Navarro-Hortal María D, Romero-Márquez Jose M, Ansary Johura, Hinojosa-Nogueira Daniel, Montalbán-Hernández Cristina, Varela-López Alfonso, Quiles José L
Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology ''José Mataix Verdú", Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Avda. del Conocimiento s.n., 18100 Armilla, Spain.
Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, 18012 Granada, Spain.
Nutrients. 2025 Aug 8;17(16):2577. doi: 10.3390/nu17162577.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia and a major global health challenge, characterized by progressive cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. Despite decades of research, there is currently no cure, and available treatments provide only limited symptomatic relief without halting disease progression. In this context, natural compounds with multi-targeted biological activities are being explored as potential complementary therapeutic strategies. Honey, a complex natural substance rich in bioactive phytochemicals, has emerged as a promising candidate due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and enzyme-inhibitory properties. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of honey in the context of AD, with a particular focus on its ability to modulate oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, apoptosis, β-amyloid accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, and neurotransmission-related enzymes. Notably, the botanical origin of honey significantly influences its composition and biological activity, as evidenced by studies on avocado, manuka, acacia, kelulut, chestnut, coffee, or tualang honeys. While preclinical findings are encouraging, especially in vitro and in invertebrate and rodent models, clinical validation is still lacking. Therefore, further research, including well-designed in vivo and human studies, is needed to clarify the therapeutic relevance of honey in AD. Overall, honey may represent a promising natural adjunct in the prevention or management of AD, but current evidence remains preliminary.
阿尔茨海默病（AD）是最常见的痴呆形式，也是一项重大的全球健康挑战，其特征为进行性认知衰退和神经退行性变。尽管经过了数十年的研究，但目前尚无治愈方法，现有治疗仅能提供有限的症状缓解，无法阻止疾病进展。在此背景下，具有多靶点生物活性的天然化合物正作为潜在的辅助治疗策略被探索。蜂蜜是一种富含生物活性植物化学物质的复杂天然物质，因其抗氧化、抗炎、抗凋亡和酶抑制特性而成为有前景的候选物。本综述总结了蜂蜜在AD背景下神经保护作用的分子机制，特别关注其调节氧化应激、线粒体功能障碍、炎症、凋亡、β-淀粉样蛋白积累、tau蛋白过度磷酸化以及神经传递相关酶的能力。值得注意的是，蜂蜜的植物来源显著影响其成分和生物活性，对鳄梨、麦卢卡、金合欢、吉卢特、栗子、咖啡或杜拉朗蜂蜜的研究证明了这一点。虽然临床前研究结果令人鼓舞，尤其是在体外以及无脊椎动物和啮齿动物模型中，但仍缺乏临床验证。因此，需要进一步研究，包括精心设计的体内和人体研究，以阐明蜂蜜在AD中的治疗相关性。总体而言，蜂蜜可能是预防或管理AD的一种有前景的天然辅助手段，但目前的证据仍然初步。
