Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abuelgasim, Hibatullah; Albury, Charlotte; Lee, Joseph

doi:10.1136/bmjebm-2020-111336

Cited by 58 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…A recent systematic review and meta-analysis showed that honey was superior to usual care for improving upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). It was also more effective than antibiotics when prescribed to reduce the spread of anti-microbial resistance in URTIs [ 2 ]. Honey exhibited superior effects compared with conventional treatments for acute wounds, superficial partial-thickness burns and infected post-operative wounds [ 3 , 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physicochemical and Medicinal Properties of Tualang, Gelam and Kelulut Honeys: A Comprehensive Review

et al. 2021

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Tualang, Gelam and Kelulut honeys are tropical rainforest honeys reported to have various medicinal properties. Studies related to the medicinal properties and physicochemical characteristics of these honeys are growing extensively and receiving increased attention. This review incorporated and analysed the findings on the biological and physicochemical properties of these honeys. Tualang, Gelam and Kelulut honeys were found to possess a wide variety of biological effects attributed to their physicochemical characteristics. Findings revealed that these honeys have anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties and effects on the cardiovascular system, nervous system and reproductive system. The physicochemical properties of these honeys were compared and discussed and results showed that they have high-quality contents and excellent antioxidant sources.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physicochemical and Medicinal Properties of Tualang, Gelam and Kelulut Honeys: A Comprehensive Review

et al. 2021

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“…However, despite the many hypotheses on the mechanisms for the numerous beneficial effects, honey's full potential has started to be unlocked only recently, with more comprehensive characterisations of its physicochemical composition (as described in Section 2 of this paper), and the further investigation of the medical activity of natural bioactive compounds also found in honey [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Honey has been shown to possess beneficial properties with diverse applications in otorhinolaryngology [16,17], respiratory tract diseases [18,19], cardiovascular diseases [20][21][22], metabolic disorders [23][24][25][26], oncology [27,28]. However, the focus of this review is on the use of honey in the management and treatment of skin disease and in particular wounds of various natures, exploring the possible mechanisms by which honey may enhance skin regeneration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Rediscovery of Honey for Skin Repair: Recent Advances in Mechanisms for Honey-Mediated Wound Healing and Scaffolded Application Techniques

2021

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Honey is a honey-bee product obtained mainly by the enzymatic processing of nectar from a variety of plants, which leads to the wide range of colours and flavours available on the market. These organoleptic and nutritional features are influenced by the chemical composition, which in turn depends on the botanical origin. Bioactive compounds account for honey beneficial activity in medical applications, which explains the extensive use of honey in ethno-pharmacology since antiquity, from cough remedies to dermatological treatments. Wound healing is one of the main therapeutic uses of honey, and various design options in pharmaceutical technology such as smart delivery systems and advanced dressings are currently being developed to potentiate honey’s valuable properties for better performance and improved final outcome. In this review, we will focus on the latest research that discloses crucial factors in determining what properties are most beneficial when considering honey as a medicinal product. We will present the most recent updates on the possible mechanisms responsible for the exceptional effects of this ageless therapeutical remedy on skin repair. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art in application techniques (incorporation into scaffolds as an alternative to direct administration) used to enhance honey-mediated wound-healing properties are explored.

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“…Other relevant investigations expressed that honey might have antitussive properties with no side effects (Mulholland and Chang, 2009;Werner and Laccourreye, 2011). In a recent study on upper respiratory tract infections, honey has shown higher therapeutic effects than usual care (Abuelgasim et al, 2021). Besides, a Cochrane systematic review has suggested that honey may have better effects than diphenhydramine on suppression of children's cough (Oduwole et al, 2018).…”

Section: Morabbamentioning

confidence: 99%

Potentials of Antitussive Traditional Persian Functional Foods for COVID-19 Therapy†

et al. 2021

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Coronavirus disease 2019 is a worldwide pandemic resulting in a severe acute respiratory syndrome. Remdesivir is the only FDA-approved drug for hospitalized patients older than age 12. It shows the necessity of finding new therapeutic strategies. Functional foods (FFs) could have co-therapeutic and protective effects against COVID-19 infection. Traditional Persian medicine (TPM), one of the safest and most popular schools of medicine for hundreds of years, has recommended potential FF candidates to manage such a global pandemic. To reveal the potential of TPM in terms of antitussive FFs, traditional Persian pharmacopoeia “Qarabadin-e-Salehi” was searched using the keywords “Soaal” and “Sorfeh.” Also, a search of MEDLINE, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, and Science Direct was performed for the relevant literature published from the inception up to March 2021. A combination of search terms including “cough, antitussive, antioxidant, anti-inflammation, antiviral, COVID-19, mucoactive, mucolytic, expectorant, and mucoregulatory” was also applied. The potential mechanism of action in SARS-CoV-2 infection was discussed. Twelve TPM FFs were found including Laooqs, Morabbas, a Saviq, a soup, and a syrup. They are combinations of two to seven ingredients. Natural compounds of mentioned formulations have the main pharmacological mechanisms including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihistamine, bronchodilator, immunomodulatory, and mucoactive effects as well as central or peripheral antitussive activities. FFs are cost-effective, easily accessible, and safe options for both treatment and prevention of COVID-19. They might have positive psychological effects along with their pharmacological effects and nutritional virtues. They could also manage persistent respiratory discomforts after recovery from COVID-19.

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Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 58 publications

References 24 publications

Physicochemical and Medicinal Properties of Tualang, Gelam and Kelulut Honeys: A Comprehensive Review

Physicochemical and Medicinal Properties of Tualang, Gelam and Kelulut Honeys: A Comprehensive Review

The Rediscovery of Honey for Skin Repair: Recent Advances in Mechanisms for Honey-Mediated Wound Healing and Scaffolded Application Techniques

Potentials of Antitussive Traditional Persian Functional Foods for COVID-19 Therapy†

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