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Antibiotics
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Honey: Antimicrobial and Anti-infective Function
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Honey: Antimicrobial and Anti-infective Function

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Novel Antimicrobial Agents".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 12084

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Niels Cremers

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Interests: medical-grade honey; wound healing; microbiology; biofilms; antimicrobial resistance; candidiasis; complementary and alternative medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Juraj Majtan

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Apidology and Apitherapy, Department of Microbial Genetics, Institute of Molecular Biology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 21, 845 51 Bratislava, Slovakia
Interests: honeybee products; wound healing; antibacterial activity; immunomodulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Infections are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide and can be mediated by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. The increasing antimicrobial resistance is a major challenge and demands novel effective treatment options. For this reason, an increasing amount of attention is being paid to activities related to the use of new or rediscovered preventive and curative approaches within the framework of antimicrobial stewardship. Honey may be a potent solution that has been used in traditional medicine.

Honey exerts a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including in cases of antimicrobial resistance. In addition, honey can be used as a pre- and probiotic, can change the microbiota, and has immunomodulatory activities. This combination helps to clear pathogens and makes honey an effective treatment for all kinds of ailments. For example, clinical studies have demonstrated that medical-grade honey (MGH) is effective in the treatment of respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal infections, tuberculosis, mucositis, cold sores, and COVID-19. More studies investigating the antimicrobial activity of honey, its molecular mechanisms, and clinical efficacy in different indications are needed to further implement honey in evidence-based medicine.

This Special Issue welcomes submissions of original research and review articles that investigate the antimicrobial activity and mechanisms of MGH, and the wide range of its clinical applications, including preclinical studies in vitro and/or in vivo, case series, and other clinical studies. 

Dr. Niels Cremers
Dr. Juraj Majtan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antimicrobial activity
  • biofilms
  • infections
  • clinical applications

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 3042 KiB  
Article
Methylglyoxal Alone or Combined with Light-Emitting Diodes/Complex Electromagnetic Fields Represent an Effective Response to Microbial Chronic Wound Infections
by Firas Diban, Paola Di Fermo, Silvia Di Lodovico, Morena Petrini, Serena Pilato, Antonella Fontana, Morena Pinti, Mara Di Giulio, Emilio Lence, Concepción González-Bello, Luigina Cellini and Simonetta D’Ercole
Antibiotics 2025, 14(4), 396; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14040396 - 10 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1076
Abstract
Background: antimicrobial resistance represents a critical issue leading to delayed wound healing; hence, it is necessary to develop novel strategies to address this phenomenon. Objectives: this study aimed to explore the antimicrobial/anti-virulence action of Methylglyoxal-MGO alone or combined with novel technologies such as [...] Read more.
Background: antimicrobial resistance represents a critical issue leading to delayed wound healing; hence, it is necessary to develop novel strategies to address this phenomenon. Objectives: this study aimed to explore the antimicrobial/anti-virulence action of Methylglyoxal-MGO alone or combined with novel technologies such as Light-Emitting Diodes-LED and Complex Magnetic Fields-CMFs against resistant clinical strains isolated from chronic wounds. Methods: characterized planktonic Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans isolates were used. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by measuring optical density, Colony Forming Units-CFU, and synergy between MGO/LED or CMFs. Cellular membrane permeability by propidium iodide fluorescence and fluidity by Laurdan generalized polarization measurements were performed. P. aeruginosa motility was tested using the soft agar method. A docking study was performed to evaluate the possible interaction between MGO and urease in P. aeruginosa. Results: single/combined treatments showed significant antimicrobial activity. Major CFU reduction was detected after CMFs/MGO+CMFs application on C. albicans. Treatments exhibited significant changes in membrane permeability and fluidity. The treatments decreased P. aeruginosa motility with a major reduction after LED application. Docking analysis showed that MGO could bind with P. aeruginosa urease leading to defective folding and functional alterations. Conclusions: the results suggest that these treatments could represent promising and green therapeutic solutions against resistant isolates from chronic wounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Honey: Antimicrobial and Anti-infective Function)
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21 pages, 488 KiB  
Article
Rosaceae Honey: Antimicrobial Activity and Prebiotic Properties
by Francesca Coppola, Manar Abdalrazeq, Florinda Fratianni, Maria Neve Ombra, Bruno Testa, Gokhan Zengin, Jesus Fernando Ayala Zavala and Filomena Nazzaro
Antibiotics 2025, 14(3), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14030298 - 13 Mar 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1643
Abstract
Background: Flowering members of the globally diffused Rosaceae family include popular plants, such as apple, almond, and cherry, which play a fundamental role as honeybee nectariferous and polleniferous agents. Through the production of honey, these plants can also play an indirect role in [...] Read more.
Background: Flowering members of the globally diffused Rosaceae family include popular plants, such as apple, almond, and cherry, which play a fundamental role as honeybee nectariferous and polleniferous agents. Through the production of honey, these plants can also play an indirect role in the prevention and treatment of many diseases, including infections, fighting the occurrence of resistant microorganisms, and concurrently stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria. Objectives: This study focused on the effect of some Rosaceae plants’ honey, including hawthorn, cherry, raspberry, almond, and apple, against the pathogens Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Results: Results demonstrated the honey’s ability to impair swimming motility. A crystal violet test indicated that honey could inhibit the formation and stabilization of biofilms, with inhibition rates up to 59.43% for immature biofilms (showed by apple honey against A. baumannii) and 39.95% for sessile bacterial cells in mature biofilms (when we used cherry honey against S. aureus). In the test with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, cherry and apple honey were the most effective in inhibiting sessile cell metabolism honey in both immature (56.47% cherry honey vs. K. pneumoniae) and mature biofilms (54.36% apple honey vs. A. baumannii). Honey stimulated the growth of Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lacticaseibacillus casei Shirota, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lacticaseibacillus plantarum, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus; hawthorn, raspberry, and almond honey significantly increased the in vitro adhesion capacity of L. bulgaricus and L. casei Shirota. Tests with probiotic supernatants demonstrated honey’s ability to inhibit the biofilm formation and metabolism of the pathogens. Conclusions: Our results encourage further studies to assess the potential application of Rosaceae honey for food preservation and in the health field, as it could fight the antimicrobial resistance of food and clinical pathogens, and potentially enhance the host’s gut wellness. The use of honey for nanotechnological and biotechnological approaches could be suggested too. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Honey: Antimicrobial and Anti-infective Function)
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17 pages, 711 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Activity of Honey and Propolis from Alba County, Romania
by Mihaela Laura Vică, Mirel Glevitzky, Gabriela-Alina Dumitrel, Maria Popa, Ioana Glevitzky and Cosmin Adrian Teodoru
Antibiotics 2024, 13(10), 952; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13100952 - 10 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2271
Abstract
Investigating the quality of bee products obtained across different geographical regions and analyzing their antimicrobial activity is of significant interest to various scientific disciplines. This study focuses on comparing the antimicrobial activity of honey and propolis samples from different areas of Alba County, [...] Read more.
Investigating the quality of bee products obtained across different geographical regions and analyzing their antimicrobial activity is of significant interest to various scientific disciplines. This study focuses on comparing the antimicrobial activity of honey and propolis samples from different areas of Alba County, Romania. The quality parameters of five samples of two types of bee products (honey and propolis) were assessed. Then, the samples were tested to comparatively determine their antimicrobial properties against 12 species of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella anatum, Salmonella choleraesuis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, and Listeria monocytogenes) and 7 fungal strains (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Fusarium oxysporum, and Alternaria alternata). Of the bacterial strains, the most sensitive to the action of honey samples were the two strains of Staphylococcus followed by P. fluorescens. The two strains of Pseudomonas and L. monocytogenes were the most sensitive to the activity of propolis. Of the fungal strains, F. oxysporum was the most sensitive to the actions of both honey and propolis, followed by P. chrysogenum in the case of honey samples and the two Aspergillus strains in the case of propolis. These findings indicate that bee products are rich sources of bioactive compounds exhibiting strong antimicrobial properties and significant potential for the development of new phytopharmaceutical products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Honey: Antimicrobial and Anti-infective Function)
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12 pages, 1953 KiB  
Article
Honeydew Honey as a Reservoir of Bacteria with Antibacterial and Probiotic Properties
by Dorota Grabek-Lejko and Mariusz Worek
Antibiotics 2024, 13(9), 855; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13090855 - 6 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1929
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to isolate, identify, and evaluate the antibacterial and probiotic potential of bacteria from honeydew honey collected in Poland. Isolates (189 colonies from 10 honey samples) were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to isolate, identify, and evaluate the antibacterial and probiotic potential of bacteria from honeydew honey collected in Poland. Isolates (189 colonies from 10 honey samples) were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Yersinia enterocolitica, and then identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. The isolates with the greatest antimicrobial properties were screened for their probiotic potential. The total number of bacteria isolated from honey did not exceed the value of 2.5 × 102 CFU/mL. The Bacillus pumilus/altitudinis, B. licheniformis, and Bacillus cereus groups were the dominant identified bacteria. Almost 16% of the isolates expressed antibacterial potential against three pathogenic bacteria, over 20% against two, while almost 34% of the isolates did not inhibit any. The survival rate of the isolates under gastrointestinal tract conditions was higher after 4 h of exposure to bile salts (>60% survival rate for 66.66% of the isolates), while at pH 2.0, it was lower (>50% survival rate for 44% of the isolates). The most resistant isolate B. pumilus/altitudinis survived at a rate of 77% at low pH and 108% with bile salts. These results confirmed that honeydew honey is a promising reservoir of bacteria that produces metabolites with antimicrobial and probiotic potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Honey: Antimicrobial and Anti-infective Function)
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Review

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15 pages, 1359 KiB  
Review
Medical-Grade Honey as a Potential New Therapy for Bacterial Vaginosis
by Céline M. J. G. Lardenoije, Senna J. J. M. van Riel, Linsey J. F. Peters, Martine M. L. H. Wassen and Niels A. J. Cremers
Antibiotics 2024, 13(4), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13040368 - 17 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3992
Abstract
The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) among women of reproductive age is 29%. BV arises from a vaginal imbalance marked by reduced levels of lactic acid-producing lactobacilli and an overgrowth of pathogenic anaerobes. The multifactorial nature of BV’s pathogenesis complicates its treatment. Current [...] Read more.
The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) among women of reproductive age is 29%. BV arises from a vaginal imbalance marked by reduced levels of lactic acid-producing lactobacilli and an overgrowth of pathogenic anaerobes. The multifactorial nature of BV’s pathogenesis complicates its treatment. Current antibiotic therapy exhibits a recurrence rate of about 60% within a year. Recurrence can be caused by antibiotic treatment failure (e.g., due to antimicrobial resistance), the persistence of residual infections (e.g., due to biofilm formation), and re-infection. Because of the high recurrence rates, alternative therapies are required. Medical-grade honey (MGH), known for its antimicrobial and wound healing properties in wound care, emerges as a potential novel therapy for BV. MGH exerts broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, employing multiple mechanisms to eliminate the risk of resistance. For example, the low pH of MGH and the production of hydrogen peroxide benefit the microbiota and helps restore the natural vaginal balance. This is supported by in vitro studies demonstrating that MGH has an antibacterial effect on several pathogenic bacteria involved in the pathophysiology of BV, while lactobacilli and the vaginal microenvironment can be positively affected. In contrast to antibiotics, MGH exerts anti-biofilm activity, affects the microbiome as pre- and probiotic, and modulates the vaginal microenvironment through its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, physicochemical, and immunomodulatory properties. More clinical research is required to confirm the positive effect of MGH on BV and to investigate the long-term cure rate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Honey: Antimicrobial and Anti-infective Function)
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