A large number of studies have demonstrated the usefulness of honey in a variety of clinical conditions. Honey has been used in folk medicine in Pakistan since long. It exhibits antibacterial, antinematadol, immuno-modulatory and pain-relieving activities. Recent researches revealed the usefulness of honey and its constituents in diverse conditions such as gastroenteritis, analgesia and inflammation. Honey also helps heal diabetic foot wounds.
Dr M Kamran Azim, Assistant Professor at Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), Karachi University (KU), expressed these views while delivering a lecture on “Health beneficial properties of honey in relation to diseases prevalent in Pakistan” held at Prof Salimuzzaman Siddiqui Auditorium of International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences here on Thursday.
The lecture was jointly organised by Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research and Virtual Education Project Pakistan (VEPP) as a part of series of popular lectures for public awareness on common diseases of Pakistan. Dr Azim leaded the team which carried out genome sequencing of first Pakistani individual. During the last decade, Dr Azim carried out considerable research on characterization of health beneficial properties of natural honey. He said the history and science of natural honey confirms its role in good health promotion and disease treatment.
In Pakistan, honey is obtained from European and Oriental bee colonies foraged on variety of plant flora, he said, adding that due to richness in the bee flora different types of honey are available; honey produced from each plant species and from each geographical area has its own colour, flavour, and medicinal properties. He said: “People are busy in studies on honey since very long, but health beneficial properties can not be disclosed completely. Pakistan produces honey in large quantity worth one billion rupees annually. Saudi Arabia imports honey from Pakistan, and then exports it with Saudi label. Honey is used by the people of various countries including Saudi Arabia and Argentina as alternative medicine.”
He said the people of Pakistan witnessed great benefits of different unifloral and multifloral honeys produced in the plains and Himalayan regions of Punjab and north-western provinces of Pakistan. “Honey exhibits antibacterial, immuno-modulatory and pain-relieving activities. Recent researches revealed the usefulness of honey and its constituents in diverse conditions such as gastroenteritis, analgesia, inflammation and diabetes.
During the last decade, ICCBS has carried out considerable research on characterization of health beneficial properties of natural honey. The institute has investigated bioactivities of proteins-peptides present in natural honey obtained from different geographical regions of Pakistan.
