Antimicrobial Properties of Hive Products and Their Potential Applications in Human and Veterinary Medicine

Bibliographic Details
Title: Antimicrobial Properties of Hive Products and Their Potential Applications in Human and Veterinary Medicine
Authors: Roberto Bava, Claudio Puteo, Renato Lombardi, Giuseppe Garcea, Carmine Lupia, Angelica Spano, Giovanna Liguori, Ernesto Palma, Domenico Britti, Fabio Castagna
Source: Antibiotics, Vol 14, Iss 2, p 172 (2025)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Subject Terms: hive products, antimicrobial activity, veterinary medicine, honey, propolis, one health, Therapeutics. Pharmacology, RM1-950
More Details: Hive products, encompassing honey, propolis, bee venom, royal jelly, and pollen, are recognized for their antimicrobial and therapeutic properties. This review examines their chemical composition, explores their mechanisms of action, and discusses their potential applications in both human and veterinary medicine, particularly in addressing the challenge of antimicrobial resistance. This study utilized a comprehensive literature search strategy, gathering data from Google Scholar, MEDLINE PubMed, SciELO, and SCOPUS databases. Relevant search terms were employed to ensure a thorough retrieval of the pertinent literature. Honey, rich in bioactive compounds such as hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal, effectively disrupts biofilms and combats multi-drug-resistant pathogens, showing promise in treating a range of infections. Propolis, with its flavonoids and phenolic acids, demonstrates synergistic effects when used in conjunction with antibiotics. Bee venom, particularly its component melittin, exhibits antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties, although further research is needed to address toxicity concerns. Pollen and royal jelly demonstrate broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, which is particularly relevant to animal health. Existing pre-clinical and clinical data support the therapeutic potential of these hive products. Hive products represent a vast and largely untapped natural resource for combating antimicrobial resistance and developing sustainable therapies, particularly in the field of veterinary medicine. However, challenges remain due to the inherent variability in their composition and the lack of standardized protocols for their preparation and application. Further research is essential to fully elucidate their mechanisms of action, optimize formulations for enhanced efficacy, and establish standardized protocols to ensure their safe and effective clinical use.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2079-6382
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/14/2/172; https://doaj.org/toc/2079-6382
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics14020172
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/9e277e18cb8f46f78871e2a939b65f56
Accession Number: edsdoj.9e277e18cb8f46f78871e2a939b65f56
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:20796382
DOI:10.3390/antibiotics14020172
Published in:Antibiotics
Language:English