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Honey in dermatology and skin care: A review
Abstract
Honey is a bee-derived, supersaturated solution composed mainly of fructose and glucose, and containing proteins and amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and other minor components. Historical records of honey skin uses date back to the earliest civilizations, showing that honey has been frequently used as a binder or vehicle, but also for its therapeutic virtues. Antimicrobial properties are pivotal in dermatological applications, owing to enzymatic H2 O2 release or the presence of active components, like methylglyoxal in manuka, while medical-grade honey is also available. Honey is particularly suitable as a dressing for wounds and burns and has also been included in treatments against pityriasis, tinea, seborrhea, dandruff, diaper dermatitis, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, and anal fissure. In cosmetic formulations, it exerts emollient, humectant, soothing, and hair conditioning effects, keeps the skin juvenile and retards wrinkle formation, regulates pH and prevents pathogen infections. Honey-based cosmetic products include lip ointments, cleansing milks, hydrating creams, after sun, tonic lotions, shampoos, and conditioners. The used amounts range between 1 and 10%, but concentrations up to 70% can be reached by mixing with oils, gel, and emulsifiers, or polymer entrapment. Intermediate-moisture, dried, and chemically modified honeys are also used. Mechanisms of action on skin cells are deeply conditioned by the botanical sources and include antioxidant activity, the induction of cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase expression, as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition in wounded epidermis. Future achievements, throwing light on honey chemistry and pharmacological traits, will open the way to new therapeutic approaches and add considerable market value to the product.
... These properties are shown in Figure 2. The beneficial properties of honey help restore skin wounds and reduce scabs, minimize contractures and scars in burns, leaving very thin scars (Subrahmanyam, 2007;Tan et al., 2012). Honey components such as hydrogen peroxide promote re-epithelialization, collagen synthesis, capillary formation (Molan, 2001;Rossiter et al., 2010;Nakajima et al., 2013;Boekema et al., 2013;Al-Jadi et al., 2014 show that honey acts as a tissue repairer promotes "angiogenesis, granulation, and epithelialization, stimulates lymphocytes and phagocytes, induces the expression of molecular markers for tissue repair and the activation of keratinocytes" (Burlando & Cornara, 2013). Table 2 characterizes the properties of honey. ...
... The topical use of honey for the treatment of burns and other wounds reflects that it is a safe, non-toxic product to also be applied as a dressing on wounds (García Felipe, 2019). There is no known information on allergies or glycemia alterations in patients with diabetes mellitus, since allergy to honey is rare in people, being its topical use ico advisable (Burlando & Cornara, 2013). Skin debridement Its physical and skin debridement properties, due to its high viscosity, generate a moist environment and a barrier in the wound that promotes the healing of burns that heal better in these environments (Kaneko, 2015), ensuring the growth of new epithelial cells that do not suffer rupture due to the approach of the fibroblasts to the wound, without causing pain when eliminating the eschar and necrotic tissues caused by the burn (Molan, 2011). ...
... For its production, worker bee's foragers collect it in its third pair of hind legs from the stamens of the flowers and later deposit it in the cells of the hive's breeding chamber, then the nurse bees compact it to prepare a slurry with honey and saliva known as bee bread that constitutes the food of the larvae for their growth in the hive (Bucaccio, 1996). It is an energizer used as a supplement in sports (Burlando & Cornara, 2013). Pollen proteins used in the manufacture of honey-based cosmetic products can cause sensitivity to allergic people (Dussart, 2007). ...
The study aimed to characterize the therapeutic benefits of honey and other beehive products to determine the feasibility of rural beekeeping production; The research was carried out in 30 apiaries of peasant communities in 7 cantons of the province of Manabí, namely: Portoviejo, Rocafuerte, Bolívar, Santa Ana, Montecristi, Chone and Pichincha; an intentional sampling was applied, the qualitative-quantitative approach, a non-experimental descriptive design; For data collection, the survey technique was applied to beekeepers, the analytical method to perform the analysis of the results of the applied survey. As a result of the bibliographic review, multiple therapeutic benefits of honey, pollen, propolis, apitoxin, royal jelly were obtained, among which their immunomodulatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, healing properties, among others specific to each product, stand out. The feasibility of the rural beekeeping activity was determined through the cost-benefit analysis whose indicator of 1.95 showed that it is profitable. It was concluded that honey and other products from the hive contribute to preventing, strengthening, and improving the ability to respond to various diseases that afflict human beings, and as a productive activity, it is feasible to implement it to generate income for families.
... In various research works, honey may be considered a protector or may relieve skin due to its composition. For the nourishment of the skin, a moisturiser is formulated (Burlando and Cornara, 2013). It is used to increase skin functioning by treating skin dryness (Eady et al., 2013). ...
... They create H+ bridges with H 2 O, which keeps humidity in aroused skin covering and allocates moisturising to the skin. This effect does not come from fructose and glucose levels, also obtained from many other constituents such as amino acid C 5 H 9 NO 2 , in addition to it, 'arginine, alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, lysine, glycine and leucine (amino acid) or largely gluconic acid and, to a certain extent, lactic, citric, succinic, formic, malic, acetic, malic and oxalic acids' (organic acid) which increase the effect of 'glucose' or 'fructose' to keep the skin hydrated (Burlando and Cornara, 2013). ...
... It is hence proved that 'shampoo' and 'conditioners' having hone has useful results to maintain hairs (Paus and Cotsarelis, 1999). The major usefulness of honey is sticking into hair completely, which makes hair shiny and soft (Burlando and Cornara, 2013). There are various useful properties of honey having medicinal use also because of its 'antimicrobial effect'. ...
... The Ebers' papyrus of 1550 BC enlists 147 honey-containing prescriptions for use in baldness, abscesses, as a dressing material after surgery, for resolving inflammation, and also to mobilize frozen joints (Kuropatnicki et al., 2018). The Roman poet Ovid (43 BC-18 AD) mentioned face packs containing honey in his work Medicamina faciei feminae (Burlando and Cornara, 2013). Egyptians also used honey as an embalming fluid. ...
... Egyptians also used honey as an embalming fluid. Famously, King Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) was placed in a coffin filled with honey before being transported to his homeland (Burlando and Cornara, 2013). ...
... 14 th -17 th century), and Victorian-era (approximately 1837-1901), honey was popular as a hair dye, moisturizer, and face mask. Particularly, the noblewomen in the Victorian era were prohibited from using most cosmetics, however, honey was partly permissible (Burlando and Cornara, 2013). As a sweetener, honey remained widely-used upto 1800 AD, when its popularity started declining consequent to the industrial production of sugar (Bogdanov et al., 2008). ...
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Honey is one of the most popular functional foods, speculated to be in use since the advent of human civilization. Its health-protective activity is endorsed by many religions and traditional medicines. In Unani medicine, honey is prescribed for many health conditions as wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, etc. In the present era, honey is gaining popularity over sugar for its myriad health benefits and low glycemic index. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive account of the biological activities and potential therapeutic uses of honey, with scientific evidence.
Methodology
In this paper, we have provided a comprehensive overview of historical uses, types, physical characteristics, bioactive constituents and pharmacological activities of honey. The information was gathered from Classical Unani textbooks and leading scientific databases. There is a plethora of information regarding various therapeutic activities of honey, and it is daunting to draw practical conclusions. Hence, in this paper, we have tried to summarize those aspects which are most relevant to clinical application.
Observations and conclusions
Many important bioactive constituents are identified in different honey types, e.g. phenolics, proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, organic acids, etc., which exert important biological activities like anti-microbial, wound healing, immunomodulatory, anti-toxin, antioxidant, and many others. Honey has the potential to alleviate many lifestyle disorders, mitigate the adverse effects of drugs and toxins, and also provide healthy nutrition. Although conclusive clinical evidence is not available, yet honey may potentially be a safer alternative to sucrose for diabetic patients.
... The use of hydrogels based on natural saccharides and disaccharides, such as honey and sucrose can increase mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and water uptake of the wound dressing [11,12]. Honey as natural substances has been traditionally used to stimulate wound regeneration and has pharmacological characteristics, including antioxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory effects [13][14][15][16]. The combination of PVA and honey (H/PVA) interestingly has been used in the wound; however, development of a wound dressing of H/PVA hybrid hydrogel is difficult, due to structural instability and low mechanical strength of hydrogel. ...
... Hydrogen peroxide with its insulin-like properties in honey is released slowly into the wound bed and induced cell proliferation, leading to angiogenesis in the wound bed [24]. On the other hand, honey with antioxidant activity prevents the generation of free radicals, and accelerate the inflammation phase [13,15]. Our result indicated that H/PVA when combined with erythromycin, not only promotes antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity in wound dressings but also demonstrates the high levels of vascularization and promotes fibroblast proliferation. ...
Background:
Skin wounds are a significant public health risk, and treatment of wound remains a challenging clinical problem for medical teams and researchers.
Materials and methods:
In the present study, we aimed to investigate the healing effects of honey/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel loaded with erythromycin as wound dressing on skin wounds in rats, based on histological studies. In this study, 60 male Wistar rats, with a 1.5 ×1.5 cm2 diameter full-thickness wounds on the backs were divided into four groups: honey/PVA with the erythromycin hydrogel group, honey group, PVA group, and the control group, with no treatment. Skin biopsies were prepared at days 4, 7, and 14 for microscopic analyses. The stereological analysis, including the mean area of the wound, length of vessels, numerical density of fibroblast, macrophage, basal cell and volume of the epidermis, dermis, and fibrous tissue were performed.
Results:
Wounds area in the honey/PVA hydrogel with the erythromycin group were significantly (P<0.05) smaller than in the other group. The numerical density of fibroblast, macrophage, basal cell and volume of the epidermis in the honey/PVA hydrogel with the erythromycin group were significantly higher than other groups.
Conclusion:
According to our results, honey/PVA hydrogel with erythromycin may promote early wound healing and has a positive influence on fibroblast proliferation and re-epithelialization, and its administration is recommended after further validation of clinical data.
... Honey Extract Propolis Extract antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effect, antioxidant capacity, wound healing (stimulates angiogenesis, granulation, epithelialization, TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) production, increasing collagen and fibroblasts synthesis), emollient, humectant, moisturizing, nourishing and protective effects against photo-ageing, restoration capacity of skin barrier function [390][391][392][393][394][395][396][397] contact dermatitis, acute sensitization [391,396,397] Other Chemical Compounds Allantoin (5-ureidohydantoin) anti-inflammatory effect and anti-irritation, wound healing and keratolytic properties, hydration effect, tissue regeneration and cell proliferation capacity [398,399] no adverse effects [399] Ceramide 3 increases SC hydration, enhances the barrier function and reduces inflammation [400,401] safe for use in cosmetic products [402] Gold anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect, tissue regeneration capacity, restores skin elasticity, reduces signs of stress and ageing [403][404][405] particles larger than 30 nm can be considered as safe but there is a need to comprehensively study the effects of gold nanoparticles on the basis of their size distribution for their safe application in cosmetics [404] Lactic acid primarily used as moisturizer and pH regulator in cosmetics, antimicrobial activity, skin lightening effect, keratolytic properties, possesses high water-binding capacity, antibacterial effect [406,407] peeling agent used in the amelioration of acne vulgaris and in the treatment of melasma [408] good skin compatibility, showing only minor reactions [407] ...
... Honey Extract Propolis Extract antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effect, antioxidant capacity, wound healing (stimulates angiogenesis, granulation, epithelialization, TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) production, increasing collagen and fibroblasts synthesis), emollient, humectant, moisturizing, nourishing and protective effects against photo-ageing, restoration capacity of skin barrier function [390][391][392][393][394][395][396][397] contact dermatitis, acute sensitization [391,396,397] Other Chemical Compounds Allantoin (5-ureidohydantoin) anti-inflammatory effect and anti-irritation, wound healing and keratolytic properties, hydration effect, tissue regeneration and cell proliferation capacity [398,399] no adverse effects [399] Ceramide 3 increases SC hydration, enhances the barrier function and reduces inflammation [400,401] safe for use in cosmetic products [402] Gold anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect, tissue regeneration capacity, restores skin elasticity, reduces signs of stress and ageing [403][404][405] particles larger than 30 nm can be considered as safe but there is a need to comprehensively study the effects of gold nanoparticles on the basis of their size distribution for their safe application in cosmetics [404] Lactic acid primarily used as moisturizer and pH regulator in cosmetics, antimicrobial activity, skin lightening effect, keratolytic properties, possesses high water-binding capacity, antibacterial effect [406,407] peeling agent used in the amelioration of acne vulgaris and in the treatment of melasma [408] good skin compatibility, showing only minor reactions [407] ...
This study proposes a review on hyaluronic acid (HA) known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate and its derivates and their application in cosmetic formulations. HA is a glycosaminoglycan constituted from two disaccharides (N-acetylglucosamine and D-glucuronic acid), isolated initially from the vitreous humour of the eye, and subsequently discovered in different tissues or fluids (especially in the articular cartilage and the synovial fluid). It is ubiquitous in vertebrates, including humans, and it is involved in diverse biological processes, such as cell differentiation, embryological development, inflammation, wound healing, etc. HA has many qualities that recommend it over other substances used in skin regeneration, with moisturizing and anti-ageing effects. HA molecular weight influences its penetration into the skin and its biological activity. Considering that, nowadays, hyaluronic acid has a wide use and a multitude of applications (in ophthalmology, arthrology, pneumology, rhinology, aesthetic medicine, oncology, nutrition, and cosmetics), the present study describes the main aspects related to its use in cosmetology. The biological effect of HA on the skin level and its potential adverse effects are discussed. Some available cosmetic products containing HA have been identified from the brand portfolio of most known manufacturers and their composition was evaluated. Further, additional biological effects due to the other active ingredients (plant extracts, vitamins, amino acids, peptides, proteins, saccharides, probiotics, etc.) are presented, as well as a description of their possible toxic effects.
... According to Pliny the Elder and Cornelius Celsus, honey was used in ancient Rome for its emollient properties and to treat pimples, freckles, and moles. In recent decades, there has been a significant amount of interest in the therapeutic properties of honey for treatment of the skin [64,65]. In addition to simple carbohydrates (fructose and glucose), honey contains enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and other molecules with bioactivity. ...
There has been interest in the history of cosmetics for the last several decades. In part, this renewed curiosity is probably due to the revolutionizing natural movement in the cosmetic industry. In this article, we provide an overview of the historical aspects of the use of natural ingredients in cosmetics, which mostly come from botanical and mineral sources. We begin with an introduction to the art and science of cosmetics in the ancient world, which includes accounts of Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Greek, and Roman cosmetics as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine. These dermatological and cosmetic practices, which were advanced for the time, paved the way for the current revolution of natural ingredients in cosmetic products. Without providing a comprehensive historical account, we surveyed selected cultures during different periods of time to provide some perspective of our current understanding of natural ingredients in cosmetics. Attention is also given to the rich contributions of body art by tribal societies to our knowledge base, especially in the areas of dyes and pigments. Finally, we offer some perspective of natural ingredient cosmetics in the Information Age.
... Honey is a natural sweet substance produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from plants' nectar or secretions of their living parts. This animal product is used in various applications, such as in natura; in sweeteners, phytotherapeutics [1], medicines [2], and cosmetics (for improving moisture, cleansing, miscibility, and spreadability) [3]; and as a food industry additive (antioxidant, enzymatic inhibitor, clarifying, and anti-browning agent) [4,5], among others [6]. In general, honey's composition and physicochemical and organoleptic properties vary according to its botanical origin (the types of flowers used by the bees), geography and climate, processing, and storage [7]. ...
This work demonstrates the application of an electronic nose (e-nose) for discrimination between authentic and adulterated honey. The developed e-nose is based on electrodes covered with ionogel (ionic liquid + gelatin + Fe3O4 nanoparticle) films. Authentic and adulterated honey samples were submitted to e-nose analysis, and the capacity of the sensors for discrimination between authentic and adulterated honey was evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA) based on average relative response data. From the PCA biplot, it was possible to note two well-defined clusters and no intersection was observed. To evaluate the relative response data as input for autonomous classification, different machine learning algorithms were evaluated, namely instance based (IBK), Kstar, Trees-J48 (J48), random forest (RF), multilayer perceptron (MLP), naive Bayes (NB), and sequential minimal optimization (SMO). Considering the average data, the highest accuracy was obtained for Kstar: 100% (k-fold = 3). Additionally, this algorithm was also compared regarding its sensitivity and specificity, both being 100% for both features. Thus, due to the rapidity, simplicity, and accuracy of the developed methodology, the technology based on e-noses has the potential to be applied to honey quality control.
... Los datos obtenidos del proceso de cicatrización d, crecimiento bacteriano, y costos del tratamiento fueron archivados para luego ser analizados por el programa SPSS, acorde a lo descrito por Samperio y col. [6]. ...
... When using honey for cosmetic purposes, respondents apply it most often to moisturise, soothe irritation, and cleanse the skin, as well as to improve its elasticity and slow down the ageing process. The validity of this use of honey is confirmed by the results of the studies [19,20]. In the medical context, respondents' main reasons for using honey were to strengthen the body and treat upper respiratory conditions and lower body temperature. ...
Bee products have been used for centuries for culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic purposes, and their properties are still a subject of research, which provide new arguments in favour of their use. The research aimed to determine the current state of use of bee products by Polish consumers and determine the ways and conditions of their use, with particular reference to the level of nutritional knowledge and health status. The survey was conducted using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) method on 487 respondents. It was found that honey is used mainly for culinary purposes and, to a lesser extent, for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Other bee products are much less commonly used than honey—mainly beeswax and royal jelly for cosmetic purposes and propolis and bee pollen for medicinal purposes. Segments distinguished by the frequency of use of honey for particular purposes were differentiated by gender, age, income level, use of other bee products, and motivation to use them. Their differences were also found in terms of the level of nutritional knowledge and self-assessed health status—the highest ratings in both categories were indicated by representatives of the Honey users’ segment, which consisted of people who use honey most frequently for cooking, cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Regression analysis additionally showed that higher levels of nutritional knowledge and better health status were associated with the use of honey to treat gastrointestinal ailments and with the use of propolis for medicinal purposes.
... Honey also contains proteins (mainly enzymes), volatile organic compounds, organic acids and numerous vitamins and microelements [1,2]. Due to its health-promoting properties, honey has been used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and natural medicine products [3][4][5]. It is often seen as a natural panacea and readily consumed by children, the elderly and pregnant women. ...
Honey is considered to be a health-promoting food product. Therefore, it is assumed that it should be free of contaminants. Although the use of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was banned a few decades ago in developed countries, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are still detected in various environmental and biological matrices, including food. These contaminants exhibit toxic properties and bioaccumulate in some food chains. The validation of a modified QuEChERS extraction method was successfully performed for o,p’-DDT, o,p’-DDE, o,p’-DDD, p,p’-DDT, p,p’-DDE, p,p’-DDD, heptachlor and dieldrin. 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153) was used as an internal standard. The modification involved changing the solvent from acetonitrile to n-hexane after extraction. Quantitation was carried out using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (µECD). The mean recovery values for o,p’-DDT, o,p’-DDE, o,p’-DDD, p,p’-DDT, p,p’-DDE, p,p’-DDD and dieldrin, spiked at 2.9 ng/g and 20 ng/g, ranged from 64.7% to 129.3%, and, for heptachlor spiked at 5.6 ng/g and 20 ng/g, ranged from 68.0% to 88.3%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for these concentrations did not exceed 20%, and the within-laboratory reproducibility was below 20%, except o,p’-DDE and p,p’-DDT, which were 25.2% and 20.7%, respectively. This modified QuEChERS extraction method for selected organochlorine compounds was demonstrated as effective for routine testing in honey.
... Antibacterial function of the soap can be enhanced by incorporation of additives [5,6]. Natural ingredients, especially plant-derived products such as aloe vera, zobo (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and honey have long been used in traditional medicine and are a cheap source of bioactive compounds that control antibiotic resistance [7][8][9][10][11][12]. Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) is topically being used by many people to ease aching muscles, treat skin conditions and relieve tension. ...
Purpose:
This study investigated physicochemical properties and antimicrobial performance of soaps formulated from natural ingredients with the intention to apply them as alternative deodorizing soaps in personal care products.
Methods:
Soaps were formulated with natural ingredients including lemon, aloe vera and honey. Foam stability and capac-ity tests as well as pH were determined for the soaps. Deodorizing effectiveness of the soaps was tested theoretically using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test by screening them against pathogenic organisms causing body odour: bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albican, Staphylococcus hominis, Strephotococcus mutant, Staphylococcus epidemidis) and fungi (Tinnea annum, Tinneapedis and Trycrophyton rubrum) using agar well diffusion method and poisoned food technique respectively while having Dettol soap and ketoconazole as controls.
Results:
The soaps had a maximum foam capacity of 150% and foam stability of 100% with pH values in the range of 9.3–9.8 and inhibited the growth of the tested organisms for up to 6days at 0.1g/ml concentration.
Conclusion:
The soaps are mildly alkaline, possess good foaming capacity and stability and have considerably significant antimicrobial properties that can impede the growth of the organisms.
... It has emollient, humectant, soothing, and hair-conditioning properties in cosmetic formulations, keeps the skin youthful and retards wrinkle formation, regulates pH, and prevents pathogen infections. Lip ointments, cleansing milk, hydrating creams, after sun, tonic lotions, shampoos, and conditioners are all examples of honey-based cosmetic products [22]. Green tea:Green tea is a "non-matured" tea with additional catechins than dark or oolong tea. ...
Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and homeopathy are natural herb-based health sciences that are being developed with a focus on India (AYUSH). In the Ayush Pharmaceutical industry, the saundarya prasad category of herbal cosmetics has a lot of space to expand. Cosmetics help to highlight and improve a person's psychological and aesthetic characteristics. The Saundarya Prasadak formulation is a cosmetic base that corresponds to known active components in Ayurvedic, Siddhanic, and Unani (ASU) medicine (references to which are easily accessible in Schedule 1st Book of the Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1940 and Rule 1945). For saundrya prasadan karma, people in the past used a variety of lepas, including Alepas, Pralepas, Udavartans, and Prakshalans, among others.One such tactic is the use of herbs. A plant or a plant extract that contains plant elements such as leaves, bark, berries, roots, gums, seeds, stems, and flowers and has a significant amount of therapeutic and dietary benefits is called a herb. It is necessary to incorporate active ingredients into cosmetics to stop skin aging and damage. Cosmetics by themselves are unable to care for the skin or other biological parts. Due to their broad usage in daily life and the lack of the usual side effects linked to synthetic goods, herbal cosmetics have become much more popular with the general public.
... It has emollient, humectant, soothing, and hair-conditioning properties in cosmetic formulations, keeps the skin youthful and retards wrinkle formation, regulates pH, and prevents pathogen infections. Lip ointments, cleansing milk, hydrating creams, after sun, tonic lotions, shampoos, and conditioners are all examples of honey-based cosmetic products [22]. Green tea:Green tea is a "non-matured" tea with additional catechins than dark or oolong tea. ...
Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and homeopathy are natural herb-based health sciences that are being developed with a focus on India (AYUSH). In the Ayush Pharmaceutical industry, the saundarya prasad category of herbal cosmetics has a lot of space to expand. Cosmetics help to highlight and improve a person's psychological and aesthetic characteristics. The Saundarya Prasadak formulation is a cosmetic base that corresponds to known active components in Ayurvedic, Siddhanic, and Unani (ASU) medicine (references to which are easily accessible in Schedule 1st Book of the Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1940 and Rule 1945). For saundrya prasadan karma, people in the past used a variety of lepas, including Alepas, Pralepas, Udavartans, and Prakshalans, among others.One such tactic is the use of herbs. A plant or a plant extract that contains plant elements such as leaves, bark, berries, roots, gums, seeds, stems, and flowers and has a significant amount of therapeutic and dietary benefits is called a herb. It is necessary to incorporate active ingredients into cosmetics to stop skin aging and damage. Cosmetics by themselves are unable to care for the skin or other biological parts. Due to their broad usage in daily life and the lack of the usual side effects linked to synthetic goods, herbal cosmetics have become much more popular with the general public.
... Honey has a long history as a therapeutic agent and recent studies have demonstrated benefits associated with its use. Clinical trials have already indicated that honey is a useful therapy for some cutaneous bacterial infections, and has a low irritant or allergic potential [2,12]. It is likely less toxic than antiseptics such as benzalkonium chloride (BAC), chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and silver nitrate (AgNO 3 ) [13]. ...
Background
Honey has broad spectrum antibacterial activity against clinically important organisms and may be suitable for treating superficial bacterial infections. However, very little data are available describing potential interactions between honey and other topically applied agents such as antiseptics or essential oils.
Methods
Interactions between pairs of antibacterial agents were investigated by performing checkerboard assays and determining the fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICIs). Interactions between the two monofloral honeys marri (from Corymbia calophylla) and manuka, and the antiseptic agents benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine digluconate, silver (I) nitrate, tea tree oil, and Eucalyptus polybractea oil were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 43300 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC® 27853.
Results
Additive or indifferent interactions (FICI 0.5—2) were observed for all combinations against both organisms tested, with the exception of chlorhexidine and honey. Chlorhexidine and marri honey showed an antagonistic relationship against S. aureus (median FICI 2.00, range 1.25—4.83). Similarly, chlorhexidine and manuka honey showed antagonism against S. aureus (median FICI 2.33, range 2.00—2.67).
Conclusions
With the exception of chlorhexidine, these data indicate that honey does not interfere with the antimicrobial activity of the tested agents, and that honey may be suitable for combination therapy with other topically applied antibacterial agents for treating superficial bacterial infections.
... La cera de abejas obtenida de A. mellifera se utiliza como base de ungüento y agente endurecedor. Es un componente de cremas frías, desodorantes, depilatorios, cremas para el cabello, acondicionadores para el cabello y cosméticos para los ojos(Bogdanov, 2016;Burlando y Cornara, 2013).InvestIgAcIón en cosmétIcos nAtuRAles ensAyos In VItroEl objetivo principal de los ensayos in vitro que se expondrán en este caso, son de suma importancia para evaluar la seguridad de los productos que se estarán utilizando en la cosmetología y para el propio cuidado personal. Así mismo, estos ensayos son de los recursos más utilizados en este campo ya que, se desarrollan fuera de un organismo vivo, ya sea mediante la implementación y uso de tubos de ensayos, medios de cultivos en ambientes artificiales entre otros (Real Academia Nacional de Medicina de España, 2021).En este caso, los productos naturales están siendo una revolución en la cosmética, se puede apreciar al observar en las preferencias de las personas. ...
Los productos naturales juegan un papel relevante como fuente de ingredientes biológicamente activos con importancia cosmética y dermatológica. En los últimos años, los cosméticos basados en productos naturales han ganado una gran cantidad de atención no solo por parte de los investigadores sino también del público debido a la creencia general de que son mejores a los sintéticos, además de ser inofensivos, lo cual no necesariamente podría ser cierto, por lo que en este artículo se aborda la ciencia detrás de la formulación en los denominados cosméticos naturales, así como una descripción general de los ingredientes activos naturales que se pueden encontrar en ellos. Profundizamos en algunas pruebas: in vitro, in silico y ex vivo, utilizadas para analizar su efectividad como fotoprotectores solares, antienvejecimiento, anti-hiperpigmentación y toxicidad, así mismo se aborda la controversia que genera el uso de pruebas in vivo.
... Los datos obtenidos del proceso de cicatrización d, crecimiento bacteriano, y costos del tratamiento fueron archivados para luego ser analizados por el programa SPSS, acorde a lo descrito por Samperio y col. [6]. ...
La miel ha sido conocida por sus propiedades antiinflamatorias y antibacterianas desde la antigüedad. Debido a la elevada tasa de aparición de bacterias resistentes a los antibióticos se da el uso de terapias alternativas, como la miel, para tratar úlceras, quemaduras y heridas. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la eficacia de miel natural versus miel de grado médico llamada Manuka, en el tratamiento de heridas. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, observacional y comparativo sobre los efectos cicatrizantes de la miel, con un universo de 24 conejos en la clínica veterinaria “San Fernandos” de la ciudad de Loja en Ecuador; bajo efectos anestésicos se provocó una herida con una guía de 3 x 3 centímetros en la región dorsal de la espalda, en el tercio anterior del cuerpo del conejo, que fue tratada con curaciones con miel natural y miel de grado médico Manuka. De ambos tratamientos se obtuvieron muestras de piel a los 5; 10 y 15 días post incisión Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la formación de tejido granular y la cicatrización es más rápida en el grupo B, ya que se utilizó la miel de grado médico Manuka, la cual contribuyó a la regeneración de heridas, logrando una cicatrización efectiva, rápida y de buena calidad, seguido del grupo A al que se le aplicó la miel natural.
... So far, it has been discovered that bee products have varied biological, therapeutic, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties [8,9]. ...
The new type of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), caused by coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to a world pandemic due to severe acute respiratory syndrome. In addition to drug and vaccine studies for COVID-19, studies on various foods maintain to increase immunity and alternative treatment, and in this context, bee products are also being researched. Although many studies are showing that bee products have antimicrobial properties and immune-enhancing effects, there are limited studies on the effectiveness of these products against coronavirus. Some peptides in royal jelly are reported to be potent antibacterial and antifungal agents that may be beneficial for avoiding co-infections in COVID-19 patients. Positive results have been found Pollen, a fine and powder-like substance produced by flowering plants and collected by bees, in many studies investigating the effects of pollen on health such as antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory. Bee venom; It is a yellowish-colored, bitter-sweet, pungent-smelling substance that is produced in the venom sac of bees, normally in liquid form, but dries up and crystallizes after contact with air. Melittin, the primary component of bee venom having more than 40 biologically and pharmacologically active compounds including phospholipase A2, histamine, epinephrine, free amino acids, peptide and apamin, has been stated to have antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) secreted from bee and snake venom is known to have strong anti-HIV activities. Melittin, phosphorylase A2 and hyaluronidan, which are the most significant components of bee venom, constitute 50% of bee venom. Moreover, researches on the relationship between bee venom and COVID-19 are limited. The target of this review is to bring together the studies on the health effects of royal jelly, bee pollen and bee venom, and to contribute to the existing studies.
... MGH-based dressings are appropriate for the dressing of wounds and burns and have also been included in treatment therapy against diseases such as diaper dermatitis, dandruff, pityriasis, and psoriasis. It also exerts emollient, humectant, soothing, and hair conditioning effects, keeps the skin juvenile and retards wrinkle formation, regulates pH, and prevents pathogen infections [21]. Studies have also shown that Communityassociated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) which is now described worldwide, as a clinically significant pathogen, predominantly linked to skin and soft tissue infections succumbs to the effects of honey [22]. ...
The use of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections have largely been successful. However, the misuse and overuse of these precious drugs have led to the development of bacterial resistance and this seems to have jeopardized their effectiveness. Many antibiotics that hitherto were seen as “miraculous drugs”, have witnessed a low efficacy and this has threatened the life of humanity as never before. The rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is the major cause of this sad development. One such superbug is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a general problem in most healthcare centers with a reported astronomical incidence of invasive MRSA infections causing death. Honey, a natural product, popular for its antibacterial activity is increasingly being used owing to its reported antibiotic potential against ‘stubborn’ bacteria. This review discusses the fact that though honey is an ancient remedy, it is still relevant and its application in modern medicine for the treatment of chronically infected wounds caused by MRSA should be re-visited. Furthermore, the in vitro antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of medical-grade honey on S. aureus infections and challenges encountered by Researchers in developing honey, into an acceptable medical, therapeutic antibacterial agent for wound care have also been highlighted.
... Honey keeps the skin young, delays wrinkle formation, regulates pH, and is also used for the prevention of pathogen infections. [31][32][33] In particular, it can also be used to complement dry skin treatment. 33 Moisturizers are a major component of basic daily skin care, especially when the epidermal barrier has been altered and the epidermal moisture content has decreased. ...
Background:
According to recent experience, people are willing to wear masks to protect themselves from environmental issues such as infections, allergies, and fine dust such as SARS in 2003, swine flu A (H1N1) in 2009, and COVID-19 in 2019.
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to investigate the changing conditions of cosmetics use worldwide due to the increase in mask usage.
Methods:
This review paper is a literature review, and a narrative review approach has been used for this study. A total of 300-400 references were selected using representative journal search websites such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and RISS, of which a total of 39 papers were selected in the final stage based on 2006-2021.
Results:
Masks must be worn due to environmental issues and/or infectious diseases, for example, COVID-19. Skin troubles were dramatically increased by the increased use of masks. Additionally, research-related natural products for skin soothing ingredients and makeup products were suggested.
Conclusion:
This review is expected to be used as an important marketing material for new changes in the cosmetics market by clearly grasping the needs of consumers in the beauty and cosmetics industry from the viewpoint of using masks after COVID-19.
... 15,16 Like those bee products, honey also exhibits many beneficial effects on the skin, such as effects of softening, moisturizing, and soothing,keeping the skin young and delaying the formation of wrinkles; regulating the skin pH; and preventing pathogen infections. 17 This study aimed to develop a prototype skincare formulation based on bee venom, propolis, honey, and royal jelly to effectively protect skin aging by analyzing various quality, stability, and safety parameters. ...
This study aimed to develop a prototype skincare product with bee venom, propolis, honey, beeswax, and royal jelly. The prototype formulation contained 0.1 % bee venom, 0.3 % propolis extract, 0.45 % honey, and 1.0 % royal jelly. The prototype body cream was analyzed for stability, antioxidant activity, dermatological response, and cytotoxicity. In addition, a panel test evaluated the prototype for the claims such as skin smoothness, feelings of nourishment, moisturizing, skin tone, brightness, and visibility of wrinkles. According to the stability test, the prototype was stable for up to 90 days at room temperature and +40 °C. The formulation was found to have a high antioxidant capacity at 85.45%. Cell viability detected over 70% indicated that the prototype body cream was not cytotoxic. The dermatological analysis revealed no irritation or allergic reaction in non‐allergic individuals. Panel test showed that the prototype makes skin silky smooth, contributes to hydration, brightens and nourishes the skin, evens the skin tone, reduces the visibility of wrinkles, improves skin elasticity, and smoothes wrinkles. This prototype formulation requires further research to evaluate its effectiveness against skin aging on different skin types. Nevertheless, the side effects of such products need particular attention in developing a commercial product containing bee venom in susceptible individuals.
... Due to their physical features (sticky propolis) and chemical composition (primarily polyphenols, amino acids, and terpenes), propolis and pollen can absorb metals (Finger et al. 2014;Matin et al. 2016), and they can be employed as indicators of environmental pollution (Conti and Botrè 2001;Finger et al. 2014). Eventually, assessing element concentrations in bees and beehive products is essential not only for their use as possible biomonitors/ indicators for environmental contamination purposes but also for detecting potential human exposure due to their dietary, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic uses (Astolfi et al. 2021;Burlando and Cornara 2013;Kalogeropoulos et al. 2009;Melliou and Chinou 2011;Tsiapara et al. 2009). Humans can be exposed to elements through the food chain (Zand et al. 2015;Conti et al. 2020a). ...
In this study, we determined the levels of elements (i.e. As, Be, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, U, and Zn) in bees and edible beehive products (honey, wax, pollen, and propolis) sampled from five selected sites in the Rome province (Italy).
Rationale:
to increase the information variety endowment, the monitoring breakdown structure (MBS) conceptual model was used (nine elements, 429 samples, and approximately thirteen thousand determinations over a 1-year survey). Thus, we employed Johnson's probabilistic method to build the control charts. Then, we measured the element concentration overlap ranges and the overlap bioaccumulation index (OBI). Subsequently, we evaluated the estimated daily intake (EDI) of the analysed elements and matched them with acceptable reference doses. The human health risk caused by the intake of individual elements found in edible beehive products and their risk summation were evaluated through the target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) methods.
Findings:
excluding honey, this study confirms the capacity of wax, pollen, propolis, and bees to accumulate high levels of toxic and potentially toxic elements from the surrounding environment (with high OBI-U, i.e. OBI-Upper values, i.e. the common upper concentration limit of the overlap concentration range). Bees and pollen showed a high bioaccumulation Cd surplus (OBI-U = 44.0 and 22.3, respectively). On the contrary, honey had high OBI-L values (i.e. honey concentrates metals several times less than the common lower concentration limit of the overlap concentration range). This finding implies that honey is useless as an environmental indicator compared with the other biomonitor/indicators. The EDI values for the edible beehive products were lower than the health and safety reference doses for all the considered elements. Our data show that honey, wax, propolis, and pollen are safe for consumption by both adults and children (THQ < 1; HI < 1), even considering the sporadic possibility of consuming them simultaneously.
Originality:
This study has been conducted for the first time in the Rome province and demonstrates that edible indicators are safe for consumption for the considered elements in bees and edible beehive products. Depending on the ecosystem/pollutants studied, the OBI consents to make a correct choice for environmental biomonitoring studies and to focus the attention on the most sensitive biomonitors/indicators when required at the project level.
... It is added in the formulation of many cosmetic products, such as for dry and mature skin, and is widely used in night creams. It is also used in shampoos for light hair because it highlights the natural reflections and leaves the hair protected and bright [19]. Nothing prevents the use of common foods such as honey to prepare multipurpose masks. ...
Many substances derived from animals are used as ingredients in the cosmetic industry and constitute a particular type of product: zooceuticals. The main ingredients used can come from insects, such as snail slime; land animals, such as lanolin; and marine animals, such as marine collagen. Today, they are used less than in the past for hygienic–sanitary, ethical, and ecological reasons. Moreover, some can give rise to irritative or allergic dermatitis. However, they still represent a fraction of the common ingredients in certain types of cosmetic products today.
... Burlando and Cornara [13] opined that in cosmetics preparations, honey exerts emollient, humectant, soothing and hair conditioning effects, while keeping the skin juvenile, retarding wrinkle formation, regulating pH and preventing pathogenic infections. According to them, honey based cosmetics products include lip ointment, cleansing milks, hydrating creams, after sun, tonic lotions, shampoos and conditioners ranging from 1 to 10% honey inclusion, though some products can contain up to 70% honey when mixed with oils, gels and emulsifiers or polymer entrapments. ...
Apart from food, other important needs in the care of human bodies are cosmetics and drugs. For long the latter two are obtained from chemical formulations and phytochemicals (commonly used in Ethnomedicine), use of bioactive compounds from insects (i.e. “ento medicine” and “ento cosmetics”) is a recent development in research, even though the bioactive compounds were discovered long ago. This chapter is a review on a number of substances extracted from various insect species that are useful in cosmetics, pharmaceutical industries as well as those that form part of prescription for healing in orthodox and traditional medicine. The review is based on information from scientific reports, Google, e-library, textbooks. A number of substances were found to have been incorporated into cosmetic and pharmaceutical products and as part of prescriptions for healing in orthodox medicine, many others at elementary stages of investigation, purification and development. The findings showed that insects have a lot of bioactive substances that need to be harnessed for the good man.
... Honey is even proven for its anti-inflammatory activity promoting cell repair and healing 28 . Pinocembrin and lysozyme present in honey are proven to provide anti-fungal action on skin 29 . Importantly, studies have also shown that honey from a variety of sources can modulate immunological parameters related to the skin immune system. ...
Pityriasis capitis commonly known as Dandruff is a common skin disorder that mainly affects the scalp. It is one of the most common cosmetic problems. It is more likely a social stigma and affects the aesthetic value of a person. In Ayurveda, Acharya Sushruta mentions Darunaka (dandruff) under Kshudra kushta roga (minor skin ailment) and some other authors mention it as Shirah-Kapalagata roga (head and skull diseases). Symptoms of Darunaka are kandu (itching), Keshachyuti (hair fall), Twaksphutana (scaling) and rukshata (dryness). Darunaka can be closely co-related to Pityriasis capitis. Though not being a life-threatening disease, it is affecting almost half of the population from pre-pubertal age to old age of any gender with recurrence and frequent relapses. Ayurveda classics majorly emphasizes the bahya lepa upachaar (external paste application) as a line of treatment in Darunaka. Priyaladi lepa is one such formulation recommended in Sharangadhara Samhitha for Darunaka chikitsa, but not often applied in routine Ayurvedic practice. So, this study aims to appraise the pharmacological activity of the formulation Priyaladi lepa regarding its anti-dandruff efficacy. Rasapanchaka and Dosha karma (Ayurvedic Pharmacological attributes) of ingredients were compiled from Bhavaprakasha Nighantu and other Ayurvedic literature. Pharmacological actions were compiled from original research articles from Google Scholar, Research Gate and PubMed etc. research databases. A study on each ingredient of Priyaladi lepa collectively demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-pruritic, antioxidant and exfoliation effects. These pharmacological activities encourage further research and henceforth to utilize the same for the effective management of Darunaka (Dandruff).
... In particular, bees and their products such as honey, propolis, and pollen have been proposed as bioindicators of environmental Hg contamination [23][24][25]. The assessment of Hg levels in bee products is important not only for their use as possible bioindicators for environmental contamination purposes, but also for the potential human exposure due to their dietary, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic use [26][27][28][29][30]. ...
Bees and their products are useful bioindicators of anthropogenic activities and could overcome the deficiencies of air quality networks. Among the environmental contaminants, mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal that can accumulate in living organisms. The first aim of this study was to develop a simple analytical method to determine Hg in small mass samples of bees and beehive products by cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The proposed method was optimized for about 0.02 g bee, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly, 0.05 g beeswax and honey, or 0.1 g honeydew with 0.5 mL HCl, 0.2 mL HNO3, and 0.1 mL H2O2 in a water bath (95 °C, 30 min); samples were made up to a final volume of 5 mL deionized water. The method limits sample manipulation and the reagent mixture volume used. Detection limits were lower than 3 µg kg−1 for a sample mass of 0.02 g, and recoveries and precision were within 20% of the expected value and less than 10%, respectively, for many matrices. The second aim of the present study was to evaluate the proposed method’s performances on real samples collected in six areas of the Lazio region in Italy.
... It is a natural sweet food material made from nectar of flowers. Honey is composed mainly of glucose and fructose, and containing amino acids, proteins, enzymes, minerals, vitamins, and other minor compounds (Burlando and Cornara 2013). Its phenolic constituents specifically chrysin modulate the oxidative stress and inflammatory conditions. ...
Coronavirus disease 2019 is a worldwide pandemic resulting in a severe acute respiratory
syndrome. Remdesivir is the only FDA-approved drug for hospitalized patients older than
age 12. It shows the necessity of finding new therapeutic strategies. Functional foods (FFs) could have co-therapeutic and protective effects against COVID-19 infection. Traditional Persian medicine (TPM), one of the safest and most popular schools of medicine for hundreds of years, has recommended potential FF candidates to manage such a global pandemic. To reveal the potential of TPM in terms of antitussive FFs, traditional Persian pharmacopoeia “Qarabadin-e-Salehi” was searched using the keywords “Soaal” and “Sorfeh.” Also, a search of MEDLINE, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, and Science Direct was performed for the relevant literature published from the inception up to March 2021. A combination of search terms including “cough, antitussive, antioxidant, anti�inflammation, antiviral, COVID-19, mucoactive, mucolytic, expectorant, and
mucoregulatory” was also applied. The potential mechanism of action in SARS-CoV-2
infection was discussed. Twelve TPM FFs were found including Laooqs, Morabbas, a
Saviq, a soup, and a syrup. They are combinations of two to seven ingredients. Natural
compounds of mentioned formulations have the main pharmacological mechanisms
including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihistamine, bronchodilator,
immunomodulatory, and mucoactive effects as well as central or peripheral antitussive
activities. FFs are cost-effective, easily accessible, and safe options for both treatment and prevention of COVID-19. They might have positive psychological effects along with their pharmacological effects and nutritional virtues. They could also manage persistent
respiratory discomforts after recovery from COVID-19.
... Honey-based cosmetics include hydrating creams, tonic, lotions, cleaning milks, shampoos, conditioners and lip ointments. The used amounts usually range between 1% and 10% [23]. ...
Honey is a natural product which owes its health benefits to its numerous bioactive compounds. The composition of honey is highly diverse and depends on the type of honey and its origin. Antioxidant capacity arises mainly from the total content of polyphenols and their composition. The aim of this study was to perform a multidimensional comparative analysis of phenolic compounds of honeys of various origins. Honeydew, buckwheat, manuka, Malaysian and goldenrod honeys had the highest antioxidant capacity (above 400 mg Trolox equivalents kg−1). These honeys were also characterized by the highest total polyphenol content (about 2500 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) kg−1) and the highest total flavonoid content (1400–1800 mg catechin equivalents (CAE) kg−1). Other honeys had much lower antioxidant properties. A multidimensional analysis of the profiles of phenolic compounds showed that honeys constitute a non-homogeneous data set and manuka honey was in contrast to other samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) (based on 18 phenolic compounds) distinguished honeys into five groups. Manuka, Malaysian and honeydew honeys created their own separate groups and the location of other honeys was variable. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) analysis demonstrated that profiles of polyphenols in honeys were highly varied. Caffeic acid, datiscetin and rhamnetin were characteristic compounds for manuka honey. Quercetin, kaempferol and apigenin were present in all honeys except Malaysian honey. The antioxidant properties and the profiles of bioactive phenolic compounds of honeys were miscellaneous. The richest sources of polyphenols were local buckwheat and honeydew honeys, alongside exotic manuka and Malaysian honeys. These honeys could provide valuable ingredients to the human diet, helping to prevent diseases.
... Iako je udeo ovih supstanci u medu veoma mali (< 1 %), one su zasigurno odgovorne kako za senzorna tako i za specifična svojstva meda (miris, ukus I dr.) [6]. Neke od ovih supstanci u med dodaju pčele, neke vode poreklo od medonosne biljke, a neke nastaju u toku zrenja meda u saću [7]. ...
Conventional method of honey production is widely spread in the area of western Serbia. Despite the advantages of honey production in an organic manner, beekeepers are still hesitant to take this step, regardless of the difficulties with placement of such honey on the foreign market, so their products are mainly sold on the domestic market. Besides the undeniable nutritional value, honey produced in the conventional way with proper use of agro technical measures and implementation of the wide range of products in the treatment of bee diseases, in its composition very often contain residues of hazardous chemical compounds, pesticides, antibiotics. Research on four qualitative differences of the content of certain substances between the conventional and organic honey producers has been conducted in western Serbia. The research obtained five manufacturers, out of which two were engaged in organic manner of production, while the remaining three dealt with the conventional honey production. After examining the area and the apiaries in question, interviews with honeybee producers, the sampling of honey took place. Upon performed analysis, it was concluded that one conventionally produced sample of honey was not safe for human consumption, due to presence of pesticides.
... Honey has been used in cosmetics and medicines as an antimicrobial, emollient, and humectant since ancient times, and is still used extensively in a variety of modern cosmetics, with some recent licensing of sterilized honey for clinical use [7]. The antimicrobial effects of honey have been reported for a wide range of fungi [8] and bacteria [9][10][11]. ...
Superficial dermatophyte infections, commonly known as tineas, are the most prevalent fungal ailment and are increasing in incidence, leading to an interest in alternative treatments. Many floral honeys possess antimicrobial activity due to high sugar, low pH, and the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from the activity of the bee-derived enzyme glucose oxidase. Australian jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) honey produces particularly high levels of H2O2 and has been found to be potently antifungal. This study characterized the activity of jarrah honey on fungal dermatophyte species. Jarrah honey inhibited dermatophytes with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 1.5–3.5% (w/v), which increased to ≥ 25% (w/v) when catalase was added. Microscopic analysis found jarrah honey inhibited the germination of Trichophyton rubrum conidia and scanning electron microscopy of mature T. rubrum hyphae after honey treatment revealed bulging and collapsed regions. When treated hyphae were stained using REDOX fluorophores these did not detect any internal oxidative stress, suggesting jarrah honey acts largely on the hyphal surface. Although H2O2 appears critical for the antifungal activity of jarrah honey and its action on fungal cells, these effects persisted when H2O2 was eliminated and could not be replicated using synthetic honey spiked with H2O2, indicating jarrah honey contains agents that augment antifungal activity.
... Honey, RJ, and propolis have multiple uses for skin care and remedies (Burlando and Cornara, 2013;Kurek-Gorecka et al., 2020). Traditional uses of honey in commercial and homemade cosmetics include for skin softening and for unesthetic conditions. ...
At the starting of recorded history are descriptions of the uses of bee products as nutraceuticals and as remedies for various maladies. Honey, beeswax, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom are the most commonly used products. These nutraceuticals are used to improve wellness, in skin care, mouth care, dental surgery, and in the management of wounds, burns, and skin conditions. Bee products have antimicrobial activity and are used in treating Helicobacter pylori, candidiasis, herpes infections, and fungal infections of the skin and genitalia. Bee products are being investigated in ophthalmology as replacements for the prophylactic use of antibiotics, treatment of keratoconjunctivitis, and their use in artificial tears. In reproduction, bee products are used as supplements to increase fertility. They are being investigated to replace antibiotics in semen extenders and for their use in vitrification of embryos. Bee products are being used as a treatment for premenstrual syndrome, mensural distress, reduction of birthing pain, and to reduce the genitourinary syndrome in postmenopausal women. Bee products are being used in the management of complications from antineoplastic treatments and as supplements to reduce fatigue in cancer patients. Bee venom is being investigated for its use in autoimmune diseases, especially osteoarthritis. Individuals can have allergic reactions to bee products. Profit margins on bee products, especially honeys, can be increased by adulterating them with various substances. Environmental contaminants can be present in bee products. Honey can contain phytotoxins. Phytotoxins in nectar are concentrated in the honey-making process. Nutraceuticals are being studied in bees to replace the use of antimicrobial prophylactics. Nutraceuticals and probiotics are being investigated and used to increase the health of bees.
... Recent studies have shown that, like other hive products, honey has various benefits for human health, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and bacteriostatic effects [4][5][6][7]. For these reasons, honeybee products are already widely used as ingredients in the field of cosmetics and nutraceuticals [3,8,9]. In the last few years, high consumer demand for natural healthy products has increased research interest in the antibacterial activity of honey for its possible clinical applications [6,[10][11][12][13]. ...
Methylglyoxal (MGO) is recognized as being the bioactive component responsible for the antibacterial activity of mānuka honey. MGO content was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV), in isocratic elution, to assess the occurrence of this compound in mono- and multi-floral honey samples representative of different botanical and geographic origins in Italy. Specifically, 110 honey samples from sweet cherry tree (Prunus avium L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), almond tree (Prunus amygdalus L.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), cornflower (Centaurea cyanus L.), thistle (Silybum marianum L.), acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), citrus, honeydew and multifloral honey were considered. The amount of MGO found in different types of honey was ranging from 0.4 to 24.1 mg/kg. This study provides, for the first time, data on MGO levels in Italian cherry and almond honey, which showed higher concentrations of MGO compared to honeys from other botanical species.
Dry facial skin can be caused by several factors including age, sun exposure, weather, genetics, skin structure, diet, environmental factors, and skin diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of using traditional Moringa leaf masks for dry facial skin care. This type of research is experimental research with quasi-experimental methods. The research sample consisted of 6 samples using the purposive sampling method. The type of data used is primary data. Data analysis used the normality test, homogeneity test, and hypothesis testing (ANOVA), followed by the Duncan test. Analysis of normality and homogeneity of the data is used to test prerequisite analysis before testing the hypothesis. The results showed that in the control group (X0) without the use of traditional moringa leaf masks, there was no change in the level of skin moisture and the level of smoothness of facial skin texture. In the experimental group X1 and X2 using a traditional leaf mask showed a significant change in the level of moisture and smoothness of facial skin texture. There are differences in the effect of treating dry faces on women aged 35-45 years using traditional masks from Moringa leaves in three different treatments for indicators of moisture and facial skin texture with a significance of 0.016 <0.050.
L’acné est l’affection dermatologique la plus commune touchant 80 % de la population âgée entre 11 et 30 ans. Les anti-acnéiques les plus efficaces
sont les rétinoïdes et le peroxyde de benzoyle. Cependant, l’un de leurs effets indésirables les plus remarqués est la xérodermie, appelée aussi
xérose ou sécheresse cutanée, qui peut affecter la qualité de vie du patient surtout quand elle se situe au niveau du visage.
L’objectif principal de cette étude est de recenser les remèdes naturels utilisés par les acnéiques en Algérie pour traiter la xérodermie et de justifier,
par une étude bibliographique, l’usage de ces remèdes.
Il s’agit principalement d’une étude descriptive transversale, la collecte des données est faite à travers un questionnaire en ligne. Les critères
d’inclusion sont : la résidence en Algérie, l’atteinte d’acné et le traitement par des anti-acnéiques. Les remèdes recensés ont fait l’objet d’une
recherche bibliographique.
L’échantillon est constitué de 185 personnes dont 35,1 % ont eu recours à l’utilisation d’un remède naturel. 31 remèdes ont été recensés, les plus
cités sont : l’huile d’olive, le gel d’Aloe vera et le miel .95,4 % ont considéré le remède naturel comme étant efficace dont 44,6 % ont remarqué
une amélioration juste après quelques jours d’utilisation.
Selon la bibliographie, l’huile d’olive a une composition similaire au sébum. Quant à l’aloe vera, il a été démontré que son extrait lyophilisé à
différentes concentrations a significativement amélioré l’hydratation cutanée par rapport au contrôle. D’autre part, le miel est inclus dans « the
International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients » (INCI) et il est classé comme un produit émollient, humectant et hydratant.
Cette étude nous a permis de recenser les remèdes naturels utilisés traditionnellement pour traiter la xérodermie, la bibliographie a pu confirmer
ces usages. Ceci pourrait donc constituer une base de données intéressante pour les laboratoires pour de nouvelles recherches et formulations.
Objective:
Sialadenitis and salivary gland disorders are complications of radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT) that affect the quality of life of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). The current study aimed to provide evidence on the protective effect of apitherapy on salivary gland function during RAIT in patients with DTC.
Methods:
In total, 120 patients with DTC who underwent total thyroidectomy were divided into the apitherapy group (group A, n = 60) and the control group (group B, n = 60). Group A received 2.5 g of acacia honey three times daily after each meal during admission for RAIT. Statistical analyses were performed using the Saxon test (which is used to evaluate saliva volume) and salivary gland scintigraphy (which is applied to assess maximum uptake ratio and washout ratio).
Results:
Compared with group B, group A presented with a more significantly positive change in the rate of amount of saliva before and after treatment (P < 0.01). Group B presented a significant decrease in the maximum uptake ratio of the bilateral parotid and submandibular glands on salivary gland scintigraphy (P < 0.05) and washout ratio of all salivary glands (P < 0.05). Group A did not present significant differences in the maximum uptake ratio and washout ratio.
Conclusions:
Apitherapy can have protective effects against salivary gland disorder associated with RAIT in patients with DTC.
Since ancestor times, honey has been used to promote human health due to its medicinal, and nutritious properties, mainly due to bioactive compounds present, such as phenolic compounds. The emergence of COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, led to the pursuit of solutions for the treatment of symptoms and/or disease. Honey has proven to be effective against viral infections, principally due to its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that attenuate oxidative damage induced by pathogens, and by improving the immune system. Therefore, the aim of this review is to overview the abilities of honey to attenuate different COVID-19 symptoms, highlighting the mechanisms associated with these actions and relating the with the different bioactive compounds present. A brief, detailed approach to SARS-CoV-2 mechanism of action is first overviewed to allow readers a deep understanding. Additionally, the compounds and beneficial properties of honey, and its previously application in other similar diseases, are detailed in depth. Despite the already reported efficacy of honey against different viruses and their complications, further studies are urgently needed to explain the molecular mechanisms of activity against COVID-19 and, most importantly, clinical trials enrolling COVID-19 patients.
Bee products such as honey, propolis, bee pollen, royal jelly, beeswax, and bee venom constitute important pharmaceutical and cosmetic components. Each bee product is characterized by the content of the active substance, which differentiates one bee product from another, and causes that each of them is worth using for a different skin problem. In addition, flavonoids and phenolic acids play a crucial role in influencing those products on the skin. For example, honey, propolis, and pollen are used to heal burn wounds.
Moreover, bee venom called apitoxin contains active peptides and amines used in the wound’s healing process. Therefore, findings connected with wound dressing containing honey, propolis, or bee venom can be applied during wound healing therapy. Furthermore, the advantages of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics based on bee products are high effectiveness with minimal side effects. Therefore, bee products may become a new strategy in skin therapy.
Clinicians have been searching for ways to obtain proper wound healing with an accessible cost. Honey is an ancient traditional remedy for the treatment of infected wounds. We evaluated burn wound healing and antibacterial properties of locally produced Thyme honey on different types of burns in young children (<2 Years Old).This experimental study was conducted over a period of 2 years, in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns at the Avicenna Military Hospital of Marrakech on young children. This series includes 20 hospitalized children with ages between 6 months and 2 years, suffering different burn types and areas. All the patients received topical thyme honey based protocol.The average length of hospitalization was 12 days with an average time for burn wound coverage of 2 weeks. All of our patients resulted a flat healing without hard bulges or disfiguring complications. We concluded that using of thyme honey dressings on burns wounds results a comparable healing time to modern dressings with proper healing and a cheaper cost.
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Echium vulgare L. and Echium plantagineum L. originated in the Mediterranean, and were later domesticated in Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania, where they were widely used to treat many diseases including cough, urinary tract infection, fever, inflammation and muscle strain.
Aim of the study
The purpose of this review is to provide scientific literature on the traditional uses, bioactive chemical components and pharmacological activities of two species of Echium, and to critically analyze the information provided, so as to understand the current work on these two species and explore the possible prospect of this plant in pharmaceutical research.
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to Prisma guidelines, and the related literatures searched on Google Academic, Science Direct, Baidu Scholars and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) up to June 2021 were reviewed. The key words used are: Echium, E.vulgare, E.plantagineum, plant components, chemical components, pharmacological activities, pharmaceutical products and applications. Thereafter all eligible studies are analyzed and summarized in this review. The selection of manuscripts is based on the following inclusion criteria: the article has years of research or publication, is published in English, Portuguese or Spanish and Chinese, and there are keywords in the title, abstract, keywords or full text of the article. For the selection of manuscripts, first, select articles according to titles, then summarize them, and finally, analyze the full text of the publication. Elimination criteria: 1. Duplicate reports; 2. There are research design defects and poor quality; 3. Incomplete data and unclear ending effect; 4. The statistical method is wrong and cannot be corrected.
Results
The pharmacological characteristics of E.vulgare and E.plantagineum can basically support their traditional use, but the medicinal substances contained in them are quite different in composition and content, and the development and application of corresponding products are also different.
Conclusions
At present, there is little clinical data about drugs related to the two species, and more research is needed in the future, especially human experiments and clinical trials, to evaluate the cellular and molecular mechanisms based on pharmacological, biological activity and safety studies, and to provide more powerful scientific basis for their traditional medicinal properties. In addition, the further application and development of the medicinal products of E.vulgare and E.plantagineum still need to be precise and identified, so as to give full play to their medicinal potential.
Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health and development concern on a global scale. The increasing resistance of the pathogenic bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae to antibiotics necessitates efforts to identify potential alternative antibiotics from nature, including insects, which are already recognized as a source of natural antibiotics by the scientific community. This study aimed to determine the potential of components of gut-associated bacteria isolated from Apis dorsata, an Asian giant honeybee, as an antibacterial against N. gonorrhoeae by in vitro and in silico methods as an initial process in the stage of new drug discovery. The identified gut-associated bacteria of A. dorsata included Acinetobacter indicus and Bacillus cereus with 100% identity to referenced bacteria from GenBank. Cell-free culture supernatants (CFCS) of B. cereus had a very strong antibacterial activity against N. gonorrhoeae in an in vitro antibacterial testing. Meanwhile, molecular docking revealed that antimicrobial lipopeptides from B. cereus (surfactin, fengycin, and iturin A) had a comparable value of binding-free energy (BFE) with the target protein receptor for N. gonorrhoeae, namely penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 1 and PBP2 when compared with the ceftriaxone, cefixime, and doxycycline. The molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) study revealed that the surfactin remains stable at the active site of PBP2 despite the alteration of the H-bond and hydrophobic interactions. According to this finding, surfactin has the greatest antibacterial potential against PBP2 of N. gonorrhoeae.
Honey is a sweet gift of nature to mankind. It is a miraculous liquid produced from the nectar of flower by the action of honeybees. Honey provides multiple nutritional and curative benefits owing to its chemical composition and physical properties which in turn depend on floral source, geographical origin, processing, and storage. Chemically, honey is a concentrated carbohydrate solution. In addition to sugars, small amounts of minerals, proteins, vitamins, acids, and antioxidants are also present that impart biological attributes to honey, i.e., antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. These biological properties are responsible for its health-promoting effects. History of honey is as old as human civilization on this earth. Several Stone Age evidence show that the practice of beekeeping and honey harvesting was performed since ever. During ancient civilization, honey was used as a sweetener in various foods, sacred products for religious offerings, eye cosmetics, ointment to treat wounds and burns as well as medicine to cure disease and disorders of the digestive system and eye ailments. In the modern era, clinical and laboratory studies have scientifically proved the traditionally claimed nutritional and medicinal attributes of honey. Recently, honey is used in various commercially available products as sweetener, wound healing ointment, food preservative, prebiotic, in skincare products, and as medicine to treat cough and eye ailments. The present chapter is intended to provide information on multiple health benefits of honey as well as its utilization in traditional and modern culture.
Microbial contamination of wounds is a significant problem that delays healing, particularly when bacterial biofilms are present. A novel combination of pectinic acid (PG) + caprylic acid (CAP) was previously found in vitro to be highly effective in eradicating various pathogens in biofilms with minimal cytotoxicity. In this study, a novel wound ointment was formulated with PG + CAP and first assessed in vitro using a well-established biofilm eradication model. In vitro, the PG + CAP ointment was shown to be efficacious in reducing the microbial biofilms. This ointment was then tested in vivo in two pilot porcine wound healing models, with and without Staphylococcus aureus microbial challenge. Ointments were applied to each wound daily, and healing by wound closure area measurement was assessed weekly over 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, pigs were sacrificed and wounds were scored for reepithelialization, inflammation, granulation tissue, and collagen deposition. We compared PG + CAP to hydroxyethylcellulose + glycerol ointment base (control) and MediHoney (comparator). In the porcine microbial challenge model, the novel antimicrobial PG + CAP wound ointment rapidly eradicated bacterial organisms embedded in wounds, was safe and well-tolerated, and was associated with enhanced healing compared to ointment base and MediHoney. Specifically, the cumulative histopathology, reepithelialization of epidermis, and mature granulation tissue in the wound bed was significantly better with PG + CAP than with control and MediHoney treatments. This ointment warrants further study as a non-antibiotic ointment for use in treating a wide array of infected wounds.
Apitherapy is a branch of complementary and alternative medicine that uses naturally derived bee products, such as honey, propolis, and bee venom, for their potential health benefits. Historical uses of these agents date back centuries and can be found embedded in the traditions of many cultures and groups. While the mechanism behind each of these products is still poorly understood, a unified theme of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties appears to exist. Given their increasing popularity for skin care, many studies are currently investigating the use of bee products in common skin conditions. Although additional research and evidence is needed, it appears there is some potential application for use of these products in the treatment of acne and rosacea. In this chapter, we provide a brief review of the current literature discussing the efficacy of bee products, how they compare to today’s standard medical therapeutic options, as well as discuss potential side effects, risks, and harms that one ought to be aware of when using these agents.
Medical properties and applications of honey in Aulus Cornelius Celsus' De medicina libri VIII): The medical application of honey has a long tradition. In antiquity it was used as a potent substance with dietary and medicinal attributes. Based on Celsus' texts we know that the ancient Romans used honey primarily in treating skin conditions, including inflammations such as Erysipelas, wounds, all types of ulcers and eye diseases. Celsus mentioned honey in numerous formulas, but he did not distinguish between its types or the ways in which it was obtained. More attention was paid to such matters in the following centuries. This can be observed by analysing the formulas included in the works of younger authors.
Medical properties and applications of honey in Aulus Cornelius Celsus' De medicina libri VIII): The medical application of honey has a long tradition. In antiquity it was used as a potent substance with dietary and medicinal attributes. Based on Celsus' texts we know that the ancient Romans used honey primarily in treating skin conditions, including inflammations such as Erysipelas, wounds, all types of ulcers and eye diseases. Celsus mentioned honey in numerous formulas, but he did not distinguish between its types or the ways in which it was obtained. More attention was paid to such matters in the following centuries. This can be observed by analysing the formulas included in the works of younger authors.
Honey has been and is being used for medical, pharmaceutical, and domestic needs. Besides, it is used as a conventional medicine and has various pharmacological properties. A variety of polyphenolic compounds are stated in honey and among them important polyphenols are Caffeic acid (CA), Quercetin (QU), Chrysin (CR), Kaempferol (KF), Apigenin (AP), Galangin (GA), Acacetin (AC), Caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE), Pinocembrin (PC), and Pinobanksin (PB) that have evolved as potential pharmacokinetic agents in the cure of cancer. Caffeic acid, a naturally occurring phenolic compound commonly found in honey, is being comprehensively studied for its therapeutic use and is being described as a cancer-causing agent in preliminary studies, but the same compound in combination with other antioxidants has been revealed to repress colon tumors in rats. CAPE was similarly proposed to have anticarcinogenic, antimitogenic, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory potential. In a related progressive study, influence of CA against UVB (280–320 nm) irradiation-induced IL10 appearance and stimulation of MAPKs (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases) in skin of mouse was observed. The findings strongly propose that chrysin exercises growth inhibitory properties either by prompting p38 MAPK leading to buildup of p21Waf1/Cip-1 protein or by arbitrating the repression of proteosome action. It is also a well-established fact that chrysin prompts cell death in association with stimulation of caspase-3 and Akt signal corridor, which plays a vital role in chrysin-incited cell death in U937 cells. Galangin and its antiproliferative outcome on HL-60 cells was expressed in a manner that is dependent on dose, and it also prompted DNA breakage without any loss of integrity of cell membrane. Similarly, quercetin was also shown in an in vitro study to impede HL-60 cell propagation in association with repression of cytosolic PKC (Protein Kinase C) and TPK (tyrosine protein kinase) membrane bound. Acacetin, another important flavonoid, was revealed to impede the propagation of A549 cells, prompt apoptosis, and block cell cycle promotion at G1 cell cycle phase and also heightened the appearance of p53 protein and Fas ligands. Besides was also depicted to impede HepG2 cell propagation and incite cell death by boosting p53 protein and Fas ligands as in case of A-549 cells. Kaempferol-mediated cell death in H-460 cells was complemented by substantial DNA coiling/condensation and amassing ATP content. Besides, it altered the levels of Caspase-3 and AIF (Apoptosis-Inducing Factor). Pinocembrin has been shown to induce loss of MMP (mitochondrial membrane potential) with further release of cytochrome c and processing of caspase 3 and 9 in colon HCT116 cancer cells. Apigenin has been shown to exert antiproliferative influence against colon, breast, neuroblastoma, cervical, and liver cancer cell lines. The chapter has clearly put forth certain honey-based compounds that have been tested in laboratory setups and have been revealed to be hopeful pharmacological agent for hindering cancer propagation.
Honey is the material made by mixing of nectar and sweet deposits from plants and later on modified by honey bees. Honey is one of the most appreciated and valued natural products introduced to humankind since ancient times. Honey is a nutritional material that is traditionally known for its medicinal properties. Honey is used as a traditional medicine in treating various clinical ailments from wound healing to cancer apart from being used as a nutritional product. In dermatology, honey is used in the treatment of eczema, ulcers, wounds, atopic dermatitis (AD), allergies, and much more due to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties. In conclusion, honey could be considered as a natural therapeutic agent for various medicinal purposes. Sufficient evidences recommend the use of honey in the management of disease conditions especially skin- related disorders. Based on these facts, the use of honey in clinical wards is highly recommended. However, more rigorous scientific studies are needed to confirm its benefits in health care settings especially in the field of dermatology.
Metabolic disorders occur when unusual chemical reactions take place in the body amend usual metabolic pathways. Diabetes mellitus a metabolic disorder is generally characterized by high glucose level in blood over longer period of time. In type 1 diabetes, pancreas fails to produce adequate insulin and the same effect is due to the loss of beta cells of pancreas. Type 2 diabetes begins with resistance to insulin and accordingly gives no response to insulin. Gestational diabetes mellitus is similar to type 2 diabetes in various aspects and is having combination of inadequate insulin and sensitivity to it. For many years, honey is being used as a substitute for sugar and for providing medicinal benefits. In animal as well as human studies, convincing evidence specifies that honey displays antidiabetic as well as hypoglycemic effects. Additionally, honey consumption improved other disorders related to metabolism and to diabetes such as reduced levels of HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) and hepatic transaminases and increased HDL cholesterol. The same was in addition to lowering hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. Besides depicting hypoglycemic effect, research has indicated that honey improves lipid anomalies in rats and humans suffering from diabetes. The beneficial effects of honey could also be limiting other disorders of metabolism and lessening damaging effects on various organs of the body that ultimately result in diabetic complications. Although there are few studies in the literature which are contrary to the above-depicted discussions regarding the beneficial effects of honey and its use in diabetic disorder. Also the clinical trials or studies on humans (both diabetic and healthy) are rather very sparse. It is anticipated that this book chapter will encourage fundamental investigation intended at explicating the mode of actions by which oligosaccharides present in honey improves antidiabetic/hypoglycemic effects.
In this research, spectral data in UV region (200-400 nm) alongside PCA and SIMCA chemometrics were used to classify two types of honey obtained from different honeybees (Apis dorsata versus Apis mellifera). A total of 200 Durian monofloral honey samples from Apis dorsata and 120 samples for Longan monofloral honey from Apis mellifera were prepared. Therefore, spectral data were recorded based on the following parameters: range of acquisition 200-400 nm, transmittance mode, and interval 1 nm. In addition, the original spectra were transformed using three different algorithms: moving average smoothing with 11 segments, standard normal variate (SNV), and Savitzky-Golay 1st derivative with 11 segments and 2 ordos. The result of PCA using transformed spectra in the range of 250-400 nm explained the possibility of clearly separating Durian and Longan honey along the PC1 axis, with 98% variance, while the SIMCA showed a 100% proper classification rate for all prediction samples. In addition, several important wavelengths were identified alongside high x-loadings values at 270 and 300 nm. These results were closely related to the absorbance of important phenolic compounds in honey, including benzoic, salicylic, and aryl-alyphatic acids. The results demonstrate a probability to establish simple and low-cost honey authentication systems, using UV spectroscopy and chemometrics on free-chemical in sample preparations. Keywords: authentication, Apis dorsata, Apis mellifera, SIMCA, UV spectroscopy
Honey is used as a common breakfast item all over the world. Honey is also used in cooking and baking, is used as a spread on breads and is added to beverages such as tea, or as a sweetener in commercial beverages. In Nepal, there is a fancy for the use of wild honey. Honey is also used in weight reduction. Studies reported elsewhere pinpoint that wild honey is poisonous. This poisoning is well known from ancient times, right from the time of Xenophon. This wild honey is derived from the flowers of Rhododendrons (the national flower of Nepal). Honey consumption toxicity was noted in a few medical students who were treated and the current paper describes the outcome and the cause of toxicity.
Since ancient times woman have turned to the beautifies of nature to help or increase their own beauty. Even today, people especially in rural areas depend upon plants for traditional cosmetics. The research work is confined to herbal cosmetics with special reference of local communities of district Northern Pakistan. Through questionnaires, study was conducted in 20 villages of district Attock to collect information from local people for preparation, use of herbal cosmetics and their conservation. Indigenous data on 40 herbal recipes were collected from respondent informants. A total of 40 plant species belonging to 38 genera and 34 families were used in herbal cosmetics. Local communities, especially woman heavily use these herbal cosmetics for their beauty and believe that these are easily available, less expensive, and have no side effects.
This review is concerned with analytical methods to prove the authenticity of honey. A special emphasis is put on suitable methods for the detection of the geographical and botanical origin of honey. Whereas the determination of some single parameters, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), moisture, enzyme activity, nitrogen, mono- and disaccharides, and residues from medicinal treatment or pesticides in honey does not lead to any information about the botanical and geographical origin, there are some suitable methods based on the analysis of specific components or on multi-component analysis. Mostly, such methods give indications of the botanical origin, investigating flavonoids patterns, distribution of pollen, aroma compounds and special marker compounds. There are some other profiles of components which could probably be used for the detection of the geographical origin (e.g. oligosaccharides, amino acids, trace elements). In particular, the combination of methods could be a promising approach to prove authenticity, especially when modern statistical data evaluation techniques will be applied.
Honeybees (“bjt”) and their products honey and wax played an important role in Ancient Egypt. The bee became the symbol of the Pharaoh of Lower Egypt and a royal hieroglyph. Honey and wax were used for many purposes in daily life, as votive offering or as salary.Microcalorimetric experiments on bees of various ages or occupations and different castes as well as social effects among them are presented. Calorimetric curves are investigated for temporal structures indicating locomotor activities of the animals. Moreover, adult animals of the domesticated “usual” European honey bee Apis mellifera carnica are compared with those of the (modern) Egyptian bee Apis mellifera lamarckii.Differential scanning calorimetry and combustion bomb calorimetry have been applied to pollen, to honeys of various origins (lime-tree, pine, rape) or of intended purposes (royal jelly, hoarded food), to propolis and to different types of beeswax (comb wax from various places in the stock, wax from uncapping, wax for queen cells and commercial waxes).
Honey is recognized traditionally for its medicinal properties and also appreciated as a topical healing agent for infected and noninfected wounds. This study evaluates impact of honey-based occlusive dressing on nonhealing (nonresponding to conventional antibiotics) traumatic lower limb wounds (n = 34) through clinicopathological and immunohistochemical (e.g., expression of p63, E-cadherin, and Collagen I and III) evaluations to enrich the scientific validation. Clinical findings noted the nonadherence of honey dressing with remarkable chemical debridement and healing progression within 11-15 days of postintervention. Histopathologically, in comparison to preintervention biopsies, the postintervention tissues of wound peripheries demonstrated gradual normalization of epithelial and connective tissue features with significant changes in p63(+) epithelial cell population, reappearance of membranous E-cadherin (P < .0001), and optimum deposition of collagen I and III (P < .0001). Thus, the present study for the first time reports the impact of honey on vital protein expressions in epithelial and connective tissues during repair of nonhealing lower limb wounds.
The widespread existence of unhealed wounds, ulcers, and burns has a great impact on public health and economy. Many interventions, including new medications and technologies, are being used to help achieve significant wound healing and to eliminate infections. Therefore, to find an intervention that has both therapeutic effect on the healing process and the ability to kill microbes is of great value. Honey is a natural product that has been recently introduced in modern medical practice. Honey's antibacterial properties and its effects on wound healing have been thoroughly investigated. Laboratory studies and clinical trials have shown that honey is an effective broad-spectrum antibacterial agent. This paper reviews data that support the effectiveness of natural honey in wound healing and its ability to sterilize infected wounds. Studies on the therapeutic effects of honey collected in different geographical areas on skin wounds, skin and gastric ulcers, and burns are reviewed and mechanisms of action are discussed. (Ulcers and burns are included as an example of challenging wounds.) The data show that the wound healing properties of honey include stimulation of tissue growth, enhanced epithelialization, and minimized scar formation. These effects are ascribed to honey's acidity, hydrogen peroxide content, osmotic effect, nutritional and antioxidant contents, stimulation of immunity, and to unidentified compounds. Prostaglandins and nitric oxide play a major role in inflammation, microbial killing, and the healing process. Honey was found to lower prostaglandin levels and elevate nitric oxide end products. These properties might help to explain some biological and therapeutic properties of honey, particularly as an antibacterial agent or wound healer. The data presented here demonstrate that honeys from different geographical areas have considerable therapeutic effects on chronic wounds, ulcers, and burns. The results encourage the use of honey in clinical practice as a natural and safe wound healer.
The results of an ethnobotanical study conducted in the pristine village of ProkoÅko Lake (Vranica Mountain, Bosnia and Herzegovina) in summer 2007 is presented. Informal interviews involving 12 informants known as âtraditional healersâ provided data from 43 plants used in 82 prescriptions. The applied plants were used for a broad spectrum of indications. The most frequent were gastro-intestinal tract ailments, blood system disorders, skin ailments, respiratory tract ailments and urinary-genital tract ailments. The most frequent preparation was an infusion. Other often used preparations were ointments or balms and decocts. The special Bosnian balms known as âmehlemsâ were prepared from freshly chopped or freshly pressed herbal parts of various plant species. Warmed resins from Abies or Picea species, raw cow or pig lard, olive oil and honey served as basis. The traditional doctors, who usually worked as a team, enjoyed such a good reputation that people from all over the country were visiting in search of alternative ways to cure their ailments and diseases. The practical techniques applied by the healers and some of their attitudes and values are reported.
Honey has been used since ancient times as a remedy in wound healing. However, even though the results from randomized clinical trials document that honey accelerates wound healing, no study dealing with its influence on human skin cells (epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblast) has been performed. We demonstrate that keratinocytes, which are known to be involved in wound healing, are responsible for elevated production of mediators including cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and TGF-beta) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) after incubation with honey. Real-time PCR was performed for the quantification of mRNA level of selected cytokines and MMP-9. Furthermore, we show that the increased level of MMP-9 in the epidermis following incubation with honey leads to degradation of type IV collagen in the basement membrane. These data indisputably demonstrate that honey activates keratinocytes and support the findings that honey may accelerate wound healing process.
Royal jelly is widely consumed in the community and has perceived benefits ranging from promoting growth in children and improvement of general health status to enhancement of longevity for the elderly. However, royal jelly consumption has been linked to contact dermatitis, acute asthma, anaphylaxis and death. High prevalence of positive skin tests to royal jelly have been reported among atopic populations in countries with a high rate of royal jelly consumption. The present study is aimed to identify the major allergens of royal jelly. Royal jelly extract was separated by sodium dodecyl polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-D). Immunoblotting of the SDS-PAGE and 2-D profiles were performed to identify the allergenic spots. Spots were then excised from the 2-D gel, digested with trypsin and analyzed by mass spectrometry. The SDS-PAGE of royal jelly extract revealed 18 bands between 10 to 167 kD. Western blot of the fractionated proteins detected 15 IgE-binding bands between 14 to 127 kD with seven major allergens of 32, 40, 42, 49, 55, 60 and 67 kD using serum from 53 subjects with royal jelly allergy. The 2-D gel fractionated the royal jelly proteins to more than 50 different protein spots. Out of these, 30 spots demonstrated specific IgE affinity to the sera tested. Eight spots of the major royal jelly allergens were selected for mass-spectrometry analysis. Digested tryptic peptides of the spots were compared to the amino acid sequence search in protein databases which identified the fragments of royal jelly homologus to major royal jelly protein 1 (MRJ1) and major royal jelly protein 2 (MRJ2). In conclusion, the major allergens of royal jelly are MRJ1 and MRJ2 in our patients' population.
The story of cosmetics and perfumery forms a continuous narrative throughout the history of man, developing as he developed. The origins are associated with fighting, hunting, religion and superstition; later with medicine; then, as knowledge increased, becoming dissociated from medicine and allied to pharmacy. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries books omitting cosmetics and devoted to perfumery were printed; interestingly, the study and preparation of essential oils developed separately in the wine, cordial and beverage industry with the beginnings of the science of distillation, in the sixteenth century. Today cosmetic, perfumery and essential oil industries exist with technologies of their own. The scientific bases of these are supported by the many new researches in chemistry and especially in the biochemistry of the skin and bodily functions.
This chapter will consider the preservation of cosmetics and toiletries by the control of microbial growth, where the following definitions apply:
Botulism is caused by a neurotoxin produced from the anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulism in humans is usually caused by toxin types A, B, and E. Since 1973, a median of 24 cases of foodborne botulism, 3 cases of wound botulism, and 71 cases of infant botulism have been reported annually to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). New vehicles for transmission have emerged in recent decades, and wound botulism associated with black tar heroin has increased dramatically since 1994. Recently, the potential terrorist use of botulinum toxin has become an important concern.
Botulism is characterized by symmetric, descending, flaccid paralysis of motor and autonomic nerves, usually beginning with the cranial nerves.Blurred vision, dysphagia, and dysarthria are common initial complaints. The diagnosis of botulism is based on compatible clinical findings; history of exposure to suspect foods; and supportive ancillary testing to rule out other causes of neurologic dysfunction that mimic botulism, such as stroke, the Guillain-Barre syndrome, and myasthenia gravis. Laboratory confirmation of suspected cases is performed at the CDC and some state laboratories. Treatment includes supportive care and trivalent equine antitoxin, which reduces mortality if administered early. The CDC releases botulism antitoxin through an emergency distribution system. Although rare, botulism outbreaks are a public health emergency that require rapid recognition to prevent additional cases and to effectively treat patients. Because clinicians are the first to treat patients in any type of botulism outbreak, they must know how to recognize, diagnose, and treat this rare but potentially lethal disease.
Thermal processing of honey eliminates the microorganisms responsible for spoilage. Microwave heating, infrared heating, ultrasound processing, and membrane processing have been explored as alternatives to conventional heat processing. Microwave heating provides a rapid method for achieving the desired level of yeast reduction with reduced thermal damage. Infrared heating is not as rapid as microwave heating but desired results are achieved in a relatively shorter duration (3 to 4 minutes) compared to the conventional method. Membrane processing is an athermal process and very effective in the complete removal of yeast cells from honey. Microfiltration and ultrafiltration could be employed to produce enzyme-enriched honey besides clarified honey.
This review discusses the processing techniques proposed for the production of dried and intermediate moisture honey products, as well as their properties. Stickiness is the major problem in the drying of sugar rich products like honey, that depend on the type of sugar and temperature of operation, which are related to the glass transition temperature. Some additives are usually added to the sugary feed to increase the glass transition temperature and concurrently the sticky point temperature. In the case of honey-fruit spreads, nutritional and sensory characteristics can be enhanced by replacing part of sugar with honey. Co-crystallization of honey with sucrose could be used to preserve the honey flavor. These diversified honey products provide better taste and nutrition to the consumer besides enhancing the utilization of honey.
Some components responsible for the exceptionally high antibacterial activity of manuka honey were isolated by testing fractions of the honey for activity against Staphylococcus aureus. An ethanol-ether extract of the honey was separated by preparative-layer chromatography and the fractions thus obtained were assessed for antibacterial activity. One fairly homogeneous fraction was identified as methyl 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoate (methyl syringate, 1b). Combined gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy indicated the presence of this compound in some of the other antibacterial fractions together with methyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (1c) and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid (1a). Authentic specimens of 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (syringic acid, 1d) and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid (1a) and their methyl esters were tested against S. aureus. The acids and, to a lesser extent, methyl syringate were found to possess significant antibacterial activity.
This review covers the general area of disease and problems such as malaria, bacterial and fungal infections, free radical damage and the decline in the immune system. After a brief history of ethnopharmacology, we discuss the scientific approaches that have been used in the screening of medicinal plants and identify some African medicinal plants that are used successfully in the treatment of these diseases. It is evident that African medicinal plants are continuously being screened for their pharmacological properties and many interesting results with crude extracts have occasionally been obtained through the isolation and identification of the active principles. However, as a source of new drugs, African medicinal plants are understudied, considering the high percentage of plants not yet screened for their biochemical composition or for their pharmacological properties.
Background:
Phenolic compound profiles of 20 honeys of different botanical origin (eucalyptus, citrus, chestnut and linden) were obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection after solid phase extraction, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the fingerprint method for monofloral honey discrimination.
Results:
A total of 58 peaks were detected at λ = 280 nm. Distinctive phenolic compound profiles were obtained in which both the nature and the relative amount of the detected compounds were characteristic for different botanical source honeys. In order to detect sample groupings, chromatographic peak areas were submitted to principal component analysis. Then linear discriminant analysis was carried out on the first three principal components. In addition, linear discriminant analysis was carried out on the 58 variables, allowing the selection of five variables able to discriminate honeys of different botanical origin.
Conclusion:
The chemometric evaluation of the phenolic compound profiles yielded classification models able to group honey samples according to their floral source with an excellent degree of agreement. The main advantage of the fingerprint approach with respect to traditional methods is that it does not require time-consuming identification and quantification of the analytes. The method proved to be effective for the assessment of honey authenticity.
Honey has been used since ancient times for wound repair, but the subjacent mechanisms are almost unknown. We have tried to elucidate the modulatory role of honey in an in vitro model of HaCaT keratinocyte re-epithelialization by using acacia, buckwheat, and manuka honeys. Scratch wound and migration assays showed similar increases of re-epithelialization rates and chemoattractant effects in the presence of different types of honey (0.1%, v/v). However, the use of kinase and calcium inhibitors suggested the occurrence of different mechanisms. All honeys activated cyclin-dependent kinase 2, focal adhesion kinase, and rasGAP SH3 binding protein 1. However, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, integrin-β3, cdc25C, and p42/44 mitogen activated protein kinase showed variable activation pattern. Re-epithelialization recapitulates traits of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the induction of this process was evaluated by a polymerase chain reaction array, revealing marked differences among honeys. Manuka induced few significant changes in the expression of EMT-regulatory genes, while the other two honeys acted on a wider number of genes and partially showed a common profile of up- and down-regulation. In conclusion, our findings have shown that honey-driven wound repair goes through the activation of keratinocyte re-epithelialization, but the ability of inducing EMT varies sensibly among honeys, according to their botanical origin.
In the current healthcare environment, clinicians are increasingly under pressure to use wound care products that are cost effective. This includes products that can be used in a variety of wounds to achieve different outcomes, depending on the wound-bed requirements. Medical-grade honey has emerged as a product that can achieve a variety of outcomes within the wound and is safe and easy to use. This article reviews the use of a medical-grade honey, with a view to including it on the wound care formulary in both primary and secondary care. It featured in a poster presentation at the Wounds UK conference at Harrogate in 2011.
Honey has been reported to have antifungal activity and so was tested against clinical isolates of the common dermatophyte species which cause tineas in man. A honey with an average level of hydrogen peroxide, and a manuka (Leptospermum scoparium J. R. and G. Forst, family Myrtaceae) honey with an average level of non-peroxide antibacterial activity were used. An agar well diffusion assay was used, the contents of the wells being replaced with freshly prepared honey solutions at 24-h intervals over the 3–4 days of incubation.The lowest concentrations (% v/v, in steps of 5%) of manuka honey with catalase added to remove hydrogen peroxide, and of the other honey (without catalase) showed that inhibition of growth around the wells were, respectively, Epidermophyton floccosum 25%, 10%; Microsporum canis 25%, 15%; Microsporum gypseum 55%, 20%; Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale 45%, 15%; Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes 25%, 15%; Trichophyton rubrum 20%, 5% and Trichophyton tonsurans 25%, 20%. No inhibitory activity was detected with the other honey at 50% (v/v) with catalase added.The results of this investigation show that the common dermatophytes are sensitive to the antimicrobial activity of honey, indicating that clinical evaluation of honey in the treatment of tineas is warranted. This would determine whether the hydrogen peroxide or the non-peroxide antifungal agent diffuses better into the skin.
Total polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant power of raw honey samples from two of the most common Italian varieties, i.e., Millefiori and Acacia, were evaluated. Phenolic content, expressed as caffeic acid equivalents, ranged from 12.5 to 17.5 mg/100 g and from 3 to 11 mg/100 g in Millefiori and Acacia honeys, respectively. All Millefiori samples exhibited the highest flavonoid concentration being between 1.23 and 2.93 mg catechin equivalents (CE)/100 g honey. Total flavonoids in 100 g Acacia honeys were in the range of 0.45–1.01 mg CE. Acacia honeys had lower total antioxidant power, as assessed by ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay, than Millefiori. The relationship between phenolic content and antioxidant power was discussed. Comparative experimental analysis was performed with an artificial honey and processed honeys. Raw Millefiori honey is rich in both amount and variety of antioxidant substances, and its inclusion in the diet may be recommended to complement other polyphenol sources.
In this article I intend to elucidate the extent to which medieval western Jewish and Christian women shared customs, knowledge and practices regarding health care, a sphere which has been historically considered as part of women's daily domestic tasks. My study aims to identify female agency in medical care, as well as women's interaction across religious lines, by analysing elusive sources, such as medical literature on women's health care, and by collating the information they provide with data obtained from other textual and visual records. By searching specific evidence of the dialogues that must have occurred between Christian and Jewish women in transmitting their knowledge and experiences, I put forward the idea (developed from earlier work by Montserrat Cabré i Pairet) that medical texts with no clear attribution can be used as sources to reconstruct women's authoritative knowledge.
The wound-healing properties of honey are well established and it has been suggested that, among its pharmaco-active constituents, kynurenic acid (KA) exerts antinociceptive action on injured tissue by antagonizing NMDA at peripheral GABA receptors. The aim of this study was to investigate the quantitative profile of KA and of two recently identified, structurally related derivatives, 3-pyrrolidinyl-kynurenic acid (3-PKA) and its γ-lactamic derivative (γ-LACT-3-PKA), by examining their mass spectrometric behavior, in honeys from different botanical sources. We used a combination of HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS and NMR techniques (one-dimensional 1H NMR and diffusion-ordered spectroscopy NMR).Chestnut honey constantly contained KA (2114.9–23 g/kg), 3-PKA (482.8–80 mg/kg) and γ-LACT-3-PKA (845.8–32 mg/kg), confirming their reliability as markers of origin. A new metabolite, 4-quinolone (4-QUIN), was identified for the first time in one chestnut honey sample (743.4 mg/kg). Small amounts of KA were found in honeydew, sunflower, multifloral, almond and eucalyptus honeys, in the range of 23.1–143 mg/kg, suggesting contamination with chestnut honey. Total phenol content (TPC) was in the range from 194.9 to 1636.3 mgGAE/kg and total antiradical activity (TAA) from 61 to 940 mg/GAE/kg), depending on the botanical origin.Principal component analysis (PCA) was then done on these data. The three different clusters depicted: (i) antinociceptive activity from KA and/or its derivatives, typical of chestnut honey; (ii) antioxidant/radical scavenging activity by antioxidants responsible for the antiinflammatory action (dark honeys); (iii) peroxide-dependent antibacterial activity due to H2O2 production by glucose oxidase in honey.The PCA findings provide useful indications for the dermatologist for the treatment of topical diseases, and the profiling of KA and its derivatives may shed light on new aspects of the kynurenine pathway involved in tryptophan metabolism.
An ethnopharmaceutical study focused on domestic cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, and remedies to heal skin diseases traditionally used in the inland part of the Marches region (Central-Eastern Italy) has been conducted. At present, traditional knowledge concerning home-made phytocosmetics is represented by both the remnants of an orally transmitted folk heritage and also by new forms of knowledge, sometimes coming from popular phytotherapeutical books and the mass media (out of the scope of this survey), but also as a result of recent migration trends from Eastern Europe. We recorded approximately 135 cosmetic or cosmeceutical preparations prepared from more than 70 botanical species and a very few animal or mineral ingredients. Among the recorded preparations, developing a clear distinction amongst cosmetics, cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals for skin diseases is very problematic, confirming that in folk knowledge systems medicinal products for healing skin diseases and cosmetics have often been perceived as two poles of a continuum. Many of the quoted species represented well-known medicinal plants of the European phytotherapy, although we also recorded a few unusual plant taxa, which are briefly discussed under the perspective of their eventual phytochemical and/or phytopharmacological potentialities. Exotic drugs or precious essences, even native of the Mediterranean, were not quoted as ingredients for preparing perfumes and fragrances by the interviewees of the present study, thus indicating that popular cosmetic practices in rural Central Italy have taken a much separated path away from the cosmetic "know-how" of the aristocracy and high bourgeois classes of the last centuries.
Honey has been used as a medicine since ancient times in many cultures and is still used in ‘folk medicine’. The use of honey as a therapeutic substance has been rediscovered by the medical profession in more recent times, and it is gaining acceptance as an antibacterial agent for the treatment of ulcers and bed sores, and other infections resulting from burns and wounds. In many of the cases in the cited reports, honey was used on infections not responding to standard effective in rapidly clearing up infection and promoting healing. Honey has also been found to be effective in treating bacterial gastoentertis in infants. This is the published version of an article published in the journal: Bee World. Used with permission.
Au moins 500 espèces de plantes ont été utilisées comme remèdes traditionnels en Lituanie. Cette abondance de drogues végétales s'explique par les grandes ressources et la biodiversité de la flore lituanienne ainsi que par la richesse des traditions due à la diversité du peuplement. De nos jours, il est possible de trouver beaucoup de plantes médicinales vendues au marché de Vilnius (Wilno). Nombre d'entre elles ont des usages alimentaires et thérapeutiques. Nous avons mené des recherches sur le terrain (interviews de guérisseurs locaux, herboristes et autres, dans la région de Wilno) et entrepris des investigations botaniques et bibliographiques sur les plantes locales médicinales et alimentaires. Ces recherches ont permis de constater qu'un bon nombre de ces plantes suscitent actuellement un grand intérêt en raison des propriétés pharmacologiques qui leur ont été reconnues. Dans cet article sont présentés des exemples de plantes médicinales intéressantes et dignes d'attention, avec leurs usages et leurs indications. Parmi ces espèces, beaucoup semblent être des drogues de valeur, prometteuses dans le traitement de certains maux dits "de civilisation", ainsi que l'alcoolisme et les toxicomanies. Des remèdes végétaux tirés de la médecine traditionnelle pourraient aussi être utilisés dans les soins de santé primaire. (Résumé d'auteur)
This paper describes the design of an emulsion cream, obtained from a self-emulsifying base, to which lavender honey has been added. Physical, galenic and stability studies and assays, and rheological analyses, are used to describe the qualities and properties of the honeyed cream under study. The formula is presented as an ivory-coloured cream with a light lavender scent and agreeable organoleptic characteristics. From a rheological viewpoint this is very adequate for spreading and applying onto the skin because of its thixotropic behaviour. The emulsion is stable and perfectly adaptable to the requirements of this type of skin application.
This paper is a report of a study to compare a medical grade honey with conventional treatments on the healing rates of wounds healing by secondary intention.
There is an increasing body of evidence to support the use of honey to treat wounds, but there is a lack of robust randomized trials on which clinicians can base their clinical judgement.
A sample of 105 patients were involved in a single centre, open-label randomized controlled trial in which patients received either a conventional wound dressing or honey. Data were collected between September 2004 and May 2007.
The median time to healing in the honey group was 100 days compared with 140 days in the control group. The healing rate at 12 weeks was equal to 46.2% in the honey group compared with 34.0% in the conventional group, and the difference in the healing rates (95% confidence interval, CI) at 12 weeks between the two groups was 12.2% (-13.6%, 37.9%). The unadjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) from a Cox regression was equal to 1.30 (0.77, 2.19), P = 0.321. When the treatment effect was adjusted for confounding factors (sex, wound type, age and wound area at start of treatment), the hazard ratio increased to 1.51 but was again not statistically significant.
Wound area at start of treatment and sex are both highly statistically significant predictors of time to healing. These results support the proposition that there are clinical benefits from using honey in wound care, but further research is needed.
To synthesise the evidence regarding honey's role in health care and to identify whether this evidence applies more specifically to cancer care.
Systematic review.
The inclusion and exclusion criteria were agreed by two reviewers and a keyword strategy was developed. EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, MEDLINE, COCHRANE and PUBMED databases were screened to identify suitable articles. The citation list from each included study was also screened for potentially suitable papers. The key findings from each study were entered onto a data extraction sheet.
In total, 43 studies were included in the systematic review, which included studies in relation to wounds (n = 19), burns (n = 11), skin (n = 3), cancer (n = 5) and others (n = 5). In addition, a systematic review regarding honey use in wound care was also included. While the majority of studies noted the efficacy of honey in clinical use, five studies found honey to be equally as effective as the comparator and three found honey to be less effective than the comparator treatment. Other research did not illustrate any significant difference between standard treatment regimes vs. honey treatment. Studies were generally poor in quality because of small sample sizes, lack of randomisation and absence of blinding.
Honey was found to be a suitable alternative for wound healing, burns and various skin conditions and to potentially have a role within cancer care.
In the cancer setting, honey may be used for radiation-induced mucositis, radiotherapy-induced skin reactions, hand and foot skin reactions in chemotherapy patients and for oral cavity and external surgical wounds.
The antimicrobial spectrum of honey was investigated by placing two drops into each of the wells made on culture media on which pure cultures of various organisms obtained from surgical specimens were grown. The organisms were grown under both aerobic and anaerobic environments. Fungal cultures of common fungi causing surgical infections or wound contaminations were mixed with 100%, 50% and 20% unprocessed honey. Growth inhibition was complete in the media containing 100%, partial in media containing 50% and no inhibition was produced by 20% honey. Unprocessed honey inhibited most of the fungi and bacteria causing wound infection and surgical infection except Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium oedematiens. Apart from Streptococcus pyogenes which is only moderately inhibited, golden syrup, a sugar syrup with similar physical properties as honey, did not inhibit any of the bacteria or fungi tested, demonstrating that honey is superior to any hypertonic sugar solution in antimicrobial activity. Honey is thus an ideal topical wound dressing agent in surgical infections, burns and wound infections.
To identify the allergenic components of honey we studied 22 patients with a history of systemic allergic symptoms following honey ingestion. The group of honey-allergic patients was compared with three control groups: 10 subjects sensitized to artemisia, 10 with honey bee venom allergy and 10 without a history of atopy or bee sting reactions. The allergological tests included skin tests and RAST with three different kinds of Swiss honey (dandelion, forest and rape), pollen of compositae species, celery tuber, extract of bee pharyngeal glands, honey bee venom and bee whole body extract. The results show that 3/4 of honey-allergics are sensitive to dandelion honey and 13 of 22 also to compositae pollen. Nine of the honey allergic patients were sensitized to honey bee venom, 3 also to bee pharyngeal glands and to bee whole body extract. Analysis of diagnostic tests and RAST inhibition studies suggest that besides compositae pollen other allergens, most likely of bee origin are important. In honey allergics primary sensitization may be due either to the honey itself, to airborne compositae pollen or even to cross-reacting bee venom components.
The susceptibility of 72 isolates of Candida albicans to the antimicrobial honey distillate fraction (HY-1) and several antimycotic agents is presented. All the isolates were sensitive to HY-1, H-115 and Jadit, while about 10% of the isolates were variably resistant to nystatin, miconazole nitrate and clotrimazole. The nystatin, miconazole nitrate and clotrimazole resistant isolates were inhibited by HY-1.
A woman who had ingested honeybee royal jelly as a nutrient, showed an exacerbation of dermatitis when it was applied to her feet. A topical fungicide also aggravated her skin lesions. Patch testing showed positive reactions to the royal jelly, pyrrolnitrin in the fungicide and urushiol. Positive reactions to the royal jelly were found in 2 out of 10 controls, 1 of whom was sensitive to propolis.
We challenged in a double-blind manner 46 pollen-allergic patients with 30 g of honey and another 32 patients with a placebo (30 g of syrup). Minor, mostly subjective, symptoms were seen in or reported by 26% of those challenged with honey and 41% of those challenged with placebo. In no case could the symptoms with certainty be related to the challenge. Eight commercially available honeys were examined for allergen activity by RAST inhibition and immunospot methods. Both pollen and insect allergen activity was found in all honeys, and they could cause allergic reactions. However, no serious or even obvious reaction occurred in pollen-allergic patients challenged with honey.