Honey helps fight antibiotic resistance

ISLAMABAD: The unique property of honey lies in its ability to fight infection on multiple levels making it more difficult for bacteria to develop resistance . According to researcher honey uses a combination of weapons including hydrogen peroxide acidity osmotic effect high sugar concentration and polyphenols all of which actively kill bacterial cells, Health news reported. For instance, the osmotic effect which is the result of the high sugar concentration in honey draws water from the bacterial cells dehydrating and killing them. Honey inhibits the formation of biofilms or disease causing bacteria researcher added. According to researcher, honey may also disrupt quorum sensing which weakens bacterial virulence rendering the bacteria more susceptible to conventional antibiotics. Quorum sensing is the way bacteria communicate with one another and may be involved in the formation of biofilms. Honey is effective because it is filled with healthful polyphenols or antioxidants, the study said. These include the phenolic acids caffeic acid p coumaric acid and ellagic acid as well as many flavonoids. Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between the non peroxide antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of honey and the presence of honey phenolics the researcher added. (APP)