A recent meta-analysis by Xu et al. showed that, compared with blank control, topical application of honey treatment could reduce the incidence
of oral mucositis after radio/chemotherapy (P = 0.003). Honey has also been
shown to reduce the level of pain in patients suffering from oral mucositis
after radio/chemotherapy.
Although the exact etiology of the
prophylactic effect of honey on the management of radio/chemotherapy-induced
mucositis is not understood, investigators have proposed several hypotheses. It
may act by the following mechanisms:
- The sugar content in honey is very high; honey is hygroscopic and readily dehydrates bacteria and other microorganisms, thus demonstrating antimicrobial properties and reducing the severity of oral mucositis.
- Honey contains glucose oxidase; this enzyme catalysis the oxidation of glucose to hydrogen peroxide, which has a local antimicrobial effect.
- Clinical trials have also confirmed that honey can alleviate wound inflammation and accelerate granulation formation and epithelial crawling, accordingly promoting wound. healing.
Further multi-center randomized
controlled trials are needed to support the current evidence.
