Manuka honey, which shows strong nonperoxide-dependent antibacterial activity, contains unique components, such as methyl syringate 4-O-_-D-gentiobioside (leptosperin) and its aglycone,methyl syringate (MSYR). We investigated the absorption and metabolism of these components in manuka honey.

Manuka honey (15 g) was fed to healthy human volunteers.  MSYR-GA, MSYR-S, and MSYR were detected in both plasma and urine. In conjunction with the disappearances, a significant amount of metabolites along with trace leptosperin was excreted in urine within 4 h.