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. 2022 Jul 20;14(14):2969.
doi: 10.3390/nu14142969.

Honeys as Possible Sources of Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Dominik Szwajgier  1 , Ewa Baranowska-Wójcik  1 , Anna Winiarska-Mieczan  2 , Dorota Gajowniczek-Ałasa  1
Affiliations

Honeys as Possible Sources of Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Dominik Szwajgier et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterised by low levels of the neurotransmitter (acetylcholine), oxidative stress, and inflammation of the central nervous system. The only currently available form of treatment entails the administration of AChE/BChE (acetylcholinesterase/butyrylcholinesterase) inhibitors to patients diagnosed with the disease. However, AD prevention is possible by administering the correct inhibitors with food. The aim of this study was to examine 19 types of honey in terms of their contents of cholinesterase inhibitors. The inhibition of AChE and BChE relative to the respective honey samples was evaluated using Ellman's colorimetric method, including the "false-positive" effect. The highest potential for AChE inhibition was observed in the case of thyme honey (21.17% inhibition), while goldenrod honey showed the highest capacity for BChE inhibition (33.89%). Our study showed that honeys may provide a rich source of cholinesterase inhibitors and, in this way, play a significant role in AD.

Keywords: AChE; Alzheimer’s disease; BChE; acetylcholine; honey.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Structural formulas of cholinesterase inhibitors. Based on Nadri et al. [12]. O, oxygen; N, nitrogen; CH3, methyl group.
Figure 2
Figure 2
AChE inhibition (%) in the studied honeys (averaged results ± standard deviation). Legends: 1—Acacia, 2—Raspberry, 3—Lavender, 4—Bean, 5—Buckwheat, 6—Aloe, 7—Heather, 8—Linden, 9—Eucalyptus, 10—Sunflower, 11—Goldenrod, 12—Linden, 13—Thyme, 14—Rape, 15—Rosemary, 16—Hawthorn, 17—Pomegranate juice, 18—Acacia, and 19—Orange blossom. Various small letters a, b, etc. mean significant differences at p < 0.05. AChE, acetylcholinesterase.
Figure 3
Figure 3
BChE inhibition (%) in the studied honeys (averaged results ± standard deviation). Legends: 1—Acacia, 2—Raspberry, 3—Lavender, 4—Bean, 5—Buckwheat, 6—Aloe, 7—Heather, 8—Linden, 9—Eucalyptus, 10—Sunflower, 11—Goldenrod, 12—Linden, 13—Thyme, 14—Rape, 15—Rosemary, 16—Hawthorn, 17—Pomegranate juice, 18—Acacia, and 19—Orange blossom. Various small letters a, b, etc. mean significant differences at p < 0.05. BChE, butyrylcholinesterase.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Correlation between anti-AChE activities and TPC of the studied honeys. R-Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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