Neurological, Antiproliferative, and Apoptotic Effects of Honey

Honey is a natural sweetener, extensively used domestically as well as commercially owing to its nutritious, cosmetic, and therapeutic characteristics. Honey is chiefly composed of bioactive compounds: polyphenols and flavonoids. Besides, a few other bioactive compounds, such as quercetin, galangin, luteolin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin, occur in honey. These bioactive ingredients contribute to the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, neuroprotective, nootropic, antiproliferative, and apoptotic actions of honey. These broad spectra of qualities make it a potential therapeutic candidate against diabetes, hypertension, excitotoxicity, depression, respiratory disorders, and neurological disorders. Due to its antiproliferative and apoptotic properties, honey is an excellent candidate to curb cancer cells, which proliferate uncontrollably and bypass apoptotic barriers. In addition, the antioxidant nature of honey can help overcome oxidative stress and ameliorate the impact of neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, neuro-inflammation, and depression. Thus, honey can be included as a pharmacological agent in various medical conditions. In the current chapter, the focus is on the neurological, antiproliferative, and apoptotic properties of honey along with its health-promoting capability.