British scientists have found that honey has a destructive effect on pathogenic fungi, which can lead to fatal infections in people with weak immune systems.
Researchers from the University of Manchester in the UK found a powerful connection between a medicinal type of honey called “Surgihoney” and the destruction of the Fusarium (Fusarium) fungus that can lead to blindness and even death.
“Surgihoney” is a biologically created honey, which produces chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen.
Researchers have used various concentrations of honey in order to determine how effectively it destroys fungus Fusarium, which develops on plants and in soil.
The study showed that even low concentrations of honey have a significant impact on the destruction of the cell wall of the fungus that can potentially be used to treat patients.
Chronic infections, which are manifested in the form of long non-healing wounds account for about 60-80% of infectious diseases. Due to the fact that the fungus enters the wound, doctors have to assign patients to broad-spectrum antibiotics.
“Biofilms are thin layers of microorganisms that contribute to the increased severity and delay the healing of such chronic wounds,” said the researchers.
“I wanted to show the potential of honey as a healing agent that destroys these biofilms, thus accelerating the process of wound healing. But I found that honey works even better than some anti-fungal medication,” said Zain Habib Alhindi, PhD student at the University of Manchester.
“Our study opens the door to further research the use of honey for treatment of many fungal and some superficial infections”, concluded the researchers.
