Review demonstrates diverse therapeutic actions and deep eutectic solvent properties of honey in biological systems, highlighting its potential as a functional food.
Key Points
To synthesize evidence on the physicochemical composition of honey and assess the biological mechanisms through which its minor bioactive constituents exert therapeutic effects.
Reviewed experimental and clinical studies evaluating carbohydrate and non-glucidic profiles across different varieties of honey.
Assessed pharmacological evidence concerning antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and metabolic activities, as well as natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) characteristics.
Minor non-glucidic constituents, including phenolic acids and flavonoids, drive primary antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and wound-healing responses.
Phenolic-rich fractions protect against cyclophosphamide-induced organ toxicity and inhibit protein glycation, offering protective utility against oxidative and metabolic stress.
Honey acts as a natural deep eutectic solvent, stabilizing, extracting, and enhancing the bioavailability of co-occurring phytochemicals depending on the specific matrix conditions.