EVALUATION OF THE PROTEOLYTIC AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF THISTLE HONEY

Abstract

Functional food plays a vital role in promoting human health. Honey is one of these foods that have high nutritional value and medicinal properties. The main aim of this study is to investigate the total content of proteins, phenols and carotenoids in thistle honey extract and to evaluate the biological activities. In addition, to investigate the proteolytic activity of the extract and whether it contains inhibitors for other proteolytic enzymes. Casein was used as a substrate for the proteolytic analysis and for the determination of kinetic parameters (Km, Vmax) of the extract. Melissopalynological results showed that the honey samples have different plant origins, and this explains the different chemical contents and biological activities of thistle extract. It was found that the extract contained considerable amounts of carotenoids, proteins, and phenolic compounds. In addition, the extract exhibited 72.33%, 54.422%, and 63.599% of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hemolytic potentials, respectively. Furthermore, results revealed that the extract of thistle honey had proteolytic activity using casein as a substrate and performed an activation effect on the therapeutic enzymes, namely, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and papain. Thistle honey extract was of high nutritional and therapeutic value. This attribute grants it suitability for inclusion in a wide array of pharmaceutical formulations and for the prophylaxis of numerous autoimmune and chronic disorders.