Honey Bioactive Molecules: There Is a World Beyond the Sugars

Overview

Journal BioTech (Basel)

Specialty Biotechnology

Date 2024 Nov 25

PMID 39584904

Authors

Gregorio Bonsignore

Simona Martinotti

Elia Ranzato

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Honey's many bioactive compounds have been utilized historically to cure infectious diseases. Beneficial effects are its antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-stimulating qualities. The bee species, geographic location, botanical origin, harvest season, processing, and storage conditions all affect honey's potential for therapeutic use. Honey contains a number of antioxidants and active compounds, such as polyphenols, which have been shown to have disease-preventive properties. Based on their origins, categories, and functions, the main polyphenols found in various honey varieties are examined in this review.

Citing Articles

Propolis: A Natural Substance with Multifaceted Properties and Activities.

Martinotti S, Bonsignore G, Ranzato E Int J Mol Sci. 2025; 26(4).

PMID: 40003984 PMC: 11855500. DOI: 10.3390/ijms26041519.

References

Lu H, Tian Z, Cui Y, Liu Z, Ma X . Chlorogenic acid: A comprehensive review of the dietary sources, processing effects, bioavailability, beneficial properties, mechanisms of action, and future directions. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2020; 19(6):3130-3158. DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12620. View

Venditti A, Maggi F, Vittori S, Papa F, Serrilli A, Di Cecco M . Antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of Achillea tenorii. Pharm Biol. 2015; 53(10):1505-10. DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.991833. View

Kamal M, Klein P . Determination of sugars in honey by liquid chromatography. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2013; 18(1):17-21. PMC: 3730891. DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2010.09.003. View

Al-Waili N, Salom K, Al-Ghamdi A . Honey for wound healing, ulcers, and burns; data supporting its use in clinical practice. ScientificWorldJournal. 2011; 11:766-87. PMC: 5720113. DOI: 10.1100/tsw.2011.78. View

Chen L, Cheng H, Kuan Y, Liang T, Chao Y, Lin H . Therapeutic Potential of Luteolin on Impaired Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-Induced Rats. Biomedicines. 2021; 9(7). PMC: 8301369. DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070761. View

Karabagias I, Badeka A, Kontakos S, Karabournioti S, Kontominas M . Characterisation and classification of Greek pine honeys according to their geographical origin based on volatiles, physicochemical parameters and chemometrics. Food Chem. 2013; 146:548-57. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.09.105. View

Martinotti S, Ranzato E . Honey, Wound Repair and Regenerative Medicine. J Funct Biomater. 2018; 9(2). PMC: 6023338. DOI: 10.3390/jfb9020034. View

Habryka C, Socha R, Juszczak L . The Effect of Enriching Honey with Propolis on the Antioxidant Activity, Sensory Characteristics, and Quality Parameters. Molecules. 2020; 25(5). PMC: 7179452. DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051176. View

Moniruzzaman M, Yung An C, Rao P, Hawlader M, Azlan S, Sulaiman S . Identification of phenolic acids and flavonoids in monofloral honey from Bangladesh by high performance liquid chromatography: determination of antioxidant capacity. Biomed Res Int. 2014; 2014:737490. PMC: 4090494. DOI: 10.1155/2014/737490. View

10.

Almasaudi S, Al-Nahari A, Abd El-Ghany E, Barbour E, Al Muhayawi S, Al-Jaouni S . Antimicrobial effect of different types of honey on . Saudi J Biol Sci. 2017; 24(6):1255-1261. PMC: 5562472. DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.08.007. View

11.

Sharifi-Rad M, Nazaruk J, Polito L, Bezerra Morais-Braga M, Rocha J, Melo Coutinho H . Matricaria genus as a source of antimicrobial agents: From farm to pharmacy and food applications. Microbiol Res. 2018; 215:76-88. DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2018.06.010. View

12.

Ndip R, Malange Takang A, Echakachi C, Malongue A, Akoachere J, Ndip L . In-vitro antimicrobial activity of selected honeys on clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori. Afr Health Sci. 2011; 7(4):228-32. PMC: 3074369. View

13.

Martos I, Ferreres F, Yao L, DArcy B, Caffin N, Tomas-Barberan F . Flavonoids in monospecific eucalyptus honeys from Australia. J Agric Food Chem. 2000; 48(10):4744-8. DOI: 10.1021/jf000277i. View

14.

Anand K, Anandhi R, Pakkiyaraj M, Geraldine P . Protective effect of chrysin on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced tissue injury in male Wistar rats. Toxicol Ind Health. 2011; 27(10):923-33. DOI: 10.1177/0748233711399324. View

15.

da Silva P, Gauche C, Gonzaga L, Costa A, Fett R . Honey: Chemical composition, stability and authenticity. Food Chem. 2015; 196:309-23. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.09.051. View

16.

Bohn T . Dietary factors affecting polyphenol bioavailability. Nutr Rev. 2014; 72(7):429-52. DOI: 10.1111/nure.12114. View

17.

Oses S, Pascual-Mate A, Fernandez-Muino M, Lopez-Diaz T, Sancho M . Bioactive properties of honey with propolis. Food Chem. 2015; 196:1215-23. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.10.050. View

18.

Heitman E, Ingram D . Cognitive and neuroprotective effects of chlorogenic acid. Nutr Neurosci. 2014; 20(1):32-39. DOI: 10.1179/1476830514Y.0000000146. View

19.

Alvarez-Suarez J, Giampieri F, Battino M . Honey as a source of dietary antioxidants: structures, bioavailability and evidence of protective effects against human chronic diseases. Curr Med Chem. 2013; 20(5):621-38. DOI: 10.2174/092986713804999358. View

20.

Aljohar H, Maher H, Albaqami J, Al-Mehaizie M, Orfali R, Orfali R . Physical and chemical screening of honey samples available in the Saudi market: An important aspect in the authentication process and quality assessment. Saudi Pharm J. 2018; 26(7):932-942. PMC: 6218329. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2018.04.013. View