Abstract
Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of five risk factors comprising central obesity, hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, and hypertension, which predispose a person to cardiometabolic diseases. Many studies reported the beneficial effects of honey in reversing metabolic syndrome through its antiobesity, hypoglycaemic, hypolipidaemic, and hypotensive actions. This review aims to provide an overview of the mechanism of honey in reversing metabolic syndrome. The therapeutic effects of honey largely depend on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of its polyphenol and flavonoid contents. Polyphenols, such as caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and gallic acid, are some of the phenolic acids known to have antiobesity and antihyperlipidaemic properties. They could inhibit the gene expression of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 and its target lipogenic enzyme, fatty acid synthase (FAS). Meanwhile, caffeic acid and quercetin in honey are also known to reduce body weight and fat mass. In addition, fructooligosaccharides in honey are also known to alter lipid metabolism by reducing FAS activity. The fructose and phenolic acids might contribute to the hypoglycaemic properties of honey through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B insulin signalling pathway. Honey can increase the expression of Akt and decrease the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B. Quercetin, a component of honey, can improve vasodilation by enhancing nitric oxide production via endothelial nitric oxide synthase and stimulate calcium-activated potassium channels. In conclusion, honey can be used as a functional food or adjuvant therapy to prevent and manage metabolic syndrome.
Highlights
Published: 4 February 2021Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of five risk factors that predispose an individual to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1]
The idea of introducing a diagnostic criterion for metabolic syndrome was first attempted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1999, which includes insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in addition to other components, such as elevated blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, obesity (which is determined by waist/hip ratio, or body mass index (BMI)), and microalbuminuria, as a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome
Honey is a potential agent in reversing metabolic syndrome through its antiobesity, hypoglycaemic, hypolipidaemic, and hypotensive actions
Summary
Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of five risk factors that predispose an individual to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1]. According to the IDF consensus on the worldwide definition of metabolic syndrome, the worldwide prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the adult population is estimated to be 20–25% [4]. A systematic review of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the Asia Pacific demonstrated that close to 20% of the adult populations were affected by metabolic syndrome [5]. Due to the increasing metabolic syndrome prevalence, polypharmacy increases the financial burdens to the national healthcare system and the patients themselves [9]. Honey is speculated to be a potent metabolic syndrome preventive agent due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory [14], hepatoprotective [15], antihypertensive [16], and antiobesity properties [17]. A better understanding of the antimetabolic properties of honey will facilitate its incorporation in the management of metabolic syndrome
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