Inhibitory effect of natural honey on Helicobacter pylori

Honey is widely used in folk-medicine throughout the world. However, it has a limited use in modern medicine due to lack of scientific support. Based on some recent reports, an in vitro study was undertaken to evaluate its antibacterial activity on Helicobacter pylori and a few other pathogenic organisms. All isolates of H. pylori were inhibited by 20 per cent of honey. Most of the other bacteria examined (including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative) were also inhibited at concentrations of 20 per cent of honey; and half of them were inhibited by 10 per cent of honey. Furthermore, it was observed that some isolates were resistant to various antimicrobial agents but honey inhibited these organisms and the sensitive ones equally. Our study advocates carrying out clinical investigation of the effect of honey on gastroduodenal disorders colonised by H. pylori.