Effects of honey and its mechanisms of action on the development and progression of cancer

Efficacy of Natural Products in Preventing Oral Mucositis Resulting from Cancer Therapies: A Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Oral mucositis significantly compromises the quality of life for patients undergoing cancer therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of natural products in either preventing or alleviating oral mucositis resulting from cancer treatments.

METHODS

A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted, sourcing data from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Airiti Library, and Wan Fang Data Knowledge Service Platform until August 2023. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021285433). Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA) and R software 4.1.3 were used for analysis.

RESULTS

From 1,556 identified articles, 36 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were analyzed, involving 2,083 patients. Honey, notably, was found to significantly reduce the overall incidence of oral mucositis compared to standard care, with a relative risk (RR) of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.67-0.96). It was particularly effective against moderate-to-severe oral mucositis (grade ≥ 2), reducing incidence with RR of 0.48 (95% CI: 0.30-0.75) versus placebo and 0.56 (95% CI: 0.34-0.93) against standard care. Other natural products, including propolis, chamomile, and P. major L., also demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing the incidence of oral mucositis. Regarding pain relief, honey, and P. major L. emerged as effective, significantly reducing pain severity with a mean difference (MD) of -2.96 (95% CI: -3.80 to -1.94) compared to placebo.

CONCUSSION

This network meta-analysis supports the use of honey, propolis, chamomile, and P. major L. as effective natural products in the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis among cancer patients. Specifically, honey is highlighted for its significant impact on reducing both the overall incidence and the severity of moderate-to-severe oral mucositis. By leveraging their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, integrating these natural products into the standard care regimen could markedly improve the well-being of individuals undergoing cancer therapy.

Investigating the Protein-Based Therapeutic Relationship between Honey Protein SHP-60 and Bevacizumab on Angiogenesis: Exploring the Synergistic Effect through In Vitro and In Silico Analysis

Honey is a natural product produced by honeybees, which has been used not only as food but also as a medicine by humans for thousands of years. In this study, 60 kDa protein was purified from Pakistani Sidr honey named as SHP-60 (Sidr Honey Protein-60), and its antioxidant potential and the effect of Bevacizumab with purified protein on in vitro angiogenesis using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were investigated. We further validated the molecular protein-protein (SHP-60 with Bevacizumab) interactions through in silico analysis. It showed very promising antioxidant activity by reducing 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radicals with a maximum of 83% inhibition at 50 μM and an IC50 of 26.45 μM statistically significant (**p < 0.01). Angiogenesis is considered a hallmark of cancer, and without it, the tumor cannot grow or metastasize. Bevacizumab, SHP-60, and both in combination were used to treat HUVEC, and the MTT assay was used to assess cell viability. To demonstrate in vitro angiogenesis, HUVEC was grown on Geltrex, and the formation of endotubes was examined using a tube formation assay. HUVEC viability was dose-dependently decreased by Bevacizumab, SHP-60, and both together. Bevacizumab and SHP-60 both inhibited angiogenesis in vitro, and their combination displayed levels of inhibition even higher than those of Bevacizumab alone. We investigated the protein-protein molecular docking interactions and molecular dynamics simulation analysis of MRJP3 (major royal jelly protein 3) similar to SHP-60 in molecular weight with both the heavy chain (HC) and light chain (LC) of Bevacizumab. We found significant interactions between the LC and MRJP3, indicating that ASN468, GLN470, and ASN473 of MRJP3 interact with SER156, SER159, and GLU161 of LC of Bevacizumab. The integration of experimental data and computational techniques is believed to improve the reliability of the findings and aid in future drug design.

Exploring the antibiofilm effects on Escherichia coli biofilm associated with colon cancer and anticancer activities on HCT116 cell line of bee products

The association between dysbiotic microbiota biofilm and colon cancer has recently begun to attract attention. In the study, the apitherapeutic effects of bee products (honey, bee venom, royal jelly, pollen, perga and propolis) obtained from the endemic Yığılca ecotype of Apis mellifera anatoliaca were investigated. Antibiofilm activity were performed by microplate assay using crystal violet staining to measure adherent biofilm biomass of Escherichia coli capable of forming biofilms. Bee venom showed the highest inhibition effect (73.98%) at 50% concentration. Honey, perga and royal jelly reduced biofilm formation by >50% at all concentrations. The antiproliferation effect on the HCT116 colon cancer cell line was investigated with the water‑soluble tetrazolium salt‑1 assay. After 48 h of honey application at 50% concentration, cell proliferation decreased by 86.51%. The high cytotoxic effects of royal jelly and bee venom are also remarkable. Additionally, apoptotic pathway analysis was performed by ELISA using caspase 3, 8 and 9 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. All bee products induced a higher expression of caspase 9 compared with caspase 8. Natural products that upregulate caspase proteins are promising therapeutic targets for proliferative diseases.

Mechanisms of piperonyl butoxide cytotoxicity and its enhancement with imidacloprid and metals in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The widespread use of chemicals and the presence of chemical and metal residues in various foods, beverages, and other consumables have raised concerns about the potential for enhanced toxicity. This study assessed the cytotoxic effects of Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and its enhancement by combination with major contamination chemicals including Imidacloprid and metals, using different cytotoxic and genotoxic assays in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. PBO exhibited elevated cytotoxic effects in poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) deficient CHO mutants but not in Glutathione S-transferase deficient CHO mutants. PBO cytotoxicity was enhanced by PARP inhibitor, Olaparib. PBO cytotoxicity was also enhanced with co-exposure to Imidacloprid, Lead Chloride, or Sodium Selenite. PBO induces γH2AX foci formation and apoptosis. The induction of DNA damage markers was elevated with PARP deficiency and co-exposure to Imidacloprid, Lead Chloride, or Sodium Selenite. Moreover, PBO triggers to form etch pits on plastic surfaces. These results revealed novel mechanisms of PBO cytotoxicity associated with PARP and synergistic effects with other environmental pollutants. The toxicological mechanisms underlying exposure to various combinations at different concentrations, including concentrations below the permitted limit of intake or the level of concern, require further study.

Anti-bacterial, anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing activities of honey: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Man has used honey to treat diseases since ancient times, perhaps even before the history of medicine itself. Several civilizations have utilized natural honey as a functional and therapeutic food to ward off infections. Recently, researchers worldwide have been focusing on the antibacterial effects of natural honey against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review aims to summarize research on the use of honey properties and constituents with their anti-bacterial, anti-biofilm, and anti-quorum sensing mechanisms of action. Further, honey's bacterial products, including probiotic organisms and antibacterial agents which are produced to curb the growth of other competitor microorganisms is addressed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this review, we have provided a comprehensive overview of the antibacterial, anti-biofilm, and anti-quorum sensing activities of honey and their mechanisms of action. Furthermore, the review addressed the effects of antibacterial agents of honey from bacterial origin. Relevant information on the antibacterial activity of honey was obtained from scientific online databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed.

RESULTS

Honey's antibacterial, anti-biofilm, and anti-quorum sensing activities are mostly attributed to four key components: hydrogen peroxide, methylglyoxal, bee defensin-1, and phenolic compounds. The performance of bacteria can be altered by honey components, which impact their cell cycle and cell morphology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review that specifically summarizes every phenolic compound identified in honey along with their potential antibacterial mechanisms of action. Furthermore, certain strains of beneficial lactic acid bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, Fructobacillus, and Lactobacillaceae, as well as Bacillus species can survive and even grow in honey, making it a potential delivery system for these agents.

CONCLUSION

Honey could be regarded as one of the best complementary and alternative medicines. The data presented in this review will enhance our knowledge of some of honey's therapeutic properties as well as its antibacterial activities.

Differential Apoptotic Effects of Bee Product Mixtures on Normal and Cancer Hepatic Cells

Most effective anticancer drugs normally generate considerable cytotoxicity in normal cells; therefore, the preferential activation of apoptosis in cancer cells and the reduction of toxicity in normal cells is a great challenge in cancer research. Natural products with selective anticancer properties used as complementary medicine can help to achieve this goal. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of the addition of bee products [propolis (PR) or royal jelly (RJ) or propolis and royal jelly (PR+RJ), 2–10%] to thyme (TH) and chestnut honeys (CH) on the differential anticancer properties, mainly the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects, in normal and cancer hepatic cells. The cytotoxic effects of samples were analyzed using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay (0–250 mg/mL) and the effects on apoptosis were analyzed using cell cycle analysis, TdT-dUTP terminal nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, DR5 (Death Receptor 5) and BAX (BCL-2-Associated X) activation, and caspases 8, 9, and 3 activities. Both honey samples alone and honey mixtures had no or very little apoptotic effect on normal cells. Antioxidant honey mixtures enhanced the apoptotic capacity of the corresponding honey alone via both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Of all the samples, chestnut honey enriched with 10% royal jelly and 10% propolis (sample 14, CH+10RJ+10PR) showed the highest apoptotic effect on tumor liver cells. The enrichment of monofloral honey with bee products could be used together with conventional anticancer treatments as a dietary supplement without side effects. On the other hand, it could be included in the diet as a natural sweetener with high added value.

Honey polyphenols: regulators of human microbiota and health

A comprehensive review of research over the last decade was conducted to carry out this work. The main objective of this work is to present relevant evidence of the effect of honey intake on the human intestinal microbiota and its relationship with the improvement of various chronic diseases, such as cirrhosis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and obesity, among others. Therefore, this work focuses on the health-improving honey dietary supplementation implications associated with specific changes in the human microbiota and their biochemical mechanisms to enhance the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms and the inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms. Consumption of honey polyphenols significantly improves people's health conditions, especially in patients with chronic disease. Hence, honey intake unequivocally constitutes an alternative way to enhance health and could be used to prevent some relevant chronic diseases.

Evaluation of the antioxidant potency of Greek honey from the Taygetos and Pindos mountains using a combination of cellular and molecular methods

Honey is a complex mixture, containing ~180 compounds, produced by the Apis melifera bees, with promising antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Nevertheless, the mechanisms through which honey exerts its effects remain under investigation. Plant antioxidants are found in honey and other bee products exhibiting a high bioactivity and molecular diversity. The aim of the present study was to estimate the antioxidant capacity of honey collected from areas in Greece by small‑scale producers by i) using in vitro cell free assays; and ii) by investigating the effects of honey varieties on the redox status of a liver cancer cell line (HepG2) using non‑cytotoxic concentrations. The findings of the present study will allow for the identification of Greek honeys with promising antioxidant capacity. For this purpose, six types of honey with various floral origins were examined in cell‑free assays followed by cell‑based techniques using flow cytometric analysis and redox biomarker level determination in order to evaluate the potential alterations in the intracellular redox system. The results indicated various mechanisms of action that are dependent on the honey type, concentration dependency and high antioxidant capacity. The extended findings from the literature confirm the ability of raw honey to influence the redox status of HepG2 cells. Nevertheless additional investigations are required to elucidate their mechanisms of action in cell line models.

The positive effects and mechanisms of honey against breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is a malignancy that occurs in cells in the breast tissue where cells in the breast divide and grow out of control, invade surrounding tissues, or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body.

METHOD

This review was systematically carried out through PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar websites in English and Indonesian using the keyword content of the article, obtaining 21 selected articles. This review demonstrates honey's promising mechanism of combined synergistic effect for breast cancer management.

CONCLUSION

Antioxidants in honey intercept free radicals of phenolic compounds which are the main factors responsible for the antioxidant activity of honey. The antimicrobial activity in most honey is due to the enzymatic production of hydrogen peroxide, and its anti-cancer properties are discussed in this section.

Modulation of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) by Gelam honey in bilateral oophorectomized rats

INTRODUCTION

Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) is a common condition in post-menopausal women. Symptoms of VVA include dyspareunia, vaginal dryness, vaginal and/or vulvar itching, burning and soreness, dysuria and vaginal bleeding accompanying sexual activity. These symptoms are physiological responses to hypoestrogenicity, inducing atrophy of the vagina epithelia and sudden reduction in mucous production. Prevailing therapy for VVA is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), notably estrogen, progesterone or a combination of the two. However, using HRT is associated with an increased incidence of breast and endometrial cancer, venous thromboembolism in the lungs and legs, stroke and cardiovascular complications.

METHODS

This study evaluated Malaysian Gelam honey as a nutraceutical alternative to estrogen HRT (ERT) in alleviating VVA. A total of 24 female 8-weekold Sprague Dawley rats underwent bilateral oophorectomy. A minimum of 14 days elapsed from the time of surgery and administration of the first dose of Gelam honey to allow the female hormones to subside to a stable baseline and complete recovery from surgery. Vaginal tissues were harvested following a 2-week administration of Gelam honey, the harvested vagina tissue underwent immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis for protein localization and qPCR for mRNA expression analysis.

RESULTS

Results indicated that Gelam honey administration had increased the localization of Aqp1, Aqp5, CFTR and Muc1 proteins in vaginal tissue compared to the menopause group. The effect of Gelam honey on the protein expressions is summarized as Aqp1>CFTR>Aqp5>Muc1.

DISCUSSION

Gene expression analysis reveals Gelam honey had no effect on Aqp1 and CFTR genes. Gelam honey had up-regulated Aqp5 gene expression. However, its expression was lower than in the ERT+Ovx group. Additionally, Gelam honey up-regulated Muc1 in the vagina, with an expression level higher than those observed either in the ERT+Ovx or SC groups. Gelam honey exhibits a weak estrogenic effect on the genes and proteins responsible for regulating water in the vaginal tissue (Aqp1, Aqp5 and CFTR). In contrast, Gelam honey exhibits a strong estrogenic ability in influencing gene and protein expression for the sialic acid Muc1. Muc1 is associated with mucous production at the vaginal epithelial layer. In conclusion, the protein and gene expression changes in the vagina by Gelam honey had reduced the occurrence of vaginal atrophy in surgically-induced menopause models.

Synergic Effect of Honey with Other Natural Agents in Developing Efficient Wound Dressings

Honey has been used for therapeutic and nutritional purposes since ancient times. It was considered one of the essential medical assets in wound healing. According to research, honeybees have significant antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and wound-healing properties. Lately, scientific researchers have focused on apitherapy, using bee products to protect and strengthen the immune system. Since honey is the most important natural product rich in minerals, proteins, and vitamins, it has been intensively used in such therapies. Honey has gained significant consideration because of the beneficial role of its antioxidant compounds, such as enzymes, proteins, amino and organic acids, polyphenols, and carotenoids, but mainly due to flavonoids and phenolic acids. It has been proven that phenolic compounds are responsible for honey's biological activity and that its physicochemical properties, antioxidants, and antimicrobial potential are significant for human health. The review also presents some mechanisms of action and the medical applications of honey, such as wound healing dressings, skin grafts, honey-based nanofibers, and cochlear implants, as the most promising wound healing tools. This extensive review has been written to highlight honey's applications in medicine; its composition with the most important bioactive compounds also illustrates its synergistic effect with other natural products having remarkable therapeutic properties in wound healing.

Kelulut Honey Regulates Sex Steroid Receptors in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rat Model

Reproductive and metabolic anomalies in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been associated with the dysregulation of sex steroid receptors. Kelulut honey (KH) has been shown to be beneficial in PCOS-induced rats by regulating folliculogenesis and the oestrus cycle. However, no study has been conducted to evaluate KH's effect on sex steroid receptors in PCOS. Therefore, the current study examined the effects of KH, metformin, or clomiphene alone and in combination on the mRNA expression and protein distribution of androgen receptor (AR), oestrogen receptor α (ERα), oestrogen receptor β (ERβ), and progesterone receptor (PR) in PCOS-induced rats. The study used female Sprague-Dawley rats, which were treated orally with 1 mg/kg/day of letrozole for 21 days to develop PCOS. PCOS-induced rats were then divided and treated orally for 35 days with KH, metformin, clomiphene, KH + metformin, KH+ clomiphene and distilled water. In this study, we observed aberrant AR, ERα, ERβ and PR expression in PCOS-induced rats compared with the normal control rats. The effects of KH treatment were comparable with clomiphene and metformin in normalizing the expression of AR, ERα, and ERβ mRNA. However, KH, clomiphene and metformin did not affect PR mRNA expression and protein distribution. Hence, this study confirms the aberrant expression of sex steroid receptors in PCOS and demonstrates that KH treatment could normalise the sex steroid receptors profile. The findings provide a basis for future clinical trials to utilize KH as a regulator of sex steroid receptors in patients with PCOS.

Kelulut Honey Ameliorates Oestrus Cycle, Hormonal Profiles, and Oxidative Stress in Letrozole-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats

Kelulut honey (KH) has been proven to have excellent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties with unique physicochemical characteristics. Therefore, we investigated the isolated and combined effects of KH, metformin, or clomiphene in alleviating oxidative stress and reproductive and metabolic abnormalities in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were given 1 mg/kg/day of letrozole for 21 days to induce PCOS. PCOS rats were then divided into six treatment groups: untreated, metformin (500 mg/kg/day), clomiphene (2 mg/kg/day), KH (1 g/kg/day), combined KH (1 g/kg/day) and metformin (500 mg/kg/day), and combined KH (1 g/kg/day) and clomiphene (2 mg/kg/day). All treatments were administered orally for 35 days. The physicochemical characteristics of KH were assessed through hydroxymethylfurfural, free acidity, diastase number, moisture content, sugar profile, metals, and mineral compounds. Additionally, we determined the semivolatile organic compounds present in KH through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. KH and its combination with metformin or clomiphene were shown to improve the oestrus cycle, hormonal profile, and oxidative stress in PCOS rats. However, KH did not reduce the fasting blood glucose, insulin, and body weight gain in PCOS rats. These findings may provide a basis for future studies to discover the potential use of KH as a complementary treatment for women with PCOS.

Therapeutic Benefits and Dietary Restrictions of Fiber Intake: A State of the Art Review

Throughout history, malnutrition and deficiency diseases have been a problem for our planet’s population. A balanced diet significantly influences everyone’s health, and fiber intake appears to play a more important role than previously thought. The natural dietary fibers are a category of carbohydrates in the constitution of plants that are not completely digested in the human intestine. High-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, have consistently been highly beneficial to health and effectively reduced the risk of disease. Although the mode of action of dietary fiber in the consumer body is not fully understood, nutritionists and health professionals unanimously recognize the therapeutic benefits. This paper presents the fiber consumption in different countries, the metabolism of fiber and the range of health benefits associated with fiber intake. In addition, the influence of fiber intake on the intestinal microbiome, metabolic diseases (obesity and diabetes), neurological aspects, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancer prevention are discussed. Finally, dietary restrictions and excess fiber are addressed, which can cause episodes of diarrhea and dehydration and increase the likelihood of bloating and flatulence or even bowel obstruction. However, extensive studies are needed regarding the composition and required amount of fiber in relation to the metabolism of saprotrophic microorganisms from the enteral level and the benefits of the various pathologies with which they can be correlated.

Evaluation of Effect of Honey Sugars Analogue Therapy against Breast Cancer Induced by 1-Methyl-1-nitrosourea in In Vivo Breast Cancer Model

The use of honey as a complementary and alternative medicine is associated with vast range of therapeutic promises. It is established that it exhibits potential innumerable medicinal effects which is attributed to it phenolic, flavonoids, and other diverse compounds profile. However, the effect of honey sugars analogue as its major constituent has not been investigated. This study examined the effect of honey sugars analogue (HSA) namely fructose, glucose, maltose, and sucrose in breast cancer-induced albino Sprague–Dawley (SD) rat models. The treatment was administered when first palpable tumour reached 10–12 mm in size by dividing nulliparous rats (n = 30) into following groups: Group 0 (negative control, n = 10), Group 1 (positive control, n = 10), and Group 2 (received 1.0 g/kg body HSA, n = 10) over a period of 120 days. The effect of treatment against breast cancer was observed with a slower tumour progression, a lower median tumour size, multiplicity, and weight (p < 0.05). The anticancer effect was through amelioration of tumour growth, tumour grading, and haematological parameters. Data also show that HSA administration induces an increased susceptibility of expression of proapoptotic proteins such as Apaf-1, caspase-9, IFN-γ, IFNGR1, and p53, and a reduced expression of antiapoptotic proteins such as E2, ESR1, TNF-α, COX-2, and Bcl-xL 1 in their mechanisms of action. HSA behaves akin to honey. Thus, HSA may modulate breast cancer as an analogue or major profile of honey.

Effects of Greek Honey and Propolis on Oxidative Stress and Biochemical Parameters in Regular Blood Donors

Background and objectives: Honey products contain a lot of compounds, such as vitamins, enzymes, and minerals, which make honey and its products a great antioxidant with a critical role in health status. It is well accepted that honey and propolis can improve a lot of health problems when they are consumed in certain quantities. The objective of this study is to help regular blood donors improve their health status after donation. Material and methods: Eighty regular blood donor volunteers—30 males aged 19–61 and 30 females aged 21–64—were divided into 4 groups: group A (n = 20) consumed 2 spoons of Greek honey and 1 drop of propolis per day for 1 month, group B (n = 20) consumed 2 spoons of honey per day for 1 month, group C (n = 20) consumed 1 drop of propolis per day, and group D (n = 20) did not consume any Greek honey products. Blood samples were collected from all participants just before the consumption of the products, one month after the consumption, and six months after honey product consumption had ceased. All samples were analyzed for reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid profiles, and ferritin levels. Results: The ROS were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in groups A, B, and C after the honey product consumption and increased significantly again after six months. No significant differences in lipid profiles were observed. Only triglyceride levels were increased after six months in all groups. On the other hand, ferritin levels were not statistically significantly decreased after six months in groups A and B, while they were increased in group C. Conclusions: In the present study, statistically significant decreases in ROS status was found after a small dose of honey product consumption, indicating a diet with an extra small dose of honey products after blood donation.

Potential effects of Saudi Shaoka (Fagonia bruguieri) honey against multi-drug-resistant bacteria and cancer cells in comparison to Manuka honey

The global spread of antimicrobial-resistant infectious diseases and cancer are the most widespread public health issue and has led to high mortality rates. This study aims to evaluate and verify the antibacterial and antitumor activities of Shaoka and Manuka honey against pathogenic bacteria, human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. Shaoka hone was analyzed using HPLC, UV–vis, and GC/MC, while antibacterial activity was measured by agar diffusion, broth microdilution methods, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Antitumor activity was investigated morphologically and by MTT assay. According to the presented data of HPLC analysis, Shaoka honey was generally richer in polyphenolic components, the antibacterial activity showed that Shaoka honey is equivalent or relatively more active than Manuka honey against a broad spectrum of multi-drug-resistant bacteria. It inhibited the growth of ESBL Escherichia coli in the absence or presence of catalase enzyme with a concentration approximately 8.5%–7.3% equivalent to phenol, which supported the highest level of non-peroxide-dependent activity. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) ranged between 5.0% and 15.0% honey (w/v). TEM observation revealed distorted cell morphology, cytoplasmic shrinkage, and cell wall destruction of treated bacteria. The selected honey exerted cytotoxicity on both cancer cell lines, inhibiting cell proliferation rate and viability percent in HepG2 and MCF-7 cancer cells, by different degrees depending on the honey quality, Shaoka honey competed Manuka inhibitory effects against both cancer cells. The obtained data confirmed the potential for use of Saudi Shaoka honey as a remedy, this well introduces a new honey template as medical-grade honey for treating infectious disease and cancer.

The modulatory effect of bee honey against diethyl nitrosamine and carbon tetrachloride instigated hepatocellular carcinoma in Wistar rats

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a serious threat to human health that has attracted substantial interest. The purpose of this study was to investigate the modulatory effect of bee honey against induced HCC by diethylnitrosamine/carbon tetrachloride (DEN/CCl4) in rats. HCC was induced by a single intraperitoneal dose of DEN (200 mg/kg B.W). Two weeks later, CCl4 (1 ml/kg) was intraperitoneally injected (three times a week). Bee honey was administered orally at 2 g/rat before and after the induction of HCC. The results showed that bee honey administration significantly increased body weight, decreased liver weight, and relative liver weight compared to those in the HCC-induced group. Moreover, a significant decrease in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as well as AST, ALT, GGT, ALP activities were observed in bee honey administration rats compared with those in HCC-induced group. Also, the hepatic MDA was significantly decreased; in addition, SOD, CAT, and GPx activities were significantly increased in groups treated with bee honey compared with those in the HCC group. The hepatic histopathology alterations caused by DEN/CCl4 injection were ameliorated by bee honey treatment. Likewise, the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor (TGF-β1), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), glypican (GP-3), thioredoxin (TRX), and glutaredoxin (GRX) were downregulated, and caspase-3 was upregulated by bee honey treatment compared with untreated HCC-induced group. In conclusion, bee honey has remarkable beneficial effects against HCC induced in rats through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antimetastatic effects.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The current study confirmed that honey has the potential to act as an antimetastatic factor. Bee honey supplementation either before or after combined injection of DEN/CCl4 exhibited inhibitory and ameliorative effects against DEN/CCl4-induced HCC through its antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-metastatic, antifibrotic, and apoptosis properties. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the molecular mechanisms underlying honey's effects against DEN/CCl4-induced HCC in rats.

Conventional and emergent technologies for honey processing: A perspective on microbiological safety, bioactivity, and quality

Honey is a natural food of worldwide economic importance. Over the last decades, its potential for food, medical, cosmetical, and biotechnological applications has been widely explored. One of the major safety issues regarding such applications is its susceptibility to being contaminated with bacterial and fungi spores, including pathogenic ones, which may impose a hurdle to its consumption in a raw state. Another factor that makes this product particularly challenging relies on its high sugar content, which will lead to the formation of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) when heated (due to Maillard reactions). Moreover, honey's bioactivity is known to be affected when it goes through thermal processing due to its unstable and thermolabile components. Therefore, proper food processing methodologies are of utmost importance not only to ensure honey safety but also to provide a high-quality product with low content of HMF and preserved biological properties. As so, emerging food processing technologies have been employed to improve the safety and quality of raw honey, allowing, for example, to reduce/avoid the exposure time to high processing temperatures, with consequent impact on the formation of HMF. This review aims to gather the literature available regarding the use of conventional and emergent food processing technologies (both thermal and nonthermal food processing technologies) for honey decontamination, preservation/enhancement of honey biological activity, as well as the sensorial attributes.

Bee Products: A Representation of Biodiversity, Sustainability, and Health

Biodiversity strengthens the productivity of any ecosystem (agricultural land, forest, lake, etc.). The loss of biodiversity contributes to food and energy insecurity; increases vulnerability to natural disasters, such as floods or tropical storms; and decreases the quality of both life and health. Wild and managed bees play a key role in maintaining the biodiversity and in the recovery and restoration of degraded habitats. The novelty character of this perspective is to give an updated representation of bee products’ biodiversity, sustainability, and health relationship. The role of bees as bioindicators, their importance in the conservation of biodiversity, their ecosystem services, and the variety of the bee products are described herein. An overview of the main components of bee products, their biological potentials, and health is highlighted and detailed as follows: (i) nutritional value of bee products, (ii) bioactive profile of bee products and the related beneficial properties; (iii) focus on honey and health through a literature quantitative analysis, and (iv) bee products explored through databases. Moreover, as an example of the interconnection between health, biodiversity, and sustainability, a case study, namely the “Cellulose Park”, realized in Rome (Italy), is presented here. This case study highlights how bee activities can be used to assess and track changes in the quality of agricultural ecosystems—hive products could be valid indicators of the quality and health of the surrounding environment, as well as the changes induced by the biotic and abiotic factors that impact the sustainability of agricultural production and biodiversity conservation in peri-urban areas.

The effect of Apis dorsata honey as complementary therapy on IL-37 levels and fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Apis dorsata Honey as a complementary therapy on IL-37 levels and fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

METHOD

The study used a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group. A total of 30 subjects were recruited using a concurrent sampling technique. The intervention group consisted of 15 subjects who received oral honey at a dose of 13 ml (1 tablespoon × 3) for 15 days, and the control group consisted of 15 subjects. The groups' samples were chosen at random. The Fatigue Symptom Inventory (FSI) was used to assess the side effects of chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Although the effect of Apis dorsata Honey on IL-37 levels was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), the group given honey experienced a clinically significant increase in IL-37 levels, with a mean before (632.37514.93) and post (632.37514.93). (1,003.021,248.88). Fatigue decreased statistically significantly in the group given mean honey values prior to 13.205.59 and after 11.805.07 (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Honey administration increases IL-37 levels clinically, though the increase is not statistically significant. Giving honey to patients with breast cancer can help alleviate fatigue caused by chemotherapy.

The Physicochemical Characteristics of Gelam Honey and Its Outcome on the Female Reproductive Tissue of Sprague-Dawley Rats: A Preliminary Study

Gelam honey (GH) is a prized natural product synthesized from the nectar of flowers from Gelam trees (Melaleuca sp.). Gelam is an evergreen tree species that grows in tropical regions such as Malaysia. GH is a multifloral honey with proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the beneficial effect of GH on female reproductive tissue has yet to be substantiated. Herein, we investigated the effects of GH administration on the uterine and vaginal epithelial thickness of sexually mature Sprague-Dawley rats. Epithelia thickness could be an indicator of an atrophy manifesting as a symptom of a cardio syndrome. Rats were given oral doses of GH in four groups for 14 days; the lowest dose was 0.2 g GH/kg body weight (bw) rat/day and the highest dose was 8 g GH/kg bw rat/day. The physicochemical characteristics of GH were assessed through hydroxymethylfurfural and moisture content determination and sugar identification. GH attenuated the atrophy of the uterine and vaginal epithelia and increased the thickness of the endometrial stroma and endometrial surface endothelial layer. However, the dissonance observed in the effect of GH administration on the vaginal epithelium requires further investigation. Nevertheless, GH may have a strong potential in attenuating uterine and vaginal atrophies.

Multidimensional Comparative Analysis of Bioactive Phenolic Compounds of Honeys of Various Origin

Honey is a natural product which owes its health benefits to its numerous bioactive compounds. The composition of honey is highly diverse and depends on the type of honey and its origin. Antioxidant capacity arises mainly from the total content of polyphenols and their composition. The aim of this study was to perform a multidimensional comparative analysis of phenolic compounds of honeys of various origins. Honeydew, buckwheat, manuka, Malaysian and goldenrod honeys had the highest antioxidant capacity (above 400 mg Trolox equivalents kg⁻¹). These honeys were also characterized by the highest total polyphenol content (about 2500 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) kg⁻¹) and the highest total flavonoid content (1400–1800 mg catechin equivalents (CAE) kg⁻¹). Other honeys had much lower antioxidant properties. A multidimensional analysis of the profiles of phenolic compounds showed that honeys constitute a non-homogeneous data set and manuka honey was in contrast to other samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) (based on 18 phenolic compounds) distinguished honeys into five groups. Manuka, Malaysian and honeydew honeys created their own separate groups and the location of other honeys was variable. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) analysis demonstrated that profiles of polyphenols in honeys were highly varied. Caffeic acid, datiscetin and rhamnetin were characteristic compounds for manuka honey. Quercetin, kaempferol and apigenin were present in all honeys except Malaysian honey. The antioxidant properties and the profiles of bioactive phenolic compounds of honeys were miscellaneous. The richest sources of polyphenols were local buckwheat and honeydew honeys, alongside exotic manuka and Malaysian honeys. These honeys could provide valuable ingredients to the human diet, helping to prevent diseases.

Honey and its protein components: Effects in the cancer immunology

The immune system plays an important role in cancer development, but some tumor cells can evade or inhibit the processes of innate and adaptive immunity. This review made a description of honey and its proteins effect on diverse mediators from the immune system. Scientific evidence reported that many types of honey (jungle, manuka, pasture, and others) and some isolated proteins enhanced the release of reactive oxygen species (O₂ ^- and H₂ O₂ ) and cytokines (mostly IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) by innate immune system cells. Furthermore, honey elicited proliferation and functions of T lymphocytes, cells related to specific adaptive immune responses. These studies have established a precedent over the honey and its properties on the immune system, demonstrating that it can promote the innate and adaptive immunity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Cancer is a genetic illness that represents a world health problem. Recognizing the potential of diet therapy in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, the present work summarizes the effects of honey on the immune system and mediators involved in cancer elimination processes, establishing the importance of this natural product as a future anticancer agent.

The effects of honey on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines: A narrative review

Honey contains flavonoids and phenolic acids, and because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, they may play an important role in human health. The purpose of this review was to synthesize the effects of natural honey on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The effects of honey on wound healing and immunity appear to be inconsistent. The available databases )PubMed and Scopus) were searched and 42 studies were assessed. In patients with cancer, honey has been reported to inhibit the effects of pro-inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-6. In patients with neuro-inflammatory disorders honey has been shown to inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory markers. It has also been reported that honey can reduce TNF-α expression in conditions associated with liver injury, by suppressing TNF-α converting enzyme activity. Honey inhibits APAP-induced hepatocellular necrosis by modulating the expression of IL-10 and IL-1ß. Animal studies have shown that honey can reduce serum IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α concentration and increase IL-10 concentrations in a model of gastric ulcer. Some studies in diabetics have shown that honey can reduce serum TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß and TGF-ß by inhibiting NF-Kß. The source and type of honey and its component have not been indicated in various clinical and practical studies, which are a limitation of these studies, in relation to reproducing them. Sigma, Manuka, Gelam and Tulang honey have been used in most of the in vitro and animal studies. The animal studies have demonstrated similar effects on pro-inflammatory factors, which include reducing serum TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β as well as increasing IL-10. There are few human RCTs investigating the effects of honey on inflammatory cytokines. Only one RCT has reported the type of honey that they have used. Tulang honey has been reported to increase serum TNF-α and decrease hs-CRP, which is therefore controversial. Further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of honey. Because most studies had used different duration, type of honey and dosage, which make them difficult to contextualize, as the phytochemical content of a honey may depend on its source. Furthermore, it is unclear whether honey's anti-inflammatory effects are related to its phenolic or tocopherol compounds, and whether its effects are greater than these individual components.

In-vitro free radical scavenging effect and cytotoxic analysis of Black Cummins and Honey formulation

BACKGROUND

The antioxidant potential and antiproliferative activity of the extracts of Nigella sativa seeds (Black Cummins) and honey formulations are to be explored.

METHOD

The gas chromatography-mass spectrum (GC-MS) and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) fingerprint of Black Cummins and Honey formulation revealed alkaloid, saponin, volatile oil, flavonoid, glycosides, sugar, and phenolic compound in the extract. GC-MS profiling of the cold extract of Nigella sativa seeds and honey formulation shows peaks for eleven fractions of compounds. Using TLC, the phenolic compounds of Nigella sativa seeds and honey formulations were separated.

RESULTS

The current study discovers the cytotoxic effect of black Cummins seeds and honey formulation on human ovarian cancer (PA-1) cell line as assessed by MTT assay. PA-1 cells were inhibited with the increasing concentration of Nigella sativa seeds extract and honey formulation.

CONCLUSION

The study validates the importance of the tested extracts in the treatment of cancer.

A Scoping Review of the Evidence for the Medicinal Use of Natural Honey in Animals

Honey has a history of medicinal use that predates written records. In recent decades, there has been renewed interest in the use of honey in human medicine, particularly for the treatment of burns and other wounds. Several recent systematic reviews in the human literature have demonstrated the efficacy of honey in the treatment of a number of conditions, including burns, wounds and oral mucositis. The goal of this scoping review was to describe the nature and extent of the current body of evidence addressing the medicinal use of natural honey and/or its derivatives in animals. Although the focus of this review was the veterinary literature, all animal species except insects and humans were eligible, including animals used for biomedical research. Electronic databases searched were MEDLINE, CAB Abstracts, AGRICOLA, Web of Science Core Collection, and Web of Science SciELO Citation Index. A total of 397 articles reporting 436 primary research studies were included in this review. The majority of the articles were biomedical research articles (n = 350); fewer veterinary research articles were identified (n = 47). Apart from one systematic review, all biomedical studies were challenge trials. Most veterinary studies were case reports/series (n = 23), followed by challenge trials (n = 18) and controlled trials (n = 8). The animal species examined within veterinary articles consisted primarily of dogs, horses, cats and cattle, whereas the majority of biomedical research articles examined rats and mice. Wound healing was the most common indication examined; other indications examined included the prevention or treatment of gastric ulcers, bacterial and parasitic infections, toxic exposures, metabolic conditions (e.g., diabetes) and neoplasia. The majority of interventions consisted of non-medical grade honey (n = 412/436), followed by medical-grade honey (n = 29/436) and derivatives of natural honey (n = 9/436). With much of the current veterinary literature consisting of case reports and case series, high-quality primary veterinary research in the form of controlled trials or challenge trials is needed to advance this field, as well as to provide sound data for evidence-based assessments of the efficacy of honey in clinical veterinary practise.

Honey and its nutritional and anti-inflammatory value

Inflammation is the main key role in developing chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, arthritis, and neurodegenerative diseases which possess a huge challenge for treatment. With massively compelling evidence of the role played by nutritional modulation in preventing inflammation-related diseases, there is a growing interest into the search for natural functional foods with therapeutic and preventive actions. Honey, a nutritional healthy product, is produced mainly by two types of bees: honeybee and stingless bee. Since both types of honey possess distinctive phenolic and flavonoid compounds, there is recently an intensive interest in their biological and clinical actions against inflammation-mediated chronic diseases. This review shed the light specifically on the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of honey polyphenols and highlight their roles in targeting inflammatory pathways in gastrointestinal tract disorders, edema, cancer, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and gut microbiota.

Effects of a polyherbal formulation on the quality of life and survival of patients with common upper gastrointestinal cancers: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Previous clinical trials have suggested that herbal medicines can improve the quality of life (QOL) and survival of cancer patients. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of a polyherbal compound (PHC, formulated as syrup) consisting of Allium sativum, Curcuma longa, Panax ginseng, and Camellia sinensis on the quality of life (QOL) and survival in patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized placebo-controlled trial was carried out on patients with esophageal or gastric cancer who had finished their oncological treatments. The patients were randomly assigned to PHC (n=20) or placebo (n=20) group. The PHC group was treated with the PHC for 12 weeks, while the placebo group received 70% sucrose syrup. The QOL was assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. The patients were followed for up to 24 months to determine overall survival.

RESULTS

PHC significantly improved cancer-related symptoms, physical performance, and psychological and social functions of the patients (p<0.05 for all cases). Death occurred in 33 and 22% of cases in the placebo and PHC group, respectively. The mean survival time was 16.8 months (95% CI: 12.8-20.9) in the placebo group and 21.4 months (95% CI: 19.1-23.6) in the PHC group but the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The PHC improved cancer-related symptoms, physical performance, and psychological and social functions in patients with gastrointestinal cancers. It seems that this herbal compound has the potential to be used as a supplement in the management of cancer.

Qing-Yu-Mu, an Herbal Formula, Reduces Hepatic Oxidative Stress in Rats Fed a High-Frying Oil Diet and Ameliorates Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Injury

Qing-Yu-Mu (QYM) is an herbal formula used to prevent and treat liver disease in Taiwan. In this study, the hepatoprotective effects of QYM were evaluated in two experimental models. First, rats were fed a high-frying oil (FO) diet containing 1.25% QYM for 5 weeks to investigate effects of QYM on hepatic oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activities. Then, protective effects of QYM on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced chronic liver injury were evaluated. Results show that QYM treatment reduced FO diet-induced hepatic lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species levels and increased glutathione (GSH) S-transferase activity. A higher reduced GSH/oxidized GSH (GSSG) ratio was observed after QYM treatment. Furthermore, QYM ameliorated CCl₄-induced liver injury by reducing the activity of plasma alanine aminotransferase and histological lesions in the liver. QYM also increased the level of hepatic GSH and activities of GSH peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. Finally, chlorogenic acid, chrysophanol, and apigenin were found to be present in relative abundance in QYM. Results show that QYM may exhibit a hepatoprotective effect by reducing oxidative stress and increasing antioxidant activity in the liver.

Manuka Honey Induces Apoptosis of Epithelial Cancer Cells through Aquaporin-3 and Calcium Signaling

Honey is a natural product with a long use in traditional medicine and is well recognized to regulate different biological events. It is an important source of various biological or pharmacological molecules and, therefore, there is a strong interest to explore their properties. Evidence is growing that honey may have the potential to be an anticancer agent acting through several mechanisms. Here we observed for the first time in a cancer cell line a possible mechanism through which honey could induce an alteration in the intracellular reactive oxygen species and homeostatic balance of intracellular calcium concentration leading to cell death by apoptosis. This mechanism seems to be enhanced by manuka honey’s ability to maintain high H₂O₂ permeability through aquaporin-3.

The anti-cancer effects and mechanisms of lactic acid bacteria exopolysaccharides in vitro: A review

Probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a particular group of gram-positive bacteria that are usually involved in natural ferments and widely used in food manufacture industry. Most of them can produce exopolysaccharides (EPS), surface carbohydrate polymers with diverse biological functions. LAB EPS are potentially complementary and alternative medicines against cancer. EPS show anti-proliferative effects on a variety of tumor cells from intestine, liver, breast, etc. They modulate the development of tumors through various mechanisms including promoting apoptosis, inducing cell cycle arrest as well as anti-mutagenic, anti-oxidative, anti-angiogenesis and anti-inflammatory effects. Bacterial origin, existence form, chemical structure, purity et al. are important factors affecting the anticancer effects of EPS. The future challenge lies in elucidating the precise structure-function relationship of LAB EPS. Besides, more in vivo studies and further clinical trials are indispensable to confirm the anticancer effects.

Pancreatic Cancer (PDAC): Introduction of Evidence-Based Complementary Measures into Integrative Clinical Management

The most common form of pancreatic cancer is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which comprises some 85% of all cases. Currently, this is the fourth highest cause of cancer mortality worldwide and its incidence is rising steeply. Commonly applied clinical therapies offer limited chance of a lasting cure and the five-year survival rate is one of the lowest of the commonly occurring cancers. This review cultivates the hypothesis that the best management of PDAC would be possible by integrating 'western' clinical medicine with evidence-based complementary measures. Protecting the liver, where PDAC frequently first spreads, is also given some consideration. Overall, the complementary measures are divided into three groups: dietary factors, nutraceutical agents and lifestyle. In turn, dietary factors are considered as general conditioners, multi-factorial foodstuffs and specific compounds. The general conditioners are alkalinity, low-glycemic index and low-cholesterol. The multi-factorial foodstuffs comprise red meat, fish, fruit/vegetables, dairy, honey and coffee. The available evidence for the beneficial effects of the specific dietary and nutraceutical agents was considered at four levels (in order of prominence): clinical trials, meta-analyses, in vivo tests and in vitro studies. Thus, 9 specific agents were identified (6 dietary and 3 nutraceutical) as acceptable for integration with gemcitabine chemotherapy, the first-line treatment for pancreatic cancer. The specific dietary agents were the following: Vitamins A, C, D and E, genistein and curcumin. As nutraceutical compounds, propolis, triptolide and cannabidiol were accepted. The 9 complementary agents were sub-grouped into two with reference to the main 'hallmarks of cancer'. Lifestyle factors covered obesity, diabetes, smoking, alcohol and exercise. An integrative treatment regimen was devised for the management of PDAC patients. This involved combining first-line gemcitabine chemotherapy with the two sub-groups of complementary agents alternately in weekly cycles. The review concludes that integrated management currently offers the best patient outcome. Opportunities to be investigated in the future include emerging modalities, precision medicine, the nerve input to tumors and, importantly, clinical trials.

Impact of Fermentation Processes on the Bioactive Profile and Health-Promoting Properties of Bee Bread, Mead and Honey Vinegar

Recently, an increasing interest is paid to bee products obtained as a result of the fermentation process. Some of them can be consumed directly (bee-collected pollen, honey, bee bread etc.), while others are the result of lactic and/or acid fermentation (honey vinegar and honey wine). Bee bread is the result of pollens’ lactic fermentation, whereas mead is obtained by honeys’ lactic fermentation. Moreover, as a result of honey acetic acid fermentation, honey vinegar is obtained. Sensory characteristics and aroma composition have been scarcely studied, which may depend on the starter culture and fermentation process. Along with the medicinal properties they are a vital resource for future researches as they are of particular importance in the food market. In this review, we discuss the aroma-active compounds, taste, and sensorial characteristics of fermented bee products along with the approaches that can be developed for the flavor improvement based on existing technologies. Furthermore, the beneficial effects on human health are also described, with special attention that should be attributed to finding the use of probiotics in these fermented products as health-promoting effects.

Aloe vera and Honey Solution and Their Ethanolic Extraction Solution Could Act on Metastasis-Regulating Processes in Walker 256 Tumor Tissues In Vivo?

Research has shown that both Aloe vera and honey have anticancer and nutrition properties, including the inhibition of metastasis. In order to evaluate the effect of a solution of Aloe vera and honey (A) and their ethanolic fraction (F) on metastasis-regulating processes in primary tumors, Wistar rats were subcutaneously implanted with Walker 256 tumors and treated with A and F (670 µl/kg by gavage, daily for 21 days). An analysis of the primary tumor tissues of these animals showed a decrease in N-cadherin expression in groups WA and WF, with a concomitant increase in E-cadherin expression in group WA compared to the control group. Cathepsin D activity was also decreased in the tumor tissues from groups WA and WF. In addition, the number of blood vessels and their diameter significantly reduced in tumor tissues from groups WA and WF compared to those from control group. UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of the samples A and F, suggested presence of molecules with verified antitumor activity, including caffeic acid, ferulic acid, mannose, aloin A, aloin B, pinocembrin, chrysin, and kaempferol. These data showed that treatment with A and F could reduce the metastatic propensity of tumors by modulating neoangiogenesis and the process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

Protective effects of alpha stone on monosodium glutamate-induced uterine hyperplasia in female wistar rats

BACKGROUND

Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids), a menace of the reproductive age, is characterized by proliferation of smooth muscle cells (hyperplasia) of the uterus. Alpha Stone Decoction is a poly-herbal formulation that is used for the shrinkage and prevention of uterine fibroids in folkore medicine.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the efficacy and safety of Alpha Stone Decoction (ASD), on monosodium glutamate (MSG) induced uterine hyperplasia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-eight mature virgin female rats were randomly divided into four study groups: A-control B- MSG (200 mg/kgbw), C- MSG + ASD (100 mg/kgbw) and D- ASD 100 mg/kgbw alone. The administration was carried out by as a single daily dose via intraperitoneal route for 14 days. Total protein, triglycerides, estradiol (estrogen), progesterone, and total cholesterol levels in sera were determined using appropriate kits. Uterine hyperplasia was assessed via histomorphometric method using the mitotic image plus software to compute the fibroblast cell count density while the uteri and ovaries of animals were stained with mason-tricon stain for histological examination.

RESULTS

Administration of MSG for 14 days resulted heavy deposits of collagen connective tissue within the myometrium layers of the uteri. ASD significantly (p < 0.05) reduced fibroblast cell count in MSG-treated animals and also protected against MSG-induced damage observed in the myometrium of the uteri and ovaries of the animals. Significant increases (p < 0.05) in levels of total protein; triglycerides, progesterone, cholesterol and estrogen in the MSG-treated animals were ameliorated following administration of ASD.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that ASD contains bioactive agents which reversed MSG-induced uterine hyperplasia. It may therefore be useful in reducing the proliferation of fibroblast cells and managing other symptoms associated with uterine myoma.

Honey Extracts Exhibit Cytoprotective Properties against UVB-Induced Photodamage in Human Experimental Skin Models

In the present study, we aimed to examine the antioxidant, antiaging and photoprotective properties of Greek honey samples of various botanical and geographical origin. Ethyl-acetate extracts were used and the and the total phenolic/flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity were evaluated. Honey extracts were then studied for their cytoprotective properties against UVB-induced photodamage using human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT) and/or reconstituted human skin tissue models. Specifically, the cytotoxicity, oxidative status, DNA damage and gene expression levels of specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were examined. Overall, the treatment of HaCaT cells with honey extracts resulted in lower levels of DNA strand breaks and attenuated the decrease in cell viability following UVB exposure. Additionally, honey extracts significantly decreased the total protein carbonyl content of the irradiated cells, however, they had no significant effect on their total antioxidant status. Finally, the extracts alleviated the UVB-induced up-regulation of MMPs-3, -7 and -9 in a model of reconstituted skin tissue. In conclusion, honey extracts exhibited significant photoprotective and antiaging properties under UVB exposure conditions and thus could be further exploited as promising agents for developing novel and naturally-based, antiaging cosmeceutical products.

Effect of Kelulut Honey on the Cellular Dynamics of TGFβ-Induced Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Primary Human Keratinocytes

Over-induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) by tumor growth factor beta (TGFβ) in keratinocytes is a key feature in keloid scar. The present work seeks to investigate the effect of Kelulut honey (KH) on TGFβ-induced EMT in human primary keratinocytes. Image analysis of the real time observation of TGFβ-induced keratinocytes revealed a faster wound closure and individual migration velocity compared to the untreated control. TGFβ-induced keratinocytes also have reduced circularity and display a classic EMT protein expression. Treatment of 0.0015% (v/v) KH reverses these effects. In untreated keratinocytes, KH resulted in slower initial wound closure and individual migration velocity, which sped up later on, resulting in greater wound closure at the final time point. KH treatment also led to greater directional migration compared to the control. KH treatment caused reduced circularity in keratinocytes but displayed a partial EMT protein expression. Taken together, the findings suggest the therapeutic potential of KH in preventing keloid scar by attenuating TGFβ-induced EMT.

Protective effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) against diethylnitrosamine-induced renal injury in rats

Context: The kidney plays a central role in detoxification and excretion of toxic metabolites, and therefore, is susceptible to toxicity by xenobiotics.Objective: To investigate the protective effect of Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) powder and its essential (volatile) oil against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced renal injury in rats.Materials and methods: Phenolic and flavonoid components were characterised in rosemary powder using HPLC-UV instrument while rosemary essential oil (E.O) was investigated via GC-MS technique. In rat model, rosemary was administrated orally (in diet) for two months. Lipid profile, antioxidant biomarkers, kidney functions and histopathological examinations were assessed.Results: Hesperidin (4878.88 ppm) and ellagic acid (403.57 ppm) are among the major phenolic and flavonoid constituents in rosemary powder. Camphor (18.36%) and α-pinene (12.74%) represent the main E.O active ingredients. Rats treated with rosemary E.O showed a significant elevation in serum HDL (28.28%) accompanied by a decrease in LDL (115.47%). A significant decrease in serum creatinine and urea was also reported (69.72 and 109.89%, respectively). Moreover, serum glutathione peroxidise (GSH-Px) activity has been significantly increased. Kidney histopathological examinations confirmed the protective effect against DEN-induced abnormalities.Conclusion: Rosemary (powder/E.O) was able to reduce or even prevent the severity of diethylnitrosamine-induced renal dysfunction.

Evaluation of the In Vitro Wound-Healing Activity and Phytochemical Characterization of Propolis and Honey

Honey and propolis are natural substances produced by Apis mellifera that contain flavonoids, phenolic acids, and several other phytochemicals. The aim of this study was to phytochemically characterize three different types of honey and propolis, both separately and mixed, and to evaluate their wound-healing activity. Total phenolic compounds and flavonoids were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu’s and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by both the DPPH free radical scavenging assay and β-carotene bleaching test, and the anti-inflammatory activity was determined by a protein denaturation method. To evaluate the wound-healing activity of the samples, NHDF cells were subjected to a wound scratch assay. The obtained results showed that dark-brown honey presents a higher concentration of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, as well as higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Propolis samples had the highest concentrations in bioactive compounds. Examining the microscopic images, it was possible to verify that the samples promote cell migration, demonstrating the wound-healing potential of honey and propolis.

Therapeutic and preventive properties of honey and its bioactive compounds in cancer: an evidence-based review

Despite the much improved therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment that have been developed over the past 50 years, cancer remains a major cause of mortality globally. Considerable epidemiological and experimental evidence has demonstrated an association between ingestion of food and nutrients with either an increased risk for cancer or its prevention. There is rising interest in exploring agents derived from natural products for chemoprevention or for therapeutic purposes. Honey is rich in nutritional and non-nutritional bioactive compounds, as well as in natural antioxidants, and its potential beneficial function in human health is becoming more evident. A large number of studies have addressed the anti-cancer effects of different types of honey and their phenolic compounds using in vitro and in vivo cancer models. The reported findings affirm that honey is an agent able to modulate oxidative stress and has anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory and anti-metastatic properties. However, despite its reported anti-cancer activities, very few clinical studies have been undertaken. In the present review, we summarise the findings from different experimental approaches, including in vitro cell cultures, preclinical animal models and clinical studies, and provide an overview of the bioactive profile and bioavailability of the most commonly studied honey types, with special emphasis on the chemopreventive and therapeutic properties of honey and its major phenolic compounds in cancer. The implications of these findings as well as the future prospects of utilising honey to fight cancer will be discussed.

Oligosaccharides Isolated from MGO™ Manuka Honey Inhibit the Adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia Coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus Aureus to Human HT-29 cells

Historically, honey is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities and its use for treatment of wound infections. Although this practice has been in place for millennia, little information exists regarding which manuka honey components contribute to the protective nature of this product. Given that sugar accounts for over 80% of honey and up to 25% of this sugar is composed of oligosaccharides, we have investigated the anti-infective activity of manuka honey oligosaccharides against a range of pathogens. Initially, oligosaccharides were extracted from a commercially-available New Zealand manuka honey-MGO™ Manuka Honey (Manuka Health New Zealand Ltd)-and characterized by High pH anion exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperiometric detection. The adhesion of specific pathogens to the human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line, HT-29, was then assessed in the presence and absence of these oligosaccharides. Manuka honey oligosaccharides significantly reduced the adhesion of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (by 40%), Staphylococcus aureus (by 30%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (by 52%) to HT-29 cells. This activity was then proven to be concentration dependent and independent of bacterial killing. This study identifies MGO™ Manuka Honey as a source of anti-infective oligosaccharides for applications in functional foods aimed at lowering the incidence of infectious diseases.