Friday, March 20, 2015

Honey Effective as Antiprotozoal Agent

Protective properties of honey are frequently understated. This study found Ziziphus honey  outperformed a leading antibiotic in eliminating a common parasite. A very important result, especially in developing countries where water supplies aren't reliable. In fact, Giardiasis is the most common pathogenic parasitic infection in humans worldwide.

Antigiardial activity of glycoproteins and glycopeptides from Ziziphus honey
Nat Prod Res. 2015 Jan 14:1-3

Natural honey contains an array of glycoproteins, proteoglycans and glycopeptides. Size-exclusion chromatography fractionated Ziziphus honey proteins into five peaks with molecular masses in the range from 10 to >200 kDa. The fractionated proteins exhibited in vitro activities against Giardia lamblia with IC50 values ≤ 25 μg/mL. 


Results indicated that honey proteins were more active as antiprotozoal agents than metronidazole. This study indicated the potential of honey proteins and peptides as novel antigiardial agents.


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