The scolicidal effects of honey.

Echinococcosis is a zoonosis that is caused by adult or larval tapeworms belonging to the genus Echinococcus. Until now, no studies have sought to determine the scolicidal effects of honey. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to explore the scolicidal effects of honey in different concentrations for various exposure times. Tubes that contained at least 500 protoscolices were supplemented with 1%, 5%, 10%, 25%, and 50% concentrations of honey. Tubes were maintained at room temperature for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 min. At the end of the incubation times, the viability of protoscolices was assessed through a trypan blue exclusion test. The effective dose of honey was applied intraperitoneally to determine whether it caused an anaphylactic reaction or hyperglycemia. Honey concentrations of 10% or greater killed all protoscolices. The scolicidal effects of honey began at the end of the third minute. Honey did not cause adverse effects when applied intraperitoneally. In this study, an investigation of the scolicidal effects of honey showed that it is highly effective at a 10% concentration. On the basis of in vivo study results, the investigators concluded that honey is a potent scolicidal agent.