Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40293032›Full record

ReviewFuture microbiology

Selected honey as a multifaceted antimicrobial agent: review of compounds, mechanisms, and research challenges.

António Machado, Duarte Toubarro, José Baptista, Eduardo Tejera, José M Álvarez-Suárez

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Future microbiology. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. ManagingMolecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
    Pooled it
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

António MachadoFaculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Biotecnologia dos Açores (CBA), Universidade dos Açores (UAc), Ponta Delgada, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-5089-8723
Duarte ToubarroFaculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Biotecnologia dos Açores (CBA), Universidade dos Açores (UAc), Ponta Delgada, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0003-2025-9696
José BaptistaFaculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Biotecnologia dos Açores (CBA), Universidade dos Açores (UAc), Ponta Delgada, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0003-2355-261X
Eduardo TejeraFacultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Agropecuarias Aplicadas, Grupo de Bioquimioinformática, Universidad de Las Américas (UDLA), Quito, Ecuador.ORCID 0000-0002-1377-0413
José M Álvarez-SuárezLaboratorio de Investigación en Ingeniería en Alimentos (LabInAli), Departamento de Ingeniería en Alimentos, Colegio de Ciencias e Ingenierías, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito, Ecuador.ORCID 0000-0001-8509-1498

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Honey, derived from floral nectar, has been valued for its nutritional and therapeutic properties, with recent studies emphasizing its broad-spectrum antimicrobial potential, especially against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Honey's antimicrobial activity stems from its unique composition, including high sugar content, low pH, and bioactive compounds like hydrogen peroxide, methylglyoxal (MGO), and phenolic compounds. Distinct honey types, such as Manuka, Sidr, and Tualang, demonstrate varying antimicrobial effects based on their botanical and geographical origins. Manuka honey, rich in MGO, is notably effective against multidrug-resistant pathogens, while Sidr and heather honeys excel in biofilm inhibition and antioxidative properties. Bioactive components, including phenolics, flavonoids, enzymes, and antimicrobial peptides, disrupt microbial membranes, inhibit metabolic pathways, and induce oxidative stress. Advanced analytical techniques like HPLC and GC-MS have identified these compounds, though gaps remain in understanding secondary metabolites and synergistic actions. This review highlights honey's potential as a sustainable antimicrobial resource, emphasizing the need for standardization, clinical validation, and interdisciplinary research. Honey represents a promising solution to AMR and offers opportunities for integration into modern medicine and healthcare strategies.

Indexed as

Anti-Infective AgentsHoneyAnimalsAnti-Bacterial AgentsAntioxidantsBacteriaHumansPyruvaldehydeAnti-Bacterial AgentsAnti-Infective AgentsAntioxidantsPyruvaldehydeantimicrobial peptidesantimicrobial resistancebioactive compoundsbiofilm inhibitionclinical applicationsHoneypolyphenols and flavonoidsprotocol propositionstandardization challenges

Identifiers

PMID40293032
PMCPMC12153394

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.