Stingless Bee Honey May Ease COVID-19 Pulmonary Symptoms
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Anti-inflammatory Properties of Stingless Bee Honey May Reduce the Severity of Pulmonary Manifestations in COVID-19 Infections?
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Original source:
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Ewe Seng Ch’ng, Thean Hock Tang
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Anti-inflammatory Properties of Stingless Bee Honey May Reduce the Severity of Pulmonary Manifestations in COVID-19 Infections?
Year: 2020 | Doi: 10.21315/mjms2020.27.3.16
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, there has been increasing interest in potential complementary therapies for managing the disease. A study proposed by Mustafa MZ et al. suggests that stingless bee honey may have functional food properties that could aid in the treatment of COVID-19, particularly due to its anti-inflammatory effects on the immune response. The authors highlight the connection between elevated IL-6 levels in severe COVID-19 cases and the immune response, speculating that honey could help mitigate inflammation during infection.
The Complexity of COVID-19 Pathogenesis
The pathogenesis of COVID-19 involves several stages, starting from mild symptoms and potentially progressing to severe conditions such as viral pneumonia and systemic hyperinflammation, known as a cytokine storm. In the early stages, most patients recover without intensive treatments, often experiencing only mild symptoms. In contrast, later stages involve critical respiratory distress and require aggressive anti-inflammatory treatments. The authors argue that proposing honey as a treatment for early infections does not align well with our understanding of disease progression, as established treatments such as corticosteroids and IL-6 inhibitors are more effective during advanced disease stages.
Conclusion
While self-care remedies like honey may provide some symptomatic relief for upper respiratory infections, they are not comparable to established medical treatments for COVID-19. There exists a broad spectrum of herbal therapies and dietary supplements that have shown limited evidence in clinical settings; however, claiming their efficacy in treating COVID-19 is not advisable. The discussion underscores the importance of basing treatment strategies on scientific evidence and understanding the complexities of COVID-19's pathogenesis to guide effective interventions.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the speculation about stingless bee honey and COVID-19?
Researchers speculate that stingless bee honey may serve as a functional food to complement COVID-19 treatment by leveraging its anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in relation to the cytokine IL-6, which is significantly elevated in non-survivor COVID-19 patients.
What are the stages of COVID-19 disease progression?
COVID-19 progresses through three stages: Stage I shows mild symptoms, Stage II involves viral pneumonia and may require hospitalization, while Stage III can result in a cytokine storm and systemic hyperinflammation, necessitating aggressive anti-inflammatory treatment.
How does honey compare to conventional anti-inflammatory treatments?
While stingless bee honey has anti-inflammatory properties, it is doubtful that it matches the efficacy of established anti-inflammatory treatments like glucocorticoids in later stages of COVID-19, where severe immune dysregulation occurs.
What role do self-care treatments play in COVID-19 management?
Self-care treatments, including honey for cough relief, may help alleviate symptoms in mild COVID-19 cases. However, they should be viewed as supportive rather than definitive treatments in managing the disease.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Stingless Bee Honey May Ease COVID-19 Pulmonary Symptoms”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Disease:
Disease refers to a pathological condition of a living organism that negatively affects normal functioning. In the context of COVID-19, the disease is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, leading to a spectrum of clinical manifestations, from mild respiratory symptoms to severe respiratory distress, necessitating diverse treatment approaches for management.
2) Honey:
Honey, especially from stingless bees, is highlighted for its anti-inflammatory properties and potential role as a complementary treatment for respiratory diseases like COVID-19. While some studies suggest benefits, its efficacy in serious infections remains under scrutiny, emphasizing the need for evidence-based treatment rather than relying solely on natural remedies.
3) Inflammation:
Inflammation is a biological response to injury or infection, characterized by redness, swelling, and pain. In COVID-19, excessive inflammation, particularly involving cytokines like IL-6, can lead to severe complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome. Understanding this process is crucial for developing effective therapies to manage the disease.
4) Medicine:
Medicine encompasses numerous disciplines focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing illness. The exploration of treatments for COVID-19 is a prime example, where advancements include traditional pharmacological therapies and alternative remedies, reflecting the necessity for a comprehensive approach that considers both scientific evidence and patient preferences.
5) Mason:
Mason refers to RJ Mason, an author who contributed significant insights into the pathogenesis of COVID-19 through a cell biology perspective. His work aids understanding of how the virus affects human cells, thus shaping treatment strategies and public health responses during the ongoing pandemic.
6) Cina:
China is significant in the context of COVID-19 as it was the origin of the outbreak, prompting extensive research and observations on the disease's trajectory. Insights gained from China, including patient characteristics and clinical outcomes, are essential for informing global health policies and strategies for managing the pandemic.
7) Observation:
Observation plays a critical role in medical practice and research, allowing healthcare professionals to monitor patient symptoms and the progression of diseases. In COVID-19 cases, careful observation facilitates timely interventions and helps to study disease patterns, ultimately contributing to better management strategies and treatment protocols.
8) Glass:
Glass refers to the characteristic appearance of lung imaging (ground glass opacities) found in patients with COVID-19. This imaging feature is indicative of pneumonia and inflammation in the lungs, helping clinicians in diagnosing the disease and determining its severity, which is essential for timely and appropriate treatment.
9) Storm:
Storm is used metaphorically to describe a cytokine storm, a severe immune reaction seen in some COVID-19 patients resulting in overwhelming inflammation. This response can lead to critical conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiorgan failure, necessitating aggressive anti-inflammatory treatments to mitigate serious health risks.
10) Fever:
Fever is a common symptom indicating infection, including COVID-19. It is part of the body’s immune response to fight off pathogens. Monitoring fever in patients helps guide diagnosis and treatment, reflecting the importance of symptom management in managing infectious diseases effectively, especially in a pandemic scenario.
11) Death:
Death represents the severe outcome that can result from complications associated with COVID-19, including respiratory failure and systemic hyperinflammation. Understanding the mortality rates and causes of death related to this disease is crucial for public health strategies aimed at reducing fatalities and improving care for infected patients.
12) Food:
Food, particularly functional foods, like honey, is explored in relation to health and disease management. During COVID-19, there is interest in how dietary components can support immune function or alleviate symptoms, although it is crucial to emphasize that such foods should not replace evidence-based medical treatments.
13) Line:
Line may refer to the thematic line drawn between established medical treatment and complementary or alternative therapies. Throughout the discourse on COVID-19 treatments, it emphasizes the necessity for evidence-based practices while exploring the potential roles of supplementary methods alongside conventional medicine in patient care.
14) Post:
Post likely refers to the post-pandemic landscape regarding treatment and management strategies for diseases like COVID-19. This consideration encompasses not only clinical practices but also public health responses and the long-term impacts of the pandemic on healthcare systems and societal health behaviors.
15) Viru:
Viru could refer to 'virus,' specifically the SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19. Understanding the nature and behavior of this virus is crucial for developing effective treatments and vaccines, as well as for implementing preventive measures to limit transmission and mitigate outbreaks on a global scale.
Other Health Sciences Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Stingless Bee Honey May Ease COVID-19 Pulmonary Symptoms’. Further sources in the context of Health Sciences might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Acute cough, Symptomatic relief, Clinical trial, Anti-inflammatory properties, Disease progression, Herbal therapies, COVID 19, Immune response, SARS-CoV-2, Viral etiology, In vitro studies, Dietary supplement, Coronavirus disease-2019, Functional food, Upper Respiratory Tract Infection, Epithelial Cells, Upper respiratory tract, Acute respiratory distress syndrome, Cytokine storm, Immune cells, Innate immune response, Multiorgan failure, Non-specific symptoms, IL-6, Pro-inflammatory cytokine, Antiviral therapy, Host immune response, Viral pneumonia, Antiviral treatment, Mechanical ventilation, Ground-glass opacities, Respiratory viral infections, Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, Anti-inflammatory therapy, Pyroptosis, Pulmonary parenchyma, COVID-19 patient, Corticosteroid, Stage III, Upper airway, Bronchial epithelial cells, Epithelial cell.