NATURAL HONEY AND ITS THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL IN TREATMENT OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a spiral shaped bacteria is one of the potent enemies of our
gastrointestinal system. Currently, numerous antibiotic-based therapies are available to treat H.
pylori infection. However, these therapies have several inherent problems including antibiotic
resistance, adverse sideeffects and high cost. Further, long-term therapy with antibiotics can
result in pervasive alterations in the gut flora, leading to the susceptibility of infections.
Therefore, current antibiotic-based therapy to treat H. pylori infection fails in several cases, this
situation has demanded the researchers to develop other therapeutic approaches to control H.
pylori infection. Since, honey is a store of nutrients such as sugars, proteins, amino acids,
vitamins, enzymes, organic acids, phenols and volatile organic molecules with therapeutic
benefits against various pathogens, natural honey has the potential for treatment of H. pylori
infection. Honey acts as anti-H.pylori agent to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Here, we
describe natural honey with its potential role in treatment of H. pylori infection