The SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and the Role of Honey and its Products as an Emerging Therapeutic Regime: A Review

Abstract

The outbreak of pneumonia that broke out in Wuhan, in December 2019, later rapidly spread to the rest of the world. This was identified as Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) [officially renamed severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)] caused by a zoonotic beta Coronavirus entitled 2019 novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The aim of this study was to summarize the biological features of SARSCoV-2, its clinical features and the possible antiviral effect of honey against SARS-CoV-2. For this purpose, recently published literature, official documents and selected up-to-date preprint studies were reviewed. The initial source of SARS-CoV-2 is still unknown but a possible animal-to-human transmission is indicated. Human spread of SARS-CoV-2 is due to droplet spread. The infected individual may present as symptomatic or asymptomatic, this varies from patient to patient mainly depending upon his/her immunity. To combat the current pandemic various modalities are under study, an important and harmless way of treatment might be the use of honey. Various studies have demonstrated antiviral effects of honey. Propolis and honey have shown promising anti-viral effect against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, the combined effect of honey and its products might open a door for developing a safe and highly efficient natural drug against COVID-19infection.