Nigella sativa and Saudi honey diminish infections and improve the survival in a kostmann's syndrome patient: Case report

Severe chronic neutropenia is the main feature of infantile genetic agranulocytosis (Kostmann's Syndrome) associated with recurrent febrile bacterial infections episodes with fatal outcome. This study evaluated the effects of Nigella sativa seeds (Black seeds) and Saudi honey supplementation on the survival rate and frequency of febrile episodes of a Kostmann's syndrome patient. The patient was diagnosed with Kostmann's syndrome at 7 months of age and showed persistent neutropenia with an absolute neutrophilic count of 0.2 × 109/L and was admitted 26 times for infection in the first 2 years of his life. Unfortunately, he had no human leukocyte antigen matching donor for stem cell transplant and developed a cataract after being given granulocyte colony stimulating factor therapy Filgrastim. After supplementation with Nigella sativa and honey, the patient showed dramatic improvement. There was no admitting history to the hospital related to infection, and he has resumed a normal life style with regular school attendance. The patient is currently 15 years old. It would be concluded that a synergetic effect exists between Nigella sativa and honey which will improve the potency of the immune system with a marked reduction in infection and improved his survival. Further studies are needed to confirm the conclusion

Effects of Honey on Oral Mucositis among Pediatric Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemo/Radiotherapy Treatment at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

One of the most common complications of cancer chemotherapy is oral mucositis. This study evaluates the therapeutic effects of honey with the focus on grade III and IV oral mucositis, reduction of bacterial and fungal infections, duration of episodes of oral mucositis, and body weight in pediatric leukemic patients undergoing chemo/radiotherapy. This is an open labeled randomized controlled study conducted at our hospital on 40 pediatric cancer patients undergoing chemo/radiotherapy. All the 40 patients included in this study experienced a sum total of 390 episodes of fever and neutropenia associated with oral mucositis. A significant reduction of oral mucositis, associated Candida, and aerobic pathogenic bacterial infections was noted in patients in the honey treatment group. Also, there is a significant decrease in the duration of hospitalization for all those in the treatment group combined with a significant increase of body weight, delayed onset, and decreased severity of pain related to oral mucositis. Complications of oral mucositis can be tremendously reduced by the topical application of local Saudi honey and honey should be used as an integrative approach in prophylaxis and treatment of chemo/radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis in pediatric cancer patients. Further research is needed to elucidate and better understand the underlying mechanism