Abstract
Honey is a natural substance appreciated for its therapeutic abilities since ancient times. Its content in flavonoids and phenolic acids plays a key role on human health, thanks to the high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that they exert. Honey possesses antimicrobial capacity and anticancer activity against different types of tumors, acting on different molecular pathways that are involved on cellular proliferation. In addition, an antidiabetic activity has also been highlighted, with the reduction of glucose, fructosamine, and glycosylated hemoglobin serum concentration. Honey exerts also a protective effect in the cardiovascular system, where it mainly prevents the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, in the nervous system, in the respiratory system against asthma and bacterial infections, and in the gastrointestinal system. A beneficial effect of honey can also be demonstrated in athletes. The purpose of this review is to summarize and update the current information regarding the role of honey in health and diseases.
Highlights
Oxidative stress is the basis of structural and functional damage to the main biomolecules such as nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins
Glucose oxidase converts glucose into δ-gluconolactone, which is hydrolyzed to gluconic acid, the principal acid in honey and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), responsible of the antimicrobial activity of honey
Once absorbed by the intestinal epithelium and before arriving inside the bloodstream, the flavonoids enter the second phase of the metabolism, which leads to the formation of different conjugated products: in particular, sulfotransferases (SULTs) generate sulfates, uridine-50 -diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) allows the formation of glucoronides, the catechol-O-methyltransferases (COMTs) produce methylated derivatives
Summary
Oxidative stress is the basis of structural and functional damage to the main biomolecules such as nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins. These injuries lead to the development of many diseases, such as cancer, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular dysfunctions. Exogenous intake of antioxidant compounds through the diet can counteract the effect of oxidant molecules such as free radicals, reducing oxidant stress [2]. The therapeutic effect of honey results from the presence of various antioxidant molecules, including phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids [4]. A protective effect of honey was observed in physiological condition characterized by high levels of free radicals, such as those of athletes practicing different sports [7] (Figure 1). The aim of the present review is to summarize and update recent evidence, obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies, on the potential of honey in maintaining human well-being, and preventing the most common diseases
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