Honey as an apitherapic product: its inhibitory effect on urease and xanthine oxidase

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate new natural inhibitor sources for the enzymes urease and xanthine oxidase (XO). Chestnut, oak and polyfloral honey extracts were used to determine inhibition effects of both enzymes. In addition to investigate inhibition, the antioxidant capacities of these honeys were determined using total phenolic content (TPC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and DPPH radical scavenging activity assays. Due to their high phenolic content, chestnut and oak honeys are found to be a powerful source for inhibition of both enzymes. Especially, oak honeys were efficient for urease inhibition with 0.012–0.021 g/mL IC₅₀ values, and also chestnut honeys were powerful for XO inhibition with 0.028–0.039 g/mL IC₅₀ values. Regular daily consumption of these honeys can prevent gastric ulcers deriving from Helicobacter pylori and pathological disorders mediated by reactive oxygen species.

• Antioxidant
• chestnut
• oak
• urease
• xanthine oxidase

Declaration of interest

This study was supported by the KTU-BAP Project (Project number: 970). The author reports no financial or other conflict of interest relevant to the subject matter of this article.