Abstract

PROMISING PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS OF HONEY: A REVIEW

Samrudhi Pathare*, Padmini Ravikumar and Ankita Mistry

ABSTRACT

Medicinal uses of honey have been archived in the world's medical literature, and since olden times, it has been known to possess many useful properties. Honey has been used in traditional medicines, alone or in conjunction with other substances, and has been administered both topically and orally. In addition, natural honey has been subjected to clinical and a laboratory examination by several expert groups and it has managed to find a position in modern medicine. Inhibitory effect of honey has been reported on over 60 species of bacteria, viruses and a few species of fungi. Antioxidant activity of honey is attributed to a wide range of compounds including peptides, phenolics, organic acids, enzymes, and glucose oxidase that contains gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide which are important in treatment of many disease conditions. Honey has been successfully used in hemodialysis, diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), autolytic debridement, mucositis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis and hemorrhoid. This review covers ancient mythology, composition, morphological properties and the most salient uses of honey in modern human diseases which are supported by recent clinical trials cited in medical journals.

Keywords: Traditional, modern, antioxidant activity.