Honey – Biological Activity - A Review

Honey, considered a functional food with a complex chemical composition, has been revered since ancient times for its nutritional and therapeutic properties. In addition to its high sugar content, honey contains a wide variety of bioactive components, especially phenolic acids and flavonoids, which gives it a high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. In addition, results obtained by in vitro and in vivo testing of different types of honey have demonstrated the potential effects of this product in the prevention, progression and therapy of cancer. The antitumor effects of honey are generally attributed to different mechanisms, such as blocking the cell cycle, activating the mitochondrial pathway, permeabilizing the outer mitochondrial membrane, inducing apoptosis and, on the other hand, modulating oxidative stress, ameliorating inflammation and inhibiting angiogenesis. These aspects have demonstrated excellent preclinical potential in a variety of conditions and physiological systems, an aspect that can guide future research in thoroughly delving into the mechanisms of action of this proven "superfood" that can be optimized for the benefit of humanity.