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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Assessment of Bioactive Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Apis cerana L. Honey from Thailand for the Enhancement of Human Health

by
Udomsap Jaitham
1,2,†,
Sumed Yadoung
1,2,†,
Phannika Tongchai
1,2,
Peerapong Jeeno
1,2,
Pichamon Yana
1,2,3,
Nid Lungmala
1,2,
Kanlayanee Boonthawee
1,2,
Kunrunya Sutan
2,
Khanchai Danmek
4,
Jakkrawut Maitip
5,
Chuleui Jung
6,
Bajaree Chuttong
7,* and
Surat Hongsibsong
1,2,*
1
School of Health Sciences Research, Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
2
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Unit, Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
3
Office of the University, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
4
School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
5
Faculty of Science, Energy and Environment, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Rayong Campus, Bankhai, Rayong 21120, Thailand
6
Department of Plant Medicals, Gyeongkuk National University, Andong 36729, Republic of Korea
7
Meliponini and Apini Research Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Molecules 2025, 30(18), 3684; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30183684
Submission received: 7 August 2025 / Revised: 4 September 2025 / Accepted: 6 September 2025 / Published: 10 September 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Activity and Chemical Composition of Honeybee Products)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Honey is renowned for its natural antioxidant properties, which help mitigate oxidative stress and lower the risk of diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, cancer, chronic inflammation, and immune dysfunction. This study investigated the antioxidant potential and bioactive compound profiles of 38 Apis cerana L. honey samples from Thailand and 2 Manuka honey samples using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, along with the evaluation of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. The antioxidant activities measured showed a wide range of IC50 values, such as the DPPH assay, ranging from 1.59 ± 0.134 mg/L to 824.30 ± 0.64 mg/mL. Manuka honey exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. However, Apis cerana L. honey samples, such as sample no. 14, no. 16, and no. 20, showed comparable performance in the ABTS and FRAP. In addition, several samples of Apis cerana L. honey, such as no. 12, no. 14, and no. 21, also contain high levels of antioxidants, indicating that Apis cerana L. honey has potential as a health food. The results of this study indicate that Thai honey exhibits notable antioxidant capacity and contains significant levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, suggesting its potential as a natural dietary source for supporting oxidative stress management. These results indicate that some Apis cerana L. honey samples from Thailand have antioxidant properties comparable to Manuka honey. Although differences in floral origin, geographic origin, and bee species should be taken into account, Thai Apis cerana L. shows good potential as a natural source of beneficial bioactive compounds. This highlights its potential for use in functional foods and nutritional interventions targeting oxidative stress-related diseases.
Keywords: antioxidant activity; phenolic content; flavonoid content; Apis cerana honey; functional food antioxidant activity; phenolic content; flavonoid content; Apis cerana honey; functional food

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MDPI and ACS Style

Jaitham, U.; Yadoung, S.; Tongchai, P.; Jeeno, P.; Yana, P.; Lungmala, N.; Boonthawee, K.; Sutan, K.; Danmek, K.; Maitip, J.; et al. Assessment of Bioactive Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Apis cerana L. Honey from Thailand for the Enhancement of Human Health. Molecules 2025, 30, 3684. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30183684

AMA Style

Jaitham U, Yadoung S, Tongchai P, Jeeno P, Yana P, Lungmala N, Boonthawee K, Sutan K, Danmek K, Maitip J, et al. Assessment of Bioactive Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Apis cerana L. Honey from Thailand for the Enhancement of Human Health. Molecules. 2025; 30(18):3684. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30183684

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jaitham, Udomsap, Sumed Yadoung, Phannika Tongchai, Peerapong Jeeno, Pichamon Yana, Nid Lungmala, Kanlayanee Boonthawee, Kunrunya Sutan, Khanchai Danmek, Jakkrawut Maitip, and et al. 2025. "Assessment of Bioactive Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Apis cerana L. Honey from Thailand for the Enhancement of Human Health" Molecules 30, no. 18: 3684. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30183684

APA Style

Jaitham, U., Yadoung, S., Tongchai, P., Jeeno, P., Yana, P., Lungmala, N., Boonthawee, K., Sutan, K., Danmek, K., Maitip, J., Jung, C., Chuttong, B., & Hongsibsong, S. (2025). Assessment of Bioactive Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Apis cerana L. Honey from Thailand for the Enhancement of Human Health. Molecules, 30(18), 3684. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30183684

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