An overview on therapeutic applications of honey in contemporary medicine

Abstract

Honey has been utilized since antiquity for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Although fructose and glucose make up the majority of honey, it also contains fructo-oligosaccharides, several amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. The plants that bees feed on determine the content of honey. Flavonoids, phenolic acids, ascorbic acid, tocopherols, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), Millard reaction products, and peptides are found in practically natural honey, though. The components of honey have been documented to demonstrate antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anticancer, and antimetastatic properties. Many evidences suggest the use of honey in the control and treatment of wounds, diabetes mellitus, cancer, asthma, and also cardiovascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal diseases. Honey has a potential therapeutic role in the treatment of disease by phytochemical, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. The study aims to explore the non-conventional functions of honey and also the therapeutic potential of in alleviating various diseases.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.65525/SVUP.9788199565425.2026.152-168