A study has found that Manuka honey can be used as a natural alternative to prevent and treat breast cancer.
A study led by researchers at the Johnson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine in the United States found that Manuka honey was particularly effective against estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, the most common subtype of breast cancer, accounting for about 70 to 80 percent of all breast cancers.
In preclinical experiments on mice published this week in the journal Nutrients, researchers found that:
-Manuka honey inhibited tumor growth in mice with ER-positive breast cancer cells by up to 84% without affecting normal breast cells or causing major side effects.
-The higher the concentration of Manuka honey, the greater the inhibition of cancer cell growth.
-Manuka honey reduced the levels of signaling pathways upregulated in cancer, such as AMPK/AKT/mTOR and STAT3, which are involved in the growth and survival of tumor cells.
– Manuka honey inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells but did not affect the growth of normal human breast epithelial cells, indicating that it can target only cancer cells.
-Manuka honey induced apoptosis, or cell death, in breast cancer cells.
-Manuka honey has been shown to enhance the effectiveness of the existing breast cancer treatment tamoxifen when used together with the drug.
The researchers said the honey could be developed as a natural supplement or standalone treatment for ER-positive breast cancer, and would be particularly beneficial for patients who have difficulty tolerating conventional treatments.
“These findings provide hope for the development of natural, less toxic alternatives to traditional chemotherapy,” said first author Dr. Diana Marquez-Gavan of UCLA School of Medicine. “While more research is needed to fully understand the cancer therapeutic benefits of natural compounds, this study provides a strong foundation for further exploration in this area.”
According to this study, Manuka honey, which is well known for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties, was also found to be rich in compounds such as flavonoids, phytochemicals, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals. The anticancer potential of these compounds was confirmed this time.
Researchers theorize that one of the mechanisms of action of manuka honey is to block estrogen receptors, which may make it effective in treating hormone-sensitive breast cancer.
Manuka honey is a single-flavored honey extracted from the flowers of the Manuka tree, a plant native to New Zealand and parts of Australia. It is characterized by its abundance of methylglyoxal (MGO), which has antibacterial properties.
Reporter Park Hae-sik, Donga.com [email protected]
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2024-08-22 06:07:17