Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of honey

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Food Research and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Honey is a natural product produced by bees and has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal agent and dietary supplement. It is known to cure a wide variety of ailments and can be used as a potent anti-inflammatory and wound healing agent. These vital bioactivities of honey are far less well known than its antibacterial, antioxidant, and any other biological activities. Many clinical trials have been reported and revealed that, when honey is applied to wound, there is a decrease in inflammation and will have a soothing effect. There is much evidence for the anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects of honey in terms of publications in modern medical and scientific journals. The exact mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity and wound healing property of honey has yet to be demonstrated. Possibly there are several mechanisms of action. There are also some reports where honey exerts negligible side effects. The article focuses on the components of honey involved in its anti-inflammatory effect, possible mechanism of action, properties of honey responsible for its wound healing activity, and its adverse effects. Overall the review presents the evidence and explanation for the anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of honey.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Cooper R, Gray D (2012) Is manuka honey a credible alternative to silver in wound care? Wounds UK 8:54–64

    Google Scholar 

  2. Fatemeh SR, Akram B, Amir AZ, Younes S (2014) The effect of honey-impregnated human placenta membrane on burn wound healing in rat. Comp Clin Pathol. doi:10.1007/s00580-014-1887-9

    Google Scholar 

  3. Thomas KE (2014) Honey in the treatment of periodontitis. Int J Pharm Bio Sci 5:B315–B318

    Google Scholar 

  4. Gheldof N, Engeseth NJ (2002) Antioxidant capacity of honeys from various floral sources based on the determination of oxygen radical absorbance capacity and inhibition of in vitro lipoprotein oxidation in human serum samples. J Agric Food Chem 50:3050–3055

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Lansing P, John PH, Donald AK (1999) Microbiology, 4th Edition, International edn. WCB/McGraw-Hill, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  6. Shapiro RL, Hatheway C, Swerdflow DL (1998) Botulism in the United States: a clinical and epidemiologic review. Ann Intern Med 129:221–228

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Effendy NM, Mohamed N, Muhammad N, Mohamad IN, Shuid AN (2012) The effects of tualang honey on bone metabolism of postmenopausal women. Evid-Based Compl Alt Med Article ID 938574, 7 pages, doi:10.1155/2012/938574

  8. Ahmed S, Othman NH (2013) Review of the medicinal effects of tualang honey and a comparison with manuka honey. Malays J Med Sci 20:6–13

    Google Scholar 

  9. Markovic V, Nikolic I, Binjovic V (2012) Biološka aktivnost i medicinska upotreba meda (Biological activity and medical use of honey). Medicinski Casopis 46:221–226

    Google Scholar 

  10. Patel DK, Patel K, Gadewar M, Tahilyani V (2012) Pharmacological and bioanalytical aspects of galangin-a concise report. Asian Pac J Tropical Biomed 2:S449–S455

    Google Scholar 

  11. Eteraf-Oskouei T, Najafi M (2013) Traditional and modern uses of natural honey in Human diseases: a review. Iran J Basic Med Sci 16:731–742

    Google Scholar 

  12. Stewart JA, McGrane OL, Wedmore IS (2014) Wound care in the wilderness: is there evidence for honey? Wilder Environ Med 25:103–110

    Google Scholar 

  13. Jull AB, Walker N, Deshpande S (2013) Honey as a topical treatment for wounds Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2. doi:10.1002/14651858CD005083pub3

  14. Vandamme L, Heyneman A, Hoeksema H, Verbelen J, Monstrey S (2013) Honey in modern wound care: a systematic review. Burns 39:1514–1525

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Ferrero ML, Nielsen OH, Andersen PS, Girardin SE (2007) Chronic inflammation: importance of NOD2 and NALP3 in interleukin-1beta generation. Cli Exp Immunol 147:227–235

    Google Scholar 

  16. Menke NB, Ward KR, Witten TM, Bonchev DG, Diegelmann RF (2007) Impaired wound healing. Clin Dermatol 25:19–25

    Google Scholar 

  17. Flynn JL, Goldstein MM, Chan J, Triebold KJ, Pfeffer K, Lowenstein CJ, Schreiber R, Mark TW, Bloom BR (1995) Tumor necrosis factor-α is required in the protective immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mice. Immunity 2:561–572

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Kingsley A (2002) Wound healing and potential therapeutic options. Prof Nurse 17:539–544

    Google Scholar 

  19. Martos I, Ferreres F, Yao L, D’Arcy B, Caffin N, Tomas-Barberan FA (2000) Flavonoids in monospecific Eucalyptus honeys from Australia. J Agric Food Chem 48:4744–4748

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Benhanifia MB, Boukraâ L, Hammoudi SM, Sulaiman SA, Manivannan L (2011) Recent patents on topical application of honey in wound and burn management. Recent Pat Inflam Aller Drug Disc 5:81–86

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Song JJ, Salcido R (2011) Use of honey in wound care: an update. Adv Skin Wound Care 24:40–44

    Google Scholar 

  22. Efem S (1993) Recent advances in the management of Fournier’s gangrene: preliminary observations. Surgery 113:200–204

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Subrahmanyam M (1996) Honey dressing versus boiled potato peel in the treatment of burns: a prospective randomized study. Burns 22:491–493

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Subrahmanyam M (1998) A prospective randomised clinical and histological study of superficial burn wound healing with honey and silver sulfadiazine. Burns 24:157–161

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Subrahmanyam M (1993) Honey-impregnated gauze versus polyurethane film (OpSite®) in the treatment of burns-a prospective randomised study. Br J Plast Surg 46:322–323

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Al-Waili Haq A (2004) Effect of honey on antibody production against thymus-dependent and thymus-independent antigens in primary and secondary immune responses. J Med Food 7:491–494

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Alcaraz A, Kelly J (2002) Treatment of an infected venous leg ulcer with honey dressings. Br J Nurs 11:859–860

    Google Scholar 

  28. Ahmed AK, Hoekstra MJ, Hage JJ, Karim BB (2003) Honey-medicated dressing: transformation of an ancient remedy into modern therapy. Ann Plast Surg 50:143–148

    Google Scholar 

  29. Al-Waili NS, Saloom KY (1999) Effects of topical honey on post-operative wound infections due to gram positive and gram negative bacteria following caesarean sections and hysterectomies. Eur J Med Res 4:126–130

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Dunford C, Cooper R, Molan PC (2000) Using honey as a dressing for infected skin lesions. Nurs Times 96(14):7–9

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Dunford C, Cooper R, Molan PC, White R (2000) The use of honey in wound management. Nurs Stand 15:63–68

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Oryan A, Zaker SR (1998) Effects of topical application of honey on cutaneous wound healing in rabbits. J Vet Med Series A 45:181–188

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Esmon CT (2004) Crosstalk between inflammation and thrombosis. Maturitas 47:305–314

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Al-Waili NS, Boni NS (2003) Natural honey lowers plasma prostaglandin concentrations in normal individuals. J Med Food 6:129–133

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Molan PC (1999) The role of honey in the management of wounds. J Wound Care 8:415–418

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Alzubier AA, Okechukwu PN (2011) Investigation of anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effect of yemeni sidr honey. World Aca Sci Eng Tech 80:47–52

    Google Scholar 

  37. Kassim M, Mansor M, Al-Abd N, Yusoff KM (2012) Gelam honey has a protective effect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced organ failure. Intl J Mol Sci 13:6370–6381

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Kassim M, Mansor M, Suhaimi A, Ong G, Yusoff KM (2012) Gelam honey scavenges peroxynitrite during the immune response. Intl J Mol Sci 13:12113–12129

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Keenan JI, Salm N, Wallace AJ, Hampton MB (2012) Using food to reduce H pylori-associated inflammation. Phytother Res 26:1620–1625

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Prakash A, Medhi B, Avti PK, Saikia UN (2008) Effect of different doses of manuka honey in experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in rats. Phytother Res 22:1511–1519

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Karuppannan B, Embong Z, Shaharuddin B, Siti AS, Sirajudeen KNS, Venkatesh N (2011) Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Tualang honey in alkali injury on the eyes of rabbits: experimental animal study. BMC Compl Alt Med 11:90–101

    Google Scholar 

  42. Nasuti C, Gabbianelli R, Falcioni G, Cantalamessa F (2006) Antioxidative and gastroprotective activities of anti: inflammatory formulations derived from chestnut honey in rats. Nutr Res 26:130–137

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. van den Berg A, van den Worm E, van Ufford HC, Halkes SB, Hoekstra MJ, Beukelman CJ (2008) An in vitro examination of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of buckwheat honey. J Wound Care 17:172–178

    Google Scholar 

  44. Kassim M, Yusoff KM, Ong G, Sekaran S, Yusof MYBM, Mansor M (2012) Gelam honey inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia in rats through the induction of heme oxygenase-1 and the inhibition of cytokines, nitric oxide, and high-mobility group protein B1. Fitoterapia 83:1054–1059

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Liu JR, Ye YL, Lin TY, Wang YW, Peng CC (2013) Effect of floral sources on the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities of honeys in Taiwan. Food Chem 139:938–943

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Chepulis LM, Francis E (2012) An initial investigation into the anti inflammatory activity and antioxidant capacity of alpha-cyclodextrin-complexed manuka honey. J Compl Integrat Med (Article 25) 9:1–14

  47. Song J–J, Lim HW, Kim K, Kim K-M, Cho S, Chae S-W (2012) Effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on H2O2 induced oxidative and inflammatory responses in human middle ear epithelial cells. Intl J Pediatric Otorhinolaryngol 76:675–679

    Google Scholar 

  48. Al-Malki1 AL, Sayed AAR (2013) Bees’ honey attenuation of metanil-yellow-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Evid-Based Compl Alt Med Article ID 614580, 9 pages doi:10.1155/2013/614580

  49. Ahmad A, Khan RA, Mesaik MA (2009) Anti-inflammatory effect of natural honey on bovine thrombin-induced oxidative burst in phagocytes. Phytother Res 23:801–808

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Zare A, Ahmadi M, Hedayat A (2007) Study on anti-inflammatory effect of subcutaneous honey bee venom injection and dermal application of cream containing honey bee venom in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. Arch Razi Inst 62:223–227

    Google Scholar 

  51. Gao HM, Hong JS (2008) Why neurodegenerative diseases are progressive: uncontrolled inflammation drives disease progression. Trends Immunol 29:357–365

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Lull ME, Block ML (2010) Microglial activation and chronic neurodegeneration. Neurotherapeutics 7:354–365

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Candiracci M, Piatti E, Barragán MD, Antrás DGB, Morgado D, Ruano JF, Gutiérrez J, Parrado J, Castaño A (2012) Anti-inflammatory activity of a honey flavonoid extract on lipopolysaccharide-activated N13 microglial cells. J Agric Food Chem 60:12304–12311

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Bean A (2012) Thesis: investigating the anti-inflammatory activity of honey

  55. Kassim M, Achoui M, Mansor M, Yusoff KM (2010) The inhibitory effects of Gelam honey and its extracts on nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 in inflammatory tissues. Fitoterapia 81:1196–1201

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Reth M (2002) Hydrogen peroxide as second messenger in lymphocyte activation. Nat Immunol 3:1129–1134

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Reichner JS, Meszaros AJ, Louis CA, Henry WL Jr, Mastrofrancesco B, Martin BA, Albina JE (1999) Molecular and metabolic evidence for the restricted expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in healing wounds. Am J Pathol 154:1097–1104

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Tonks A, Cooper R, Price AJ, Molan PC, Jones KP (2001) Stimulation of TNF-alpha release in monocytes by honey. Cytokine 14:240–242

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Kassim M, Achoui M, Mustafa MR, Mohd MA (2010) Ellagic acid, phenolic acids, and flavonoids in Malaysian honey extracts demonstrate in vitro anti–inflammatory activity. Nutr Res 30:650–659

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Henriques A, Jackson S, Cooper R, Burton N (2006) Free radical production and quenching in honeys with wound healing potential. J Antimicrob Chemother 58:773–777

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Mesaik MA, Azim MK, Mohiuddin S (2008) Honey modulates oxidative burst of professional phagocytes. Phytother Res 22:1404–1408

    Google Scholar 

  62. Molan PC (2011) The evidence and the rationale for the use of honey as a wound dressing. Wound Pract Res 19:204–220

    Google Scholar 

  63. Leong AG, Herst PM, Harper JL (2012) Indigenous New Zealand honeys exhibit multiple anti-inflammatory activities. Innate Immun 18:459–466

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Hussein SZ, Mohd Yusoff K, Makpol S, Mohd Yusof YA (2012) Gelam honey inhibits the production of proinflammatory, mediators NO, PGE(2), TNF-α, and IL-6 in carrageenan-induced acute paw edema in rats. Evid Based Compl Alt Med (Article ID 109636), 1–12

  65. Majtan J, Bohova J, Garcia-Villalba R, Tomas-Barberan FA, Madakova Z, Majtan T, Majtan V, Klaudiny J (2013) Fir honeydew honey flavonoids inhibit TNF-a-induced MMP-9 expression in human keratinocytes: a new action of honey in wound healing. Arch Dermatol Res 305:619–627

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Bashkaran K, Zunaina E, Bakiah S, Sulaiman SA, Sirajudeen K, Naik V (2011) Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Tualang honey in alkali injury on the eyes of rabbits: experimental animal study. BMC Compl Alt Med 11:90

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Ha SK, Moon E, Kim SY (2010) Chrysin suppresses LPS-stimulated proinflammatory responses by blocking NF-kB and JNK activations in microglia cells. Neurosci Lett 485:143–147

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Woo KJ, Jeong YJ, Inoue H, Park JW, Kwon TK (2005) Chrisin suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced cycloooxygenase-2 expression through the inhibition of nuclear factor for IL-6 (NF-IL-6) DNA-binding activity. FEBS Lett 579:705–711

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Palmieri D, Perego P, Palombo D (2012) Apigenin inhibits the TNFa-induced expression of eNOS and MMP-9 via modulating Akt signalling through oestrogen receptor engagement. Mol Cell Biochem 371:129–136

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Yang H, Liu Q, Ahn JH, Kim SB, Kim YC, Sung SH, Hwang BY, Lee MK (2012) Luteolin down regulates IL-1b-induced MMP-9 and -13 expressions in osteoblasts via inhibition of ERK signaling pathway. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 27:261–266

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Li DL, Zheng QC, Fang XX, Ji HT, Yang JG, Zhang HX (2009) Theoretical study on potency and selectivity of novel nonpeptide inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. J Theor Comp Chem 8:491–506

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Barbosa NS, Kalaaji AN (2014) CAM use in dermatology Is there a potential role for honey, green tea, and vitamin C? Complement Ther Clin Pract 20:11–15

    Google Scholar 

  73. Knottenbelt DC (2014) Honey in wound management: myth, mystery, magic or marvel? Vet J 199:5–6

    Google Scholar 

  74. Carnwath R, Graham EM, Reynolds K, Pollock PJ (2014) The antimicrobial activity of honey against common equine wound bacterial isolates. Vet J 199:110–114

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Mohamed H, El Lenjawi B, Salma MA, Abdi S (2014) Honey based therapy for the management of a recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcer. J Tissue Viability 23:29–33

    Google Scholar 

  76. Nicoara CD, Singh M, Jester I, Reda B, Parikh DH (2014) Medicated Manuka honey in conservative management of exomphalos major. Pediatr Surg Intl 30:515–520

    Google Scholar 

  77. Kingsley A (2001) The use of honey in the treatment of infected wounds: case studies. Br J Nurs 10:s13–s20

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Nychas GJ, Dillon VM, Board RG (1988) Glucose, the key substrate in the microbiological changes in meat and certain meat products. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 10:203–231

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Natarajan S, Williamson D, Grey J, Harding KG, Cooper RA (2001) Healing of an MRSA-colonised, hydroxyurea-induced leg ulcer with honey. J Dermatol Treat 12:33–36

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Evans J, Mahoney K (2013) Efficacy of medical-grade honey as an autolytic debridement agent. Wounds UK 9:30–36

    Google Scholar 

  81. Cullen B, Smith R, McCulloch E, Silcock D, Morrison L (2002) Mechanism of action of PROMOGRAN, a protease modulating matrix, for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Wound Repair Regen 10:16–25

    Google Scholar 

  82. Edwards JV, Howley P, Cohen IK (2004) In vitro inhibition of human neutrophil elastase by oleic acid albumin formulations from derivatized cotton wound dressings. Intl J Pharmacol 284:1–12

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Maghsoudi H, Moradi S (2014) Honey: a skin graft fixator convenient for both patient and surgeon. Indian J Surg. doi:10.1007/s12262-014-1039-0

    Google Scholar 

  84. Terrab A, Gonzalez AG, Diez MJ, Heredia FJ (2003) Characterisation of Moroccan unifloral honeys using multivariate analysis. Eur Food Res Tech 218:88–95

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Weston JS (2002) Treatment of gram-positive infections: past, present, and future. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am 14:17–29

    Google Scholar 

  86. Bang LM, Buntting C, Molan PC (2003) The effect of dilution on the rate of hydrogen peroxide production in honey and its implications for wound healing. J Alt Compl Med 9:267–273

    Google Scholar 

  87. Adams CJ, Boult CH, Deadman BJ, Farr JM, Grainger MNC, Manley-Harris M, Snow MJ (2008) Isolation by HPLC and characterisation of the bioactive fraction of New Zealand manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) honey. Carbohydr Res 343:651–659

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Mavric E, Wittmann S, Barth G, Henle T (2008) Identification and quantification of methylglyoxal as the dominant antibacterial constituent of Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) honey from New Zealand. Mol Nutr Food Res 52:483–489

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Antinelli JF, Zeggane S, Dav IR, Rognone C, Faucon JP, Lizzani L (2003) Evaluation of (E)-10-hydroxy dec-2-enoic acid as a freshness parameter for royal jelly. Food Chem 80:85–89

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Boselli E, Caboni MF, Sabatini AG, Marcazzan GL, Lercker G (2003) Determination and changes of free amino acids in royal jelly during storage. Apidologie 34:129–137

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Simuth J (2001) Some properties of the main protein of honeybee (Apis mellifera) royal jelly. Apidologie 32:69–80

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Albert S, Klaudiny J (2004) The MRJP/YELLOW protein family of Apis mellifera: identification of new members in the EST library. J Insect Physiol 50:51–59

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  93. Keizo K, Iwao O, Osamu S, Norie A, Kanso I, Masao I, Masashi K (2004) Royal jelly inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines by activated macrophages. Biosci Biotech Biochem 68:138–145

    Google Scholar 

  94. Majtan J, Kovacova E, Bilikova K, Simuth J (2006) The immunostimulatory effect of the recombinant apalbumin 1-major honeybee royal jelly protein-on TNFalpha release. Intl Immunopharmacol 6:269–278

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  95. Nagai T, Inoue R (2004) Preparation and the functional properties of water extract and alkaline extract of royal jelly. Food Chem 84:181–186

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Mohamed FR, Ahmed AG (2012) Bioactive compounds and health-promoting properties of royal jelly: a review. J Funct Foods 4:39–52

    Google Scholar 

  97. Gheldof N, Wang XH, Engeseth NJ (2003) Buckwheat honey increases serum antioxidant capacity in humans. J Agric Food Chem 51:1500–1505

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. Schramm DD, Karim M, Schrader HR, Holt RR, Cardetti M, Keen CL (2003) Honey with high levels of antioxidants can provide protection to healthy human subjects. J Agric Food Chem 51:1732–1735

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  99. Buntting C (2001) Thesis the production of hydrogen peroxide by honey and its relevance to wound healing. University of Waikato, New Zealand

    Google Scholar 

  100. Grimble GF (1994) Nutritional antioxidants and the modulation of inflammation: theory and practice. New Horiz 2:175–185

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  101. Murrell GAC, Francis MJO, Bromley L (1990) Modulation of fibroblast proliferation by oxygen free radicals. Biochem J 265:659–665

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Schreck R, Rieber P, Baeuerle PA (1991) Reactive oxygen intermediates as apparently widely used messengers in the activation of the NF-kappa B transcription factor and HIV-1. EMBO J 10:2247–2258

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  103. Tanaka H, Hanumadass M, Matsuda H, Shimazaki S, Walter RJ, Matsuda T (1995) Hemodynamic effects of delayed initiation of antioxidant therapy (beginning two hours after burn) in extensive third-degree burns. J Burn Care Rehabil 16:610–615

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  104. Kilicoglu B, Gencay C, Kismet K, Serin KS, Erguder I, Erel S, Sunay AE, Erdemli E, Durak I, Akkus MA (2008) The ultrastructural research of liver in experimental obstructive jaundice and effect of honey. Am J Surg 195:249–256

    Google Scholar 

  105. Korkmaz A, Kolankaya D (2009) Anzer honey prevents N-ethylmaleimide-induced liver damage in rats. Exp Toxicol Pathol 61:333–337

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  106. Peake JM, Suzuki K, Coombes JS (2007) The influence of antioxidant supplementation on markers of inflammation and the relationship to oxidative stress after exercise. J Nutr Biochem 18:357–371

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  107. Bilsel Y, Bugra D, Yamaner S, Bulut T, Cevikbas U, Turkoglu U (2002) Could honey have a place in colitis therapy? Effects of honey, prednisolone and disulfiram on inflammation, nitric oxide and free radical formation. Digest Surg 19:306–311

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  108. Owoyele BV, Adenekan OT, Soladoye AO (2011) Effects of honey on inflammation and nitric oxide production in Wistar rats. J Chin Integr Med 9:447–452

    Google Scholar 

  109. Erejuwa OO, Sulaiman SA, Ab Wahab MS (2012) Honey: a novel antioxidant. Molecules 17:4400–4423

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  110. Lusby PE, Combes AL, Wilkinson JM (2002) Honey: a potential agent for wound healing? J WOCN 29:296–300

    Google Scholar 

  111. Irish J, Blair S, Carter DA (2011) The antibacterial activity of honey derived from Australian flora. PLoS ONE 6:e18229

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  112. Brudzynski K (2006) Effect of hydrogen peroxide on antibacterial activities of Canadian honeys. Can J Microbiol 52:1228–1237

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  113. Mundo MA, Padilla-Zakour OI, Worobo RW (2004) Growth inhibition of food borne pathogens and food spoilage organisms by select raw honeys. Intl J Food Microbiol 97:1–8

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  114. Taormina PI, Niemira BA, Beuchat LR (2001) Inhibitory activity of honey against food borne pathogens as influenced by the presence of hydrogen peroxide and level of antioxidant power. Intl J Food Microbiol 69:217–225

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  115. Aljadi AM, Yusoff KM (2003) Isolation and identification of phenolic acids in Malaysian honey with antibacterial properties. Turkish J Med Sc 33:229–236

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  116. Brudzynski K, Miotto D (2011) Honey melanoidins: analysis of a composition of the high molecular weight melanoidin fractions exhibiting radical scavenging capacity. Food Chem 127:1023–1030

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  117. Kwakman PHS, de Boer L, Ruyter-Spira CP, Creemers-Molenaar T, Helsper LPFG, Vandenbroucke-Grauls CMJE (2011) Medical-grade honey enriched with antimicrobial peptide has enhanced activity against antibiotic resistant pathogens. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 30:251–257

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  118. Brudzynski K, Abubaker K, Miotto D (2012) Unraveling a mechanism of honey antibacterial action: polyphenol/H2O2-induced oxidative effect on bacterial cell growth and on DNA degradation. Food Chem 133:329–336

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  119. Tatnall FM, Leigh IM, Gibson JR (1991) Assay of antiseptic agents in cell culture: conditions affecting cytotoxicity. J Hosp Infect 17:287–296

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  120. Poon VK, Burd A (2004) In vitro cytotoxity of silver: implication for clinical wound care. Burns 30:140–147

    Google Scholar 

  121. Al-Swayeh OA, Ali ATM (1998) Effect of ablation of capsaicin-sensitive neurons on gastric protection by honey and sucralfate. Hepato-Gastroenterol 45:297–302

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  122. Oluwatosin OM, Olabanji JK, Oluwatosin OA, Tijani LA, Onyechi HU (2000) A comparison of topical honey and phenytoin in the treatment of chronic leg ulcers. Afr J Med Sci 29:31–34

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  123. Misirlioglu A, Eroglu S, Karacaoglan N, Akan M, Akoz T, Yildirim S (2003) Use of honey as an adjunct in the healing of split-thickness skin graft donor site. Dermatol Surg 29:168–172

    Google Scholar 

  124. Molan PC (2006) The evidence supporting the use of honey as a wound dressing. Intl J Low Extrem Wounds 5:40–54

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  125. Al-Waili N (2005) Mixture of honey, beeswax and olive oil inhibits growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Arch Med Res 36:10–13

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  126. Dunford CE, Hanano R (2004) Acceptability to patients of a honey dressing for non-healing venous leg ulcers. J Wound Care 13:193–197

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  127. Caya JG, Agni R, Miller JE (2004) Clostridium botulinum and the clinical laboratorian: a detailed review of botulism, including biological warfare ramifications of botulinum toxin. Arch Pathol Lab Med 128:653–662

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  128. Arnon SS, Midura TF, Damus K, Thompson B, Wood RM, Chin J (1979) Honey and other environmental risk factors for infant botulism. J Pediatr 94:331–336

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

None.

Compliance with Ethics Requirements

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Metabolite Profiling Laboratory, Institute of Bioproduct Development, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, UTM, Skudai, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

    Manjunatha Devagondanahalli Hadagali & Lee Suan Chua

Authors
  1. Manjunatha Devagondanahalli Hadagali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lee Suan Chua
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Manjunatha Devagondanahalli Hadagali.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hadagali, M.D., Chua, L.S. The anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of honey. Eur Food Res Technol 239, 1003–1014 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-014-2297-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-014-2297-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation