Journal of Apitherapy

www.ejmscience.com
DOI: 10.5455/ja.20160428110757
Review Article
Honey and its uses in oral diseases-An overview
Santosh R. Patil, Ravi Kumar Gudipaneni

College of Dentistry. Aljouf University,

Sakaka, Aljouf , Saudi Arabia
ABSTRACT
Recently, much attention has been given to natural products with health-promoting benefits. Historically, honey has been
Address for correspondence: used as an eco-friendly medicine for many years in the management of wounds, burns, ulcers, cardiovascular, dermatologic,
Dr. Santosh R. Patil, gastrointestinal and ocular disorders. Studies have shown that honey possesses potent broad-spectrum activities, like anti-
College of Dentistry. Aljouf University, inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antioxidant and even anti-cancer. In this overview various composition, properties
Sakaka, Aljouf , and application of honey has been described with specific relation to oral diseases.
Saudi Arabia.
[email protected]
Received: April 20, 2016
Accepted: April 22, 2016
Published: May 02, 2016 KEY WORDS: Apitherapy; Honey; Oral diseases

INTRODUCTION bee nourishes. In most ancient cultures, honey has been

used for both nutritional and medical purposes [3,4]. The
Honey is a secondary product of blossom nectar and
belief that honey is a nutrient, a drug and an ointment
the upper air digestive tract of the honey bee, which is
has been carried into our days, and thus, an alternative
concentrated through a parchedness process inside the
medicine branch, called apitherapy, has been developed
colony. Honey has an exceptionally complex compound
in recent years, offering treatments based on honey and
creation that changes contingent upon the organic source.
other bee products against many diseases including
It has been utilized both as sustenance and solution since
bacterial infections. At present a number of honeys are
antiquated times. Human utilization of Honey is followed
sold with standardized levels of antibacterial activity.
to somewhere in the range of 8000 years back as portrayed
The Leptospermum scoparium (L.scoparium) honey, the
by Stone Age depictions. Notwithstanding vital part of
best known of the honeys, has been reported to have an
regular Honey in the conventional pharmaceutical, amid
inhibitory effect on around 60 species of bacteria, including
the previous couple of decades, it was subjected to lab
aerobes and anaerobes, gram-positives and gram-negatives
and clinical examinations by a few exploration gatherings
[5].
and it has found a spot in present day drug. Honey has
been accounted for to inhibitorily affect around 60 types
APPLICATIONS OF HONEY IN ORAL DISEASES
of microscopic organisms, a few types of growths and
infections [1, 2]. Honey has had an esteemed spot in conventional
medication for quite a long time. Notwithstanding, it has a
COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES OF HONEY constrained use in present day solution because of absence
of logical bolster. For quite a while, it has been watched that
Cell reinforcement limit (antioxidant capacity) of honey is
nectar can be utilized to overcome liver, cardiovascular and
imperative in numerous illness conditions and is because
gastrointestinal issues. Old Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese,
of an extensive variety of mixes including phenolics,
Greeks and Romans utilized nectar for wounds and illnesses
peptides, natural acids, chemicals, and Maillard response
of the digestive system. Since a couple of decades back,
items. Honey has additionally been utilized as a part of
nectar was subjected to lab and clinical examinations by
some gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, incendiary and
a few exploration bunches. The most wonderful revelation
neoplastic states. Honey is a characteristic item that has
was antibacterial action of nectar that has been specified in
been generally utilized for its helpful impacts. It has been
various studies[6-10].
accounted for to contain around 200 substances. Nectar is
made principally out of fructose and glucose additionally The adequacy of honey is best when utilized at room
contains fructo-oligosaccharides and numerous amino temperature. Warming nectar to 80 degrees for 1 hour
acids, vitamins, minerals and compounds. The organization diminished antimicrobial action of honey. When honey was
of nectar differs relying upon the plants on which the honey stored for 5 years, its antimicrobial capacity was diminished,

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Patil & Gudipaneni: Therapeutic uses of honey

while UV light introduction expanded its action against Honey may give the premise to the advancement of novel
some of microorganisms. therapeutics for patients with malignancy and disease
related tumors. The instrument on how honey has anticancer
Description about honey was written in the Holy Quran
impact is a matter of extraordinary interest. Among the
more than 1400 years before that wherein is healing for systems proposed are restraint of cell multiplication,
people. “And your LORD inspired the bee, saying “Take actuation of apoptosis, and cell-cycle capture. Honey and
you habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in malignancy has feasible reverse relationship in the setting
what they erect. Then, eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of creating countries where assets for growth avoidance
of your LORD made easy (for you)”. There comes forth and treatment are restricted. It has been stated that with
from their bellies, a drink of varying color wherein is healing these properties honey may prove its role in prevention of
for men. Verily, it is indeed a sign for people who think oral cancer along with malignancies which effects different
(Sura Al-Nahl, Aya 69)” . Muhammad (PBUH) - the last body systems [16].
Prophet of Islam, prescribed the utilization of honey for the
treatment of diarrhea [11,12]. Honey additionally has been appeared to have antiviral
properties. In a similar study topical utilization of honey
Honey has been depicted in antiquated and present day was observed to be superior to anything acyclovir treatment
prescription as being successful in the recuperating of on patients with recurrent herpetic ulcers [17].
different contaminated injuries, there have been few reports
of its use in the recuperating of blazes, ulcers and open In vitro studies have shown that honey solution may affect
the monocyte activity and It was observed that mouth
wounds. it has been inferred that nectar is helpful in the
washes containing propolis (a resinous substance which
treatment of post surgical injuries that are contaminated
bees use for sealing of their combs ) possessed antimicrobial
and don’t react to customary systemic and nearby anti-
activity against Streptococcus mutans and can be used as
infection agents treatment. The huge volume of written
an alternative treatment in dental caries prevention and in
works reported the adequacy of nectar. It demonstrates
the reduction of plaque accumulation and polysaccharide
that it might possibly be helpful to treat periodontal formation. Recently it was reported that periodontal pockets
illnesses, mouth ulcers and different issues of oral health. irrigated with 10% propolis solution had a 95% decrease
Antimicrobial operators are basically vital in lessening the in gingivitis suggesting that subgingival irrigation with a
worldwide weight of irresistible ailments. In any case, as propolis extract as an adjunct to periodontal treatment
safe pathogens create and spread, the adequacy of the anti- and more effective than scaling and root planning as it
toxins is reduced. This type of bacterial imperviousness to improves the clinical parameters and reduce the load of P.
the antimicrobial specialists represents an intense danger gingivalis [18-20].
to general wellbeing, and for all sorts of anti-microbials,
including the significant final resort drugs, the frequencies Topical application of a propolis extract on oral Candida
of resistance are expanding worldwide [13-15]. albicans lesions resulted in remission within three weeks
and treatment efficacy was comparable to treatment with
Viability of honey in the treatment of oral ulcers and nystatin, the standard antifungal product used to treat
wounds has been reported in the literature. The information these infections [21].
unmistakably illustrate that with the utilization of honey,
no unfavorably susceptible response is evoked and no A study carried out on bicuspids for direct pulp capping also
showed that propolis was as effective as calcium hydroxide.
critical reactions were accounted for. Notwithstanding
Based on these observations it has been concluded that
its important wholesome constituents, nectar has calming
propolis can be used along with calcium hydroxide as an
and cell reinforcement exercises that make it a reasonable
intra-canal treatment [22].
normal subject for recuperating oral ulcers.
A research carried on bacterial isolates which were obtained
The counter bacterial, mitigating or hostile to oxidant,
from subjects undergoing orthodontic therapy revealed
and dietary and physical properties of characteristic nectar, that the honey was a more effective than other antibiotics
makes it an acceptable agent to enhance healing of oral tested, further suggesting that honey may reduce dental
ulcers. Honey adsorbs potential noxious agents from the plaque formation and aid in controlling gingivitis associated
mucous film, accelerate protein precipitation, so the with orthodontic procedures [23].
discharge and incendiary exudates are adsorbed by the
regular nectar, along these lines ensuring the basic tissues
and improved typical recuperating and the epithelialization.
ADVERSE EFFECTS OF HONEY
Sticky gooey properties of the regular honey, empowers it Honey is moderately free of antagonistic impacts. Topical
stick to the ulcer. This instrument for covering the ulcer use of honey may prompt transient stinging sensation.
keeps it from optional contamination, also, keeps ulcer Else it is portrayed in various structures as mitigating,
surface from direct correspondence from various chemicals diminishing agony, to be non-chafing and an easy dressing
and organisms. No unfavorably susceptible mucosal change. Hypersensitivity to honey is uncommon, yet there
response or poisonous impacts have been noted with usage could be an unfavorably susceptible response to either
of honey [12]. dust or honey bee proteins in it. Exorbitant use of honey

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Patil & Gudipaneni: Therapeutic uses of honey

may prompt parchedness of tissues which can however be 23. Patel R, Thaker V, Patel V, Shukla P, Bhatnagar P, Patel A. In-
vitro study of changing antibiotic sensitivity and resistance by
restored by saline packs. Hypothetical danger of ascend honey on gingival inflammation during orthodontic treatment-a
in blood glucose levels may dependably be there when preliminary report. Orthodontic Cyber J. 2010:3–8.
connected to extensive open injury in diabetics [12].

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