ARJUN MALIK AND ANITA RANA*
University Institute of Biotechnology-Biosciences, Chandigarh University, NH-95, Ludhiana-Chandigarh State Highway, Gharuan, Mohali-140 413 (Punjab), India
*(e-mail: anitakadian23@gmail.com; Mobile: 8699672439)
(Received: June 10, 2024; Accepted: July 27, 2024)
ABSTRACT
The present study was aimed at analyzing the antimicrobial and anti-helminthic activity of different extracts of honey which was carried out via in vitro methods. Three extracts of honey (ethanolic, methanolic and water) were prepared and tested for antibacterial (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enteric) and antifungal (Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) activities by disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. The anti-helminthic (amphistomes) activities were assessed via bioassay method under in vitro conditions. The positive controls used were ampicillin (antibacterial), amphotericin B (antifungal) and albendazole (anti-helminthic). The antimicrobial activities were determined after 24 h of incubation at 37°C for bacteria and 28°C for yeasts by measuring the zones of inhibitions in millimeter and by broth dilution methods. Worm motility inhibition assay was employed for the evaluation of anti- helminthic activity of honey. Results showed that among all the extracts used, methanolic extract of honey was found to be the most effective against antimicrobial properties. It was also observed that honey showed more effectiveness towards Gram-negative as compared to the Gram-positive bacteria, and none of the extract was found to be effective against amphistome. The positive controls showed efficient action against all the microbes used and at a fixed concentration. The biological activities observed for honey demonstrate that in the era of antibiotic resistance, the natural product like bee products can be used for manufacturing drugs with very low side effects. However, it requires further studies on isolation of bioactive constituents.
Key words: Antibacterial, antifungal, anti-helminthic, honey, in vitro