Journal of Medicinal Food Volume 6 Issue 2 2003 [Doi 10.1089%2F109662003322233549] Al-Waili, Noori S. -- Effects of Daily Consumption of Honey Solution on Hematological Indices and

8/17/2019 Journal of Medicinal Food Volume 6 Issue 2 2003 [Doi 10.1089%2F109662003322233549] Al-Waili, Noori S. -- Effec…

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Topical honey application caused fastereradication of bacterial infections, reduced an-tibiotic use and hospital stay, acceleratedwound healing, and resulted in minimal scarformation.11 In addition, we used honey to treatseborrheic dermatitis and dandruff.8 For

chronic diseases of skin such as eczema, psori-asis, urticaria, and pityriasis rosa, we used amixture of honey, olive oil, and beeswax. Thehoney mixture accelerated healing of skin le-sions and caused all signs and symptoms tosubside.2 The mechanism of action of honey isnot definitely known, although acidity, osmo-lality, and hydrogen peroxide production have been proposed as important factors.12

In addition to antimicrobial activities, honey

has other important therapeutic and biologicaleffects. It was found to stimulate insulin secre-tion and decrease blood glucose levels.13,14

Honey improved lipid profile, lowered normaland elevated C-reactive protein, and deceasedtriglycerides in patients with hypertriglyc-eremia.15 In animal experimentation, absolutefeeding with honey for 2 weeks caused markedelevation in serum iron and hemoglobin thatwas associated with a reduction in white blood

cells.

16

Recently, we found that honey in-creased nitric oxide in saliva taken from nor-mal individuals.17 In addition, various honeyscontained different amounts of nitric oxidemetabolites, and intravenous honey increasedurinary nitrite excretion in the animals.18 Therehave been no previous reports regarding the ef-fects of honey on hematological indices, bloodtrace elements, and enzymes in humans. There-fore, it was decided to study the effects of oral

honey solution on these parameters in normalindividuals.The study included seven men and three

women (mean age, 31.2 years; range, 20–45years). The criteria for inclusion were as fol-lows: normal healthy volunteer, no signs orsymptoms of any diseases. The subjects partic-ipated in a 4-week trial to study the effects of honey on hematological and biochemical tests.The volunteers were our medical staff, includ-ing doctors, nurses, and laboratory technicians.They gave their written consent to participatein the study after being informed of the pur-pose and steps of the trial. The subjects receiveda strictly controlled regular diet during first 2

weeks (control period). This regular diet wassupplemented with daily consumption of 1.2g/kg body weight of honey dissolved in 250 mlof water during the next 2 weeks (test period).The subjects were instructed not to take anymedications or natural supplements during the

period of study.Natural unprocessed honey, dark yellow incolor and of multifloral origin, was used for ex-perimentation. Honey was collected fromLootah Farm, Al-Theed City, United Arab Emi-rates. Biochemical tests showed that honeycomposition included fructose, 38 g%; glucose,30 g%; acidity, 13%; moisture, 20%; vitamin C,2.3 mg%; copper, 0.098 mg%; zinc, 0.6 mg%; vi-tamin E, 0.74 mg%; vitamin A, 0.49 mg%; sele-

nium, 0.44 mg%; chromium, 0.007 mg%; iron,0.2 mg%; cobalt, 0.016 mg%; calcium, 17 mg%;and glutathione reductase, 0.52 mg%.

At the end of each period, after overnightfasting, blood samples were withdrawn at 8:00AM from the participants to assay blood glu-cose, blood minerals, vitamin C, b-carotene,uric acid, glutathione reductase, immunoglob-ulin E, hematological indices and cells, serumferritin, serum iron, and iron-binding capacity.

The tests were performed by routine methods.All of the values were expressed as themean 6 SD. Student’s t test was used for sta-tistical analyses; a probability value of P , .05was considered significant.

Table 1 demonstrates changes in the bloodhematological indices, blood minerals and en-zymes, and antioxidant agents obtained afteruse of honey. The results showed that 2 weeksof honey consumption increased the concen-trations of antioxidants in the blood. It in-creased the blood vitamin C concentration by47%, b-carotene by 3%, uric acid by 12%, andglutathione reductase by 7%. Honey increasedserum iron by 20% and slightly increased thehemoglobin, red blood cell count, and packedcell volume. Ferritin level was reduced by 11%.A 50% increase in monocytes was obtained, as-sociated with slight elevations in the percent-ages of lymphocytes and eosinophils. Serumimmunoglobulin E was reduced by 34% afteruse of honey. A 33% increase in the serum cop-per level was obtained, with slight elevation inmagnesium and zinc blood levels. Liver en-zymes were decreased after use of honey; the

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level of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(now aspartate aminotransferase [AST]) wasdecreased by 22%, and glutamate pyruvatetransaminase (now alanine aminotransferase[ALT]) by 18%. Marked reduction (41%) wasobtained in the serum concentration of lacticacid dehydrogenase. Fasting blood sugar was

reduced by 5%.The results of this pilot study showed thathoney can affect the levels of many blood ele-ments in normal subjects. Greater effect might be obtained using honey for longer periods (.2weeks). Honey increased the levels of antioxi-dants in the blood, as well as those of someother important nutrient elements. This effectmight be attributed to the composition of honey, which contains many nutrient elementsand antioxidants. Honey decreased fasting blood glucose levels. This is a result of the abil-ity of honey to stimulate insulin productionand secretion from the panaceas, which wedemonstrated in an earlier observation.13,14

Honey increased the serum iron concentra-tion, possibly as a result of its iron content.However, honey might increase iron absorp-tion and iron utilization too. This could explainthe elevation in red blood cells and in hemo-globin content after 2 weeks, although the ele-vation obtained was slight. Moreover, it has

been demonstrated that prostaglandins reduceserum iron, and oral honey inhibits prosta-glandin synthesis.19–21 Hence, inhibition of prostaglandin may be a means for the eleva-tion of serum iron obtained after honey con-sumption.

Honey reduced serum ferritin despite the el-evation of serum iron. Therefore, honey prob-ably increased the availability of iron to be usedfor red blood cell production. Ferritin is aniron-storing protein that is made in the liver,spleen, and bone marrow; in tumor cells; andat sites of inflammation. Cancer, liver diseases,and blood transfusion increase the ferritinlevel. Ferritin was found to be deleterious to

EFFECTS OF HONEY ON BLOOD LABORATORY VALUES 137

TABLE 1. BLOOD INDICES, M INERALS, AND ENZYMES AT END OF CONTROL AND TEST PERIODS (MEAN 6 SD)

Control period Test period (regularBlood variables (regular diet) diet with honey) P Value

Zinc (mg/dl) 96.7 6 12.1 98.4 6 13.2 0.7685Copper (mg/dl) 85.4 6 13.3 113.4 6 28.7 0.006Calcium (mg/dl) 10 6 0.244 9.7 6 0.24 0.0065Phosphorus (mg/dl) 3.9 6 0.8 3.48 6 0.27 0.1343Magnesium (mg/dl) 2.02 6 0.244 2.12 6 0.215 0.1066Creatinine kinase 55.3 6 27.3 37 6 27 0.02AST (IU/L) 17.8 6 6.73 13.9 6 8.27 0.0046ALT (IU/L) 27.1 6 17 22.9 6 19.48 0.1223Alkaline phosphatase (IU/L) 125 6 49.13 119.7 6 41.3 0.8308Lactic acid dehydrogenase 169.7 6 37 100 6 50.14 0.0005

(IU/L)Amylase (U/L) 40 6 14.42 40.2 6 18.3 0.9661Vitamin C (mg/dl) 0.821 6 0.496 1.209 6 0.769 0.1558B-Carotene (mg/dl) 44.2 6 6.64 45.38 6 15.47 0.837Ferritin (ng/ml) 81.96 6 22.77 72.63 6 28.41 0.1561Iron (mg/dl) 80.63 6 8.1 95.88 6 13.08 0.0187Iron binding capacity (mg/dl) 290 6 27.7 285.8 6 16.16 0.5964Red blood cells (million/ml) 4.975 6 0.654 5.022 6 0.79 0.8261Packed cell volume (%) 43.2 6 3.03 44 6 6.48 0.7312White blood cell (k/ml) 7.17 6 1.263 7.133 6 1.01 0.8403Neutrophils (%) 58 6 7.665 57.3 6 5.244 0.7762Lymphocytes (%) 35.63 6 8.417 36 6 4.598 0.8452Eosinophils (%) 3 6 1.871 3.77 6 0.66 0.1739Monocytes (%) 2 6 1.225 3 6 1.732 0.2462Hemoglobin (g/dl) 13.03 6 0.62 13.13 6 1.06 0.6671Immunoglobulin E (IU/L) 128.5 6 122 85 6 90.78 0.0453Platelet count (k/ml) 217.7 6 52 219.5 6 42.7 0.9201Uric acid (mg/dl) 4.525 6 0.972 5.063 6 1.13 0.322Fasting blood sugar (mg/dl) 100 6 6.46 95.8 6 6.25 0.0725Glutathione reductase (mg/dl) 48.1 6 4.01 51.4 6 3.43 0.0109


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neutrophil phagocytosis and to lymphocytefunctions.22 Elevated ferritin in rheumatic dis-eases reflects disease activity.23 Increased fer-ritin may be a risk factor in primary hepato-cellular carcinomas.24 The importance of reduction of serum ferritin by honey needs fur-

ther examination.Honey reduced markedly the serum im-munoglobulin E concentration in normal subjects. Immunoglobulin E is useful in serologicalassays performed in the diagnosis of allergy.25

The ability to reduce serum immunoglobulin Emakes honey an excellent candidate for use intesting protocols for allergic diseases. In addi-tion, we have found that topical application of honey reduces itching and inflammatory signs

and symptoms in urticaria, psoriasis, seborrheicdermatitis, and fungal skin lesions.2,8,9 Mono-cytes and eosinophils are important leukocytes,and both were increased by honey consump-tion. It is known that eosinophils are partici-pants in allergic diseases. They work as antigen-presenting cells and can stimulate lymphocyteactivity.26,27

Honey accelerates wound healing, as mea-sured by the thickness of granulation tissue, ep-

ithelization from the periphery of the wound,and the size of the open wound.28 Honey ac-celerated wound healing and diminished scarformation in infected surgical wounds.11 Vita-min C is important for synthesis of granulationtissue and for wound healing.29,30 Honey con-tains vitamin C, and drinking honey for 2weeks increased the serum vitamin C level.This could explain the capability of honey toaccelerate wound healing when applied on in-

fected wounds. The plasma ascorbic acid con-centration is reduced in patients who are re-ceiving antibiotics,31 so honey could be used asa supplementary natural product when antibi-otics are used. Vitamin C is an antioxidantagent, and therefore use of honey may helpsupport the antioxidant profile of the human body.

Uric acid is an endogenous antioxidant andan inhibitor of peroxynitrite-related chemicalreactions.32 Patients with low serum uric acid,such as those with multiple sclerosis,33 havecells and tissues that are less protected againstoxidative agents. Patients consuming vegeta- bles showed high concentrations of vitamin C

and uric acid, associated with less inflamma-tory changes in gastric mucosa.34 Honey in-creased the uric acid level, which was main-tained within normal limits. Interestingly,honey increased both vitamin C and uric acid,an effect that would augment the antioxidant

capability of the body.Copper is a trace mineral that the human body needs for normal health and growth.There is growing evidence concerning the rolesof copper and zinc in immunity.35 Copper de-ficiency leads to anemia, skeletal defects, de-generation of the nervous system, pronouncedcardiovascular lesions, elevated cholesterol,impaired immunity, and defects in pigmenta-tion of the hair. It also interacts with vitamin C

in the formation of collagen. Many enzymes,including superoxide dismutase and catalase,have been found to contain copper. Honey con-tains copper, and honey consumption markedlyincreased subjects’ serum copper concentra-tion. In addition, honey increased the serumzinc level, although the increment was slightafter 2 weeks. Zinc protects against ultravioletradiation, enhances wound healing, decreasesrisks of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, and

contributes to immune functions. It has an an-tioxidant role and is present in antioxidant en-zymes such as superoxide dismutase.36 Pro-nounced and greater elevation in the serumzinc concentration might be obtained withlonger consumption of honey.

Lactic acid dehydrogenase is an enzyme thatis found in many tissues and is used as an aidin the diagnosis of liver diseases, heart attacks,and anemia. It is elevated in muscle damage

and excessive destruction of cells. Creatinekinase is an enzyme that catalyzes the phos-phorylation of creatine to creatine phosphate.It is present in skeletal muscles, cardiac mus-cles, brain, thyroid, lung, and intestine. AST isfound in the liver, muscles, and red blood cells.It is increased in liver diseases, muscle damage,and hemolysis. ALT is found in the liver andis elevated in liver damage; it is involved in ala-nine metabolism. Concentrations of these en-zymes and of alkaline phosphatase werereduced by oral honey consumption. Markedand significant reductions in serum levels of lactic acid dehydrogenase, glutamic oxaloacetictransaminase, and creatine kinase were ob-

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tained. The clinical and pathological signifi-cance of these effects need further investiga-tion.

From these results, it seems that honey couldincrease the levels of essential elements and an-tioxidants in normal individuals. These find-

ings may shed light on the mechanisms of ac-tion of honey in wound healing, immunity, andhealth and could expand its use during patho-logical conditions.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The support of Haj Saeed Lootah, Chairmanof Islamic Establishment for Education andDubai College of Medicine, is greatly appreci-ated. Dr. Nader Boni, Dr. M. Akmal, and MissFaisa S. Al-Waili, Department of Medical Lab-oratories, Dubai Specialized Medical Center,provided assistance.

REFERENCES

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Address reprint requests to:

Noori S. Al-WailiProfessor and Director

Dubai Specialized Medical CenterDubai, P. O. Box 19099

United Arab Emirates

E-mail: [email protected]

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Journal of Medicinal Food Volume 6 Issue 2 2003 [Doi 10.1089%2F109662003322233549] Al-Waili, Noori S. -- Effects of Daily Consumption of Honey Solution on Hematological Indices and