Impact of supplemental vitamins and natural honey for treatment of COVID-19: A review

Abstract The main aim of the paper is to assess whether vitamin C, vitamin D, and natural honey can be administered in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic for promising in line methods with recent evidence. Both systematic literature and clinical trial identification were conducted by searching various databases. A total 58 articles and 29 clinical trials were selected wherein 11 for vitamin C, 16 for vitamin D, and 2 for natural honey were identified for analysis. The high doses of vitamin C (i.e. '200 mg/kg body weight/day, divided into 4 doses') has been found to reduce COVID-19 lung damage, various flu infections. Additionally, the high doses of vitamin C can shorten around 7.8% stay in the intensive care unit. At the same time, vitamin D can effectively protect from lung injury and acute respiratory infections whereas vitamin D deficiency severely affects 75% of the institutionalized people (serum 25(OH) D < 25 nmol/L). Meanwhile, natural honey which contains proteins (0.1-0.4%); ash (0.2%); water (15-17%) has potential antiviral effects and the ability to improve immunity. Therefore, the administration of vitamins and honey is the promising evidence-based approach for reducing fatalities, saving lives, and bringing the COVID-19 pandemic to a rapid end. It is believed that the utilization of vitamin C, vitamin D, and natural honey with the current treatment may be effective in treating COVID-19-caused fatal complications such as pneumonia. Therefore, high-level clinical studies are required on COVID-19 to administrate the effects of vitamins and natural honey

Antioxidant activity of bee products added to water in tebuconazole-exposed fish

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of honey, propolis, and bee pollen for the reversal of lipid peroxidation induced by tebuconazole (TEB) in South American catfish (Rhamdia quelen), in which the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), the activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and the concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidants, reduced glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid, and non-protein thiols were assessed. Honey (0.125 g L-1) and bee pollen (0.05 g L-1) added to the water reverse the production of TBARS induced by TEB, while propolis demonstrated a pro-oxidant effect, inducing an increase in TBARS production. The data presented herein suggest that the addition of water to honey and bee pollen potentially protects against the oxidative stress caused by agrichemicals.

Um experimento foi conduzido objetivando avaliar o potencial do mel, da própolis e do pólen apícola na reversão da peroxidação lipídica causada pelo fungicida tebuconazole (TEB) na espécie de peixe tropical Rhamdia quelen, avaliando a concentração das substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), a atividade da enzima glutationa-S-transferase (GST) e das concentrações dos antioxidantes glutationa reduzida (GSH), ácido ascórbico e dos tiois não proteicos. O mel adicionado à água na concentração de 0,125g L-1 e o pólen apícola na concentração de 0.05 g L-1reverteram a geração das TBARS causada pela exposição ao TEB, enquanto a própolis demonstrou efeito pró-oxidante, induzindo um aumento na geração das TBARS. Os dados apresentados neste trabalho sugerem o potencial do mel e do pólen apícola adicionados à água como substâncias protetoras contra o estresse oxidativo causado por agroquímicos.

Curación de heridas sépticas con miel de abejas / Use of honey to cure of septic wounds

INTRODUCCIÓN. Variadas investigaciones reconocen a la miel ventajas sobre fármacos de origen químico. Este trabajo persiguió como objetivo fundamental determinar la acción de la miel en el tratamiento de heridas sépticas. MÉTODOS. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, observacional y comparativo sobre los efectos cicatrizantes de la miel, con un universo de 200 pacientes con heridas sépticas, que fueron atendidos en el Hospital Freyre Andrade y la Clínica Central Cira García entre los años 2000 y 2010. Se dividió aleatoriamente a los pacientes en dos grupos de 100 pacientes cada uno: un grupo control, a cuyos integrantes se les hizo una cura local diaria con solución salina al 0,9 por ciento, antisépticos y antibióticos locales; y un grupo de estudio, curado también localmente con solución salina al 0,9 por ciento pero con posterior aplicación de miel de abejas, en una capa que ocupó la herida en toda su profundidad y superficie. RESULTADOS. La mayoría de los cultivos realizados el primer día antes de curar la herida en el grupo control (98) continuaron siendo positivos (82) en el segundo cultivo (cuarto día), mientras que en el grupo de estudio solo fueron positivos 35 de los 95 cultivos realizados. En este grupo la fetidez y el tejido desvitalizado desaparecieron en las primeras 24 h de tratamiento, mientras que en el grupo control la situación se prolongó hasta el quinto y sexto días de tratamiento. El tejido de granulación útil apareció al segundo día en el grupo de estudio y en el octavo en el grupo control. En este último se documentaron 19 complicaciones asociadas al método de curación; no ocurrió así en el grupo de estudio, donde no hubo complicaciones ni reacciones adversas a la miel. CONCLUSIONES. La miel se puede utilizar para curar cualquier herida séptica, independientemente de su localización. Tiene fuertes propiedades desodorizantes, de limpieza y favorece la cicatrización de las heridas. En este estudio no se recogió ninguna complicación con su uso. Con este tipo de curación se ahorran 50,60 CUC por paciente(AU)

INTRODUCTION. Different researches recognize the advantages of honey on chemical drugs origin. The main objective of present paper was to determine the honey's action in the treatment of septic wounds. METHODS. A comparative, observational and descriptive study was conducted on honey healing effects including a universe of 200 patients with septic wounds, treated in the Freyre de Andrade hospital and the Cira García Central Clinic from 2000 to 2010 years. Patients were randomized into two groups of 100 patients each: a control group whose members undergo a daily local cure with 0,9 percent saline solution, local antiseptics and antibiotics, and other study group using the above mentioned technique but with a latter use of honey as a deep and superficial layer covering wound. RESULTS. Most of cultures made the first day before the wound's cure in the control group (98) remained positive (82) in the second culture (fourth day), whereas in the study group only 35 were positive from the 95 culture made. In this group the fetidness and the tissue devitalization disappeared during the first 24 hours of treatment, whereas in the control group this situation lasted until the fifth and sixth days of treatment. The useful granulation tissue appeared the second day in the study group and the eighth day in control group. In this latter there were 19 complications related to cure method but not in the study group in which there were neither complications nor adverse reactions to honey. CONCLUSIONS. The honey maybe used to cure any septic wound, regardless of its location. It has strong deodorizing and cleanliness properties favoring the wounds scarring. In present study there was not any complication related to its use. Using this type of healing it is possible to save 50.60 currencies by patient(AU)

Effect of natural honey on human platelets and blood coagulation proteins

Present study was conducted to determine the effects of honey on blood hemostasis, in-vitro effect of honey was observed on platelet aggregation and blood coagulation employing, activated partial prothrombin time [aPTT], prothrombin time [PT], thrombin time [TT] and fibrinogen levels in blood. Honey samples showed moderate inhibition of platelet aggregation with IC[50] 5-7.5%. The coagulation assays showed that at higher concentrations [>/= 15%] honey samples increased whole blood clotting time. When assayed in platelet poor plasma [PPP], honey samples significantly [P >/= 0.005] prolonged aPTT, PT, and TT. The honey samples [at 3.75% and 7.5% concentrations] cause mean increment of aPTT = 19 +/- 10% and 62 +/- 10%; PT 6 +/- 5% and 40 +/- 5%; TT 35 +/- 15% and 112 +/- 30% respectively. Moreover, PPP isolated from whole blood pre-incubated with honey samples [9.0% for 10 minutes] showed mean prolongation of aPTT, PT and TT of 45 +/- 21%, 26 +/- 9% and 105 +/- 24% respectively. Interestingly, incubation of honey at 6.25% and 11.75% concentrations in PPP considerably [P >/= 0.005] reduced fibrinogen levels i.e. 13 +/- 4% and 86 +/- 30% respectively. The present study outlines the inhibitory effect of natural honey on platelet aggregation and blood coagulation. These observations provide first line data for modulatory role [s] of honey on process of hemostasis

Botulismo infantil: Comunicación de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Infant botulism: Case report and review

Botulism is a rare disease in Chile and of the known clinical presentation, infant botulism is the most common. We report the case of a previously healthy seven month oíd male infant with a two weeks history of rinorrea, cough, fatigue, constipation and progressive weakness after the consumption of honey. Stool cultures were positive for Clostridium botulinum group 1 type A and electromyography was compatible with the diagnosis. The patient evolved with arterial hypertension, interpreted as secondary to autonomic dysfunction, which responded to calcium channel blockers. Muscle tone improved progressively during the following four weeks. Infant botulism is a potentially fatal disease; diagnosis can be difficult given the broad clinical manifestations. Prevention should focus on education of parents of infants as well as medical personnell.

El botulismo es un trastorno poco frecuente en nuestro país. De las formas conocidas, el botulismo infantil da cuenta de la mayoría de los casos. Comunicamos el caso clínico de un paciente de siete meses, sexo masculino, sin antecedentes mórbidos. Historia de dos semanas de coriza, tos y decaimiento. Tras la ingesta de miel presentó exacerbación de la sinto-matología respiratoria, constipación y debilidad muscular progresiva. Se analizó muestra de heces resultando positiva para Clostridium botulinum grupo I tipo A. El estudio electromiográñco fue compatible con el diagnóstico. Presentó hipertensión arterial, atribuyéndose a disfunción autonómica, con buena respuesta a bloqueadores de los canales de calcio. Recuperó progresivamente el tono muscular. En un control ambulatorio se apreciaba importante regresión de la sinto-matología. El botulismo infantil es una enfermedad potencialmente letal de no tratarse oportunamente y de difícil diagnóstico, ya que su presentación es similar a otros cuadros clínicos. Es necesario educar a padres y personal médico sobre las medidas de prevención para los lactantes bajo doce meses de edad.

Infant botulism due to consumption of contaminated commercially prepared honey

To report the first case of infant botulism in Arabian Gulf States. A 6-week-old infant, presenting with signs of sepsis, was intubated and ventilated due to progressive weakness. Infant botulism was suspected with acute flaccid paralysis and a history of honey consumption. An electromyogram showed decreased amplitude of compound muscle action potential in all motor nerves, preserved sensory responses; the motor terminal latencies and motor conduction velocities were normal. Blood, stool and honey samples were sent for culture. Stool and honey cultures showed two identical strains of Clostridium botulinum.This case shows that the infant botulism occurred from the ingested contaminated honey. Hence vigilance should be maintained when a baby is fed honey and shows signs of progressive weakness because the disease can quickly progress to respiratory failure