Effects of natural honey on polymicrobial culture of various human pathogens.

INTRODUCTION: Honey has a wide range of antimicrobial activity. All previous studies have considered honey's effect on a single microbe. The present study investigated activity of honey towards a high dose of single or polymicrobial culture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 10 µl specimens of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) were cultured in 10 ml of 10-100% (wt/v) honey diluted in broth. Six types of polymicrobial microbial cultures were prepared by culturing the isolates with each other onto broth (control) and broth containing various concentrations of honey (10-100% wt/v). Microbial growth was assessed on solid plate media after 24 h incubation. RESULTS: Honey (30-70%) prevents growth of 10 µl specimens of all the isolates. Greater reduction in growth of E. coli was observed when cultured with S. aureus. Culturing of S. aureus with S. pyogenes, C. albicans, or E. coli increased its sensitivity to honey. S. aureus and S. pyogenes increased sensitivity of C. albicans to honey while E. coli and C. albicans decreased sensitivity of S. pyogenes. CONCLUSIONS: It might be concluded that honey prevents and inhibits growth of single and polymicrobial pathogenic cultures. Polymicrobial culture affects growth of the isolates and increases their sensitivity to honey.

Honey ameliorates influence of hemorrhage and food restriction on renal and hepatic functions, and hematological and biochemical variables.

The objectives were to assess the effects of various diets, including total food restriction with 50% honey feeding, total food restriction with 50% dextrose feeding or adlibitum (control group) commercial regular diet, on the hematology and biochemical variables, and to assess the effects of the various diets on the influence of acute blood loss on the same parameters. Thirty Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided into three groups, 10 rats each: group A, fed a commercial regular diet; group B, total food restriction with 50% dextrose feeding; and group C, total food restriction with 50% honey feeding. After 8 days of feeding, rats were subjected to acute blood loss (6 ml/kg) and blood investigations were performed. After acute blood loss, the same feedings were continued for a further 8 days and the blood tests were repeated at day 8 post-bleeding. Total food restriction with 50% dextrose feeding compared with commercial regular diet reduces hematological and biochemical variables. Total food restriction with 50% honey feeding compared with total food restriction with 50% dextrose feeding causes a greater reduction in fasting blood glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and triacylglycerol. Acute blood loss causes elevation of white blood cells, lymphocyte percentage, fasting blood sugar, blood urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase and triacylglycerol, and a reduction in serum albumen, protein, cholesterol, AST, serum creatinine and hemoglobin; the results are significant (P<0.05) concerning fasting blood glucose, AST, alkaline phosphatase, serum albumin and protein. A significant reduction in fasting blood glucose, white blood cells, BUN, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase and triacylglycerol, and a significant elevation of hemoglobin and serum albumin are obtained after acute blood loss in rats on total food restriction with 50% honey feeding as compared with the other two groups. Total food restriction with 50% honey feeding increases serum albumin, serum protein, fasting blood glucose, and causes lower reduction in hemoglobin as compared with the other groups. Conclusively, honey feeding during total food restriction significantly modifies and ameliorates biochemical and hematological changes observed after acute blood loss. This will pave the way to use honey as part of bleeding management and during a food restriction regimen.

Influence of various diet regimens on deterioration of hepatic function and hematological parameters following carbon tetrachloride: a potential protective role of natural honey.

The objective was to assess the effects of commercial regular diet as control, total food restriction with honey, commercial regular diet with dextrose, or total food restriction with dextrose, on blood variables after carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration. Sprague Dawley albino rats were divided into four groups, 10 rats each; Group 1 rats were on commercial regular diet, Group 2 rats were on commercial regular diet with 50% dextrose, Group 3 rats were on total food restriction with 50% dextrose, and Group 4 rats were on total food restriction with 50% honey. Rats in all the groups were i.m. administered CCL4 (2.4 mL kg b. wt.-1). Blood tests including ALT, AST, serum albumin, serum protein, BUN, blood glucose (BG), hemoglobin (Hb), and white blood cell (WBC) were performed before CCl4 administration and repeated after 48 and 96 h of post-injection. In Group 1, CCl4 caused significant elevation in AST and ALT, and decrease in BS, WBC, and BUN; lower elevation in AST and ALT at 48 h and decreased AST and ALT at 96 h were obtained when dextrose was added to commercial regular diet (Group 2). Using dextrose alone (Group 3), though there was significant elevation of AST and ALT and decrease in BUN and WBC as compared to baseline values, significant decrease in ALT, AST, and BUN as compared to control was obtained. During absolute honey feeding (Group 4), elevation in AST and ALT obtained, following CCl4 administration was significantly less than the values obtained in all other groups; with lower elevation in AST and ALT as compared to baseline values. Honey increased serum albumin, serum protein, BG, and caused lower reduction in Hb. Conclusively, exclusive honey feeding (50% concentration) significantly modifies and ameliorates biochemical and hematological changes obtained after CCl4 injection.

Effect of carbamazepine on urinary volume and osmolality, water clearance, and serum osmolality in patients with primary enuresis.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we investigate the effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) on urinary volume, frequency of micturition, serum and urine osmolality, osmotic and creatinine clearance, and free water clearance in patients with primary nocturnal enuresis. This information might help in our understanding of the mechanism of action of CBZ in management of patients with enuresis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised eight patients with primary enuresis (age range, 8-14 yr) who wet at night on a daily basis. Enuretics were given, CBZ 200 mg each night; urine volume, urinary osmolality and electrolytes, serum osmolality and electrolytes, osmotic clearance, fractional excretion of sodium, and free water clearance were assayed before CBZ treatment and after 15 d of treatment. Frequencies of bed-wetting and dry nights were observed during treatment. RESULTS: Mean number (+/-SD) of dry nights was increased from zero dry nights (daily bed-wetting) to 9.7 (2.8) per 15 d of treatment (65%). CBZ decreased the 24-h urinary volume by 41%, the night volume by 45%, the day volume by 38%, and frequency of micturition by 28%. CBZ increased the 24-h urinary osmolality by 43%. Serum osmolality changed significantly from 283.7 mOsm/l to 277.2 mOsm/l. CBZ decreased osmotic clearance by 37% and free water clearance by 34%. Creatinine clearance was decreased by 19% after CBZ treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CBZ reduced urine volume, increased urine osmolality, and decreased the free water clearance, the osmotic clearance, and the frequency of micturition in enuretics; this might help in understanding its mechanism of action.

The antimicrobial potential of honey from United Arab Emirates on some microbial isolates.

BACKGROUND: The study investigated activity of honey towards pathogens when grown in media contained honey, or when honey was added to cultures after inoculation. MATERIAL/METHODS: 1--Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes), E.coli and Candida albicans (C. albicans) were cultured into broth containing 10-100% (wt/v) honey concentrations. 2--Honey was added to broth inoculated with isolates after inoculation. 3--Optimum growth of isolates, therapeutic period of honey, and time after addition of honey that showed optimum effect was measured. RESULTS: The optimum growth of E. Coli and C. Albicans was 10 hrs and S. aureus was 12 hrs. Honey (30-70%) prevents growth of all isolates. Honey (80%) inhibited growth of small (1 microl) and large size of inoculum (10 microl) of E. Coli and S. Aureus when added to their cultures during 24 hrs after inoculation. Honey inhibited growth of C. Albicans when added during 2 to 6 hrs after inoculation. Honey delayed the appearance of microbial growth on the plates. Reculturing of specimens collected from media that showed no growth after addition of honey yielded recovery growth for E.coli and C. Albicans, and therapeutic period of honey for E.coli and S. Aureus was 2-24 hrs and for C. Albicans was 2-6 hrs. CONCLUSIONS: Honey prevents growth of the isolates and inhibits their growth when honey was added to growing culture. The therapeutic period of honey and recovery growth of inhibited isolates necessitates adjustment of honey doses according to type of isolate and grade of growth.