Honey inhibits the in vitro growth of four Babesia species and Theileria equi

Abstract

Honey has antioxidant, immunostimulant, antibacterial, and antileishmanial activities. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro babesicidal and theilericidal effects of honey on Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Babesia divergens, Babesia caballi, and Theileria equi. There was noteworthy suppression of growth at a concentration of 0.5% (V/V) for B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, and T. equi and 1% (V/V) for B. caballi. The IC50 values of honey were 1.98, 1.82, 0.42, 1.7, and 1.43% (V/V) for B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, B. caballi, and T. equi, respectively. The growth was entirely repressed at 1% (V/V) for B. divergens,2.5% (V/V) for T. equi, and 5% (V/V) for B. bovis, B. bigemina, and B. caballi. The regrowth was repressed in the viability test at a concentration of 1% (V/V) for B. divergens,2.5% (V/V) for T. equi,and5% (V/V) for B. caballi, B. bovis,and B. bigemina. These results indicate honey as a natural killer of Babesia species and T. equi. Its use in the treatment of clinical cases requires further in vivo evaluation.  Honey has antioxidant, immunostimulant, antibacterial, and antileishmanial activities. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro babesicidal and theilericidal effects of honey on Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Babesia divergens, Babesia caballi, and Theileria equi. There was noteworthy suppression of growth at a concentration of 0.5% (V/V) for B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, and T. equi and 1% (V/V) for B. caballi. The IC50 values of honey were 1.98, 1.82, 0.42, 1.7, and 1.43% (V/V) for B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, B. caballi, and T. equi, respectively. The growth was entirely repressed at 1% (V/V) for B. divergens,2.5% (V/V) for T. equi, and 5% (V/V) for B. bovis, B. bigemina, and B. caballi. The regrowth was repressed in the viability test at a concentration of 1% (V/V) for B. divergens,2.5% (V/V) for T. equi,and5% (V/V) for B. caballi, B. bovis,and B. bigemina. These results indicate honey as a natural killer of Babesia species and T. equi. Its use in the treatment of clinical cases requires further in vivo evaluation.