In this paper, we assess the antiviral properties of honey solutions and thyme extracts at varying concentrations. This was done by testing these solutions in vitro using monkey kidney cell cultures that were infected with the Rubella virus. Our results indicated that honey had good anti-Rubella activity, while thyme did not. These results may justify the continuing use of honey in traditional medicines from different ethnic communities worldwide and in some modern medications such as cough syrups.

The treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is difficult in both the old and new worlds. However, nitric oxide (NO) is involved in host cell mediated immune responses against intracellular parasites such as Leishmania major, and both in vitro and in vivo immunological studies indicate that Leishmania parasite killing by macrophages is mediated by this substance. Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is an exogenous NO donor; we have successfully treated a young man with cutaneous leishmaniasis with topical GTN. We believe this to be the first reported use of GTN in the treatment of human CL.

The activities of honey dilutions were investigated against three species of leishmania. The results were compared with the effects of the same concentrations of sugar. Honey and sugar both have anti-leishmanial effects in vitro, but our results indicated that honey is superior to sugar.