Honey as a Natural Antimicrobial
Honey, a natural product with a rich history of medicinal use, has gained increasing recognition for its potent antimicrobial properties, particularly against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This review focuses on the antimicrobial mechanisms of honey, including its efficacy against resistant bacter...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Antibiotics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/3/255 |
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| author | Matthew Chidozie Ogwu Sylvester Chibueze Izah |
| author_facet | Matthew Chidozie Ogwu Sylvester Chibueze Izah |
| author_sort | Matthew Chidozie Ogwu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Honey, a natural product with a rich history of medicinal use, has gained increasing recognition for its potent antimicrobial properties, particularly against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This review focuses on the antimicrobial mechanisms of honey, including its efficacy against resistant bacteria, such as Methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. The antimicrobial action of honey is multifactorial, involving hydrogen peroxide production, phenolic compounds, high sugar concentrations, and the presence of bee defensin-1. The composition of honey varies based on its floral source, which can influence its antimicrobial strength. Certain types, such as Manuka honey, are particularly effective in clinical applications due to their higher levels of bioactive compounds. Honey has also been shown to disrupt bacterial biofilms, a major factor in antibiotic resistance, enhancing its therapeutic potential in treating chronic wounds and infections, especially in patients with compromised immune systems. Moreover, honey’s ability to improve wound healing, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration highlights its broad therapeutic profile. As antibiotic resistance continues to challenge modern healthcare, honey offers a promising complementary treatment in antimicrobial therapy. Research into its specific bioactive components and potential synergistic effects with other natural agents, like ginger and propolis, could expand its applications. Standardizing honey products for medical use and establishing clinical guidelines are essential for optimizing its therapeutic benefits. As scientific understanding of honey’s antimicrobial mechanisms deepens, its integration into healthcare systems as an adjunct therapy is expected to increase, offering a natural and effective alternative in the fight against infectious diseases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7a2b40aca6af44c6a58e27dbad1fa411 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2079-6382 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antibiotics |
| spelling | doaj-art-7a2b40aca6af44c6a58e27dbad1fa4112025-08-20T02:42:38ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822025-03-0114325510.3390/antibiotics14030255Honey as a Natural AntimicrobialMatthew Chidozie Ogwu0Sylvester Chibueze Izah1Goodnight Family Department of Sustainable Development, Appalachian State University, 212 Living Learning Center, 305 Bodenheimer Drive, Boone, NC 28608, USADepartment of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa 569101, NigeriaHoney, a natural product with a rich history of medicinal use, has gained increasing recognition for its potent antimicrobial properties, particularly against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This review focuses on the antimicrobial mechanisms of honey, including its efficacy against resistant bacteria, such as Methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. The antimicrobial action of honey is multifactorial, involving hydrogen peroxide production, phenolic compounds, high sugar concentrations, and the presence of bee defensin-1. The composition of honey varies based on its floral source, which can influence its antimicrobial strength. Certain types, such as Manuka honey, are particularly effective in clinical applications due to their higher levels of bioactive compounds. Honey has also been shown to disrupt bacterial biofilms, a major factor in antibiotic resistance, enhancing its therapeutic potential in treating chronic wounds and infections, especially in patients with compromised immune systems. Moreover, honey’s ability to improve wound healing, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration highlights its broad therapeutic profile. As antibiotic resistance continues to challenge modern healthcare, honey offers a promising complementary treatment in antimicrobial therapy. Research into its specific bioactive components and potential synergistic effects with other natural agents, like ginger and propolis, could expand its applications. Standardizing honey products for medical use and establishing clinical guidelines are essential for optimizing its therapeutic benefits. As scientific understanding of honey’s antimicrobial mechanisms deepens, its integration into healthcare systems as an adjunct therapy is expected to increase, offering a natural and effective alternative in the fight against infectious diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/3/255honeyantimicrobial propertiesantibiotic resistancewound healingnatural remedies |
| spellingShingle | Matthew Chidozie Ogwu Sylvester Chibueze Izah Honey as a Natural Antimicrobial Antibiotics honey antimicrobial properties antibiotic resistance wound healing natural remedies |
| title | Honey as a Natural Antimicrobial |
| title_full | Honey as a Natural Antimicrobial |
| title_fullStr | Honey as a Natural Antimicrobial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Honey as a Natural Antimicrobial |
| title_short | Honey as a Natural Antimicrobial |
| title_sort | honey as a natural antimicrobial |
| topic | honey antimicrobial properties antibiotic resistance wound healing natural remedies |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/3/255 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT matthewchidozieogwu honeyasanaturalantimicrobial AT sylvesterchibuezeizah honeyasanaturalantimicrobial |