A Mechanistic Perspective on Chemopreventive and Therapeutic Potential of Phytochemicals in Honey

Honey is naturally obtained from honeybees. Honey is well-known for its therapeutic and nutritional values since ancient times. It has been used for treating infectious diseases for ages. It contains various chemical constituents such as carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins, phenols, and flavonoids. Phenolic and flavonoid contents of honey are very well-known for various biological and clinical applications. Honey is used for therapeutic purposes like wound healing, skin disinfection, ulcers, asthma, cancer, eye diseases, fungal infections, etc. It is very sensitive to heat and light which may diminish its therapeutic benefits. Its physicochemical properties like acidity, high level of glucose, peroxide content, etc. are responsible for its pharmacological actions. Honey shows antioxidant and immune-boosting ability by preventing lipid peroxidation and inhibiting the generation of oxidative stress. In this book chapter, we have described all the major studies conducted for supporting the health benefits of honey such as wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, antidiabetic, neurological disorders, nephroprotective, cardioprotective, and gastroprotective agent.