foot ulcers and trauma.(16)Read the paper.
SurgihoneyRO™ is a sterile, multi-action wound gel:
- Effective de-sloughing agent which helps to clean the wound bed and prepare it for healing (16)
- Provides a barrier to help keep a moist wound environment which aids healing
- Broad spectrum antimicrobial action in vitro against Gram-positive, Gram-negative and multi-drug resistant bacteria, including MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1)
- Fast-acting – kills bacteria in vitro in as little as 30 minutes (1)
- Prevents and disrupts biofilm in vitro(15,27)
- Reduces pain & inflammation (16)
- Provides nutrients (glucose) to stimulate granulation tissue formation and promote healing
- Viscous nature protects and makes dressing changes easier (less painful)
Benefits of SurgihoneyRO™ compared to other antimicrobial agents
Hydrocolloid / Alginate products | Silver dressings | Antispectics (e.g. iodine, chlorhexidine) | SurgihoneyRO™ | |
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Antimicrobial | ![]() |
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Antibiofilm | ![]() |
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Safe (non-toxic) | ![]() |
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Promotes wound healing at a cellular level | ![]() |
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Wound barrier | ![]() |
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Moisture control | ![]() |
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De-sloughing agent | ![]() |
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Local wound nutrition | ![]() |
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Odour control | ![]() |
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Pain Suppressant | ![]() |
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Biofilms
Biofilms are communities of bacteria and other micro-organisms living within a self-secreted and protective matrix. The majority of chronic wounds are believed to contain a biofilm, which can impede healing and are highly resistant to antibiotics.
Scientists from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Surgical Resconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, a research arm of the NHS, demonstrated SurgihoneyROTM can prevent and disrupt biofilms of 16 common wound-infecting bacteria, including MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (in vitro) (8, 15, 27)
Superior anti-biofilm action was observed compared to standard medical honeys and honey-impregnated dressings. SurgihoneyROTM is comparable to silver-impregnated dressings in antimicrobial activity but without the toxic side-effects.(1, 15)