Echium plantagineum honey: plant compounds and cell effects
What it found
In lab tests, the honey contained several polyphenols and no pyrrolizidine alkaloids were found.
Its extracts reduced NO levels in mouse cells by up to 40%.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
NO reduction in cells
Honey extracts reduced NO levels in mouse macrophage-like cells by up to 40% at 0.25 mg/mL.
Other findings
Polyphenols found
Several polyphenols were detected in the honey samples.
No pyrrolizidine alkaloids
No pyrrolizidine alkaloids were detected in any of the analysed honey samples.
What the authors conclude
“Therefore, this work highlights the health benefits of these honey samples.”
Also in their conclusions
- They highlight the health benefits of these honey samples.
How it was done
Honey has long been used in traditional medicine for its health-promoting properties. The authors wanted to check the quality of honeys from Echium plantagineum, a plant known to contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be harmful.
They looked for pyrrolizidine alkaloids and polyphenols in one monofloral and two multifloral honeys using chromatographic techniques. They also tested the honey extracts in mouse macrophage-like cells (RAW 264.7) to see their effects on NO levels and cell harm.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These are lab tests in mouse cells. They can't show what happens in people.
- The study looked at only three honey samples, so the results may not apply to all honeys.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
The paper
- Title
- Echium plantagineum L. honey: Search of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and polyphenols, anti-inflammatory potential and cytotoxicity
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Moreira R, Fernandes F, Valentão P, Pereira DM, Andrade PB (2020). Echium plantagineum L. honey: Search of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and polyphenols, anti-inflammatory potential and cytotoxicity. Food chemistry. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127169PubMed 32485580DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error