Abstract
The composition and physicochemical properties of honey are variable depending on its floral source and often named according to the geographical location. The potential medicinal benefits of Tualang honey, a multifloral jungle honey found in Malaysia, have recently been attracting attention because of its reported beneficial effects in various diseases. This paper reviews the effects of honey, particularly Tualang honey, on learning and memory. Information regarding the effects of Tualang honey on learning and memory in human as well as animal models is gleaned to hypothesize its underlying mechanisms. These studies show that Tualang honey improves morphology of memory-related brain areas, reduces brain oxidative stress, increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and acetylcholine (ACh) concentrations, and reduces acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the brain homogenates. Its anti-inflammatory roles in reducing inflammatory trigger and microglial activation have yet to be investigated. It is hypothesized that the improvement in learning and memory following Tualang honey supplementation is due to the significant improvement in brain morphology and enhancement of brain cholinergic system secondary to reduction in brain oxidative damage and/or upregulation of BDNF concentration. Further studies are imperative to elucidate the molecular mechanism of actions.
Highlights
Tualang honey derives its name from the tualang tree (Koompassia excelsa)
The findings suggested that the neuroprotective effects of KOK may be mediated by its anti-inflammatory activities, resulting in the attenuation of memory impairment [19]
The study showed that daily consumption of Tualang honey for 18 days in female ovariectomized rats is able to increase superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities, and decreases malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO) levels in the brain homogenate of Tualang honey-treated group as compared with the untreated stressed OVX rats
Summary
Tualang honey derives its name from the tualang tree (Koompassia excelsa). The Koompassia excelsa tree is among the tallest trees in the world, and one of the most prominent trees in the tropical rainforests of the Sunda Shelf. 80 m) in height and is found in the tropical rain forests of Sumatra, Borneo, South Thailand, and Peninsular Malaysia [1]. Tualang honey is produced by rock bee (Apis dorsata). It has a dark brown appearance, a pH of. 3.55–4.00 and a specific gravity of 1.335 [3] It is more acidic than other local Malaysian honeys, such as Kelulut Hitam, Kelulut Putih, and Gelam [3]. This characteristic makes Tualang honey effective against several pathogenic microorganisms [3,4]. Tualang honey contains more phenolic acids and flavonoids than Manuka honey and other local. The vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, trace elements, and other compounds in Tualang honey have yet to be quantified
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