Bioactive Components of Honey

Honey, produced from various nectar sources, has about 300 identified types. It primarily consists of carbohydrates, making up 95-97% of its dry weight. The main carbohydrates are the sugars fructose and glucose. Honey also contains smaller amounts of disaccharides and oligosaccharides formed during ripening [1]. In addition to sugars, honey includes enzymes [2], vitamins, amino acids, and minerals such as phosphorus, sodium, calcium, potassium, sulfur, magnesium, and chlorine [3]. Organic acids like gluconic, acetic, formic, and citric acids give honey its acidic nature [4]. Honey is rich in bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and polyphenols. It contains approximately 30 types of polyphenols, such as gallic acid, syringic acid, ellagic acid, and quercetin [5,6]. These compounds are known for their antioxidant properties, which may help in treating cancer, inflammation, and infections.

Antibacterial Properties of Honey

Honey has long been used in traditional medicine, and recent research has validated its medicinal properties. Studies have shown that honey can inhibit many types of bacteria, including both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. This makes honey an effective natural remedy for various bacterial infections [7]. The antimicrobial and soothing properties of honey may enhance the effectiveness of conventional medications, providing a natural boost to the immune system and alleviating cold symptoms more rapidly [8]. Honey can soothe irritated throats, reduce coughing, and provide comfort to young patients, making it an effective and economical alternative to over-the-counter cough medicines [9].

A role in Enhancing Antibiotic Efficacy and combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Honey has been found to act synergistically with various antibiotics, often reversing bacterial resistance to these drugs. This synergy has significant implications for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. Honey reversed the resistance of MRSA and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, making them sensitive to antibiotics again [10]. Honey and oxacillin together inhibited MRSA and reversed MRSA resistance, making it sensitive to oxacillin [11]. Honey acted synergistically with gentamicin, amikacin, and ceftazidime against Pseudomonas species [12]. Honey is an alternative treatment approach in chronic wounds and burns of different natures in inhibiting microorganisms not responding to conventional antibiotics without side effects.

Antifungal Properties of Honey

Honey has been found to be an effective topical treatment for various fungal infections, including ringworm, athlete’s foot, jock itch, nail fungus, and yeast infections. Row honey can reduce fungal growth and toxin production, when diluted [13]. It has antifungal effects against certain yeasts, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and common dermatophytes [14]. Honey is also effective against Candida albicans, which causes candidiasis [15]. Topical application of honey has proven beneficial for skin infections and dandruff treatment [16]. A study involving pregnant women with vulvovaginal candidiasis revealed that vaginal application of a honey and yogurt mixture resulted in a high clinical cure [17]. Honey has demonstrated significant antifungal activity against various Candida species, including C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. kefyr, C. glabrata, and C. dubliniensis [18]. Honey, both alone and in combination with miconazole, has been found effective in treating Tinea capitis (scalp infection) and Tinea versicolor (skin infection) in children [19].

Antiviral Activity of Honey

Honey has demonstrated antiviral properties. Honey ingestion reduced the symptoms of hepatitis A [20] and hepatitis B [21]. The topical application of honey is equivalent to or even better than acyclovir in providing symptomatic relief for recurrent herpes simplex lesions, both labial and genital [22]. Honey water solution has been shown to completely inhibit type 1 herpes simplex virus isolated from lip lesions of patients [23]. An study demonstrated that honey exhibits significant antiviral activity against the varicella-zoster virus, isolated from patients [24].

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Honey

Studies have shown that honey possesses anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the activity of cyclooxygenase enzymes 1 and 2 [25]. Honey reduced serum prostaglandin levels in healthy volunteers [26].

Honey as an Antidiabetic Agent

Honey's lower glycemic index makes it suitable for both insulin-dependent and insulin-independent diabetes. Compared to dextrose, honey leads to significantly lower increases in plasma glucose levels in diabetic individuals [27]. Studies have shown that honey stimulates insulin secretion, reduces blood glucose levels, increases hemoglobin values, and improves lipid profiles in diabetic patients [28]. A study has demonstrated that honey ingestion can yield significant health benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes [29]. The results showed decreased blood pressure, body weight, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, alongside an increase in HDL cholesterol levels.

Anticancer Effects of Honey

Honey has emerged as a promising natural remedy with anticancer effects. Studies have indicated its ability to inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells [30], particularly in experimental models of bladder cancer [31]. The toxicity of honey on normal primary cells has been evaluated, showing a selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells [32]. Scientists used advanced techniques to analyze honey effects on different cancer cells, including colorectal, breast, and lung cancer cells. The study revealed that honey could significantly inhibit the growth of these cancer cells, particularly colorectal cancer cells [33]. Multifloral honey has a protective effect against DMBA-induced mammary cancer [34]. Honey inhibits the growth of human breast adenocarcinoma cells [35]. As far as chemotherapy side effects are concerned, honey has demonstrated significant effectiveness in treating oral mucositis, a common side effect of cancer treatments [36]. Additionally, a meta-analysis of controlled trials demonstrated honey's protective effects against radiation-induced oral mucositis, showing an overall relative risk reduction of 80% in the honey treatment group compared to the control [37].

Antihypertensive Effects of Honey

Research has shown that the ingestion of 75 grams of honey can significantly decrease blood pressure in hypertensive patients [38]. Honey's antihypertensive effects are likely due to its rich antioxidant content, which helps reduce stress and improve vascular function. Moreover, honey contains compounds that can induce relaxation of the blood vessels, leading to lowered blood pressure.

Oral Health capabilities

A study revealed that sucking on honey-based products significantly decreased dental plaque and gum bleeding [39]. Honey has been shown to inhibit the growth of oral bacteria, specifically Streptococcus mutans, by blocking biofilm formation [40]. Honey's antibacterial properties, coupled with its ability to promote healing, make it an excellent choice for improving dental health.

Remedy for Skin Conditions

A mixture of honey, olive oil, and beeswax has proven effective in treating various skin conditions, including diaper dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, skin fungal infections, hemorrhoids, and anal fissures. This natural blend harnesses the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties of honey, the nourishing and antioxidant benefits of olive oil, and the protective and soothing qualities of beeswax [41,42].

Effective in Wound Healing

A comprehensive review of human and animal studies underscores honey's effectiveness in wound healing [43]. Clinical evidence supports honey's efficacy in treating a wide range of wounds, including infected and non-healing wounds, arterial and venous ulcers, chronic pressure ulcers, lower extremity ulcers, surgical and traumatic wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, boils, burns, glutofemoral fistulas, pilonidal sinuses, necrotizing fasciitis, Fournier gangrene, Pyoderma gangrenosum, gynecological wounds, and neonatal postoperative infected wounds [44,45]. Various types of honey have been introduced into clinical practice and proven effective in wound healing. Honey's natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties make it a potent and reliable treatment option for various types of wounds, further highlighting its therapeutic benefits.

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