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- Title
Therapeutic Uses, Total Phenolic, Flavonoid & Proline Contents and Antioxidant Activity of Burkina Faso Honeys.
- Authors
A., Meda; C. E., Lamien; O. G., Nacoulma
- Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to describe the therapeutic uses of honey in Burkina Faso, and to study the total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity of some honey samples of the country. METHODS Traditional healers and family heads were interviewed in four regions from the central part of the country. Twenty seven honey samples were collected from apiarists during the surveys. Total phenolic, flavonoid and proline contents were determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteau, aluminium trichloride and ninhydrin reagent procedures respectively. The antioxidant activities were determined in terms of % inhibition and total antioxidant contents using DPPH. MAIN RESULTS The therapeutic uses described included treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory ailments, fatigue, vertigo, ophthalmic disorders, toothache, measles, wounds, burns, chest pains, period pains and postnatal disorders, male impotence as well as its application as a skin cleansing agent. The honey samples consisted of 18 multifloral, 2 honeydew and 7 unifloral honeys, derived in the latter cases from flowers of Combretaceae, Vitellaria, Acacia and Lannea plant species. The total phenolic contents varied considerably with the highest values obtained for honeydew honey. Similarly, much variation was seen in total flavonoid and proline content, with Vitellaria honey having the highest proline content. Vitellaria honey was also found to have the highest antioxidant activity and content. The correlation between radical scavenging activity and proline content was higher than that for total phenolic compounds. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed anecdotal evidence supporting the beneficial use of honey as a remedy for various ailments. It also suggests that the amino acid content of honey should be considered more frequently when determining its antioxidant activity.
- Subjects
HONEY; THERAPEUTICS; PHENOLS; FLAVONOIDS; PROLINE; ANTIOXIDANTS; AMINO acids
- Publication
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2007, Vol 14, Issue 1, p120
- ISSN
1394-195X
- Publication type
Article