Honey a Promising Candidate for Colon Cancer Prevention

Honey Constituents and Their Apoptotic Effect in Colon Cancer Cells
Journal of ApiProduct & ApiMedical Science, Vol. 1 (2) pp. 29 - 36

Honey finds a vital role in various applications using its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Our objective was to study the constituents and explore the apoptotic effect of the selected crude honey samples in colon cancer cell lines namely HCT 15 and HT 29…

MTT assay revealed the honey sample containing higher phenolic content showed significant anti-proliferative effect against colon cancer cells. Propidium iodide (PI) staining of 3 % honey treated cells indicated a significant number of cells accumulating in Sub-G1 phase (indicator of apoptosis) after 24 hours. Further, in HT 29 cells, honey elevated the caspase-3 level and displayed typical ladder pattern confirming apoptosis. Most of the drugs used in the cancer are apoptotic inducers, hence apoptotic nature of honey is considered vital…

Four kinds of honey from various geographical locations were analysed. The phenolic content, functional groups and flouorophore present in the honey varied among the samples…Further research illustrated that honey-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells depends upon the concentration of the honey and the cell line tested. Moreover apoptosis inducing ability of all honey types were different. Samples showing higher phenolic content and tryptophan residues displayed significant anti-proliferative potential. Cell cycle analysis suggested honey induces apoptosis by arresting the cells at sub-G1 phase.

Moreover, DNA ladder and activation of caspase-3 were found to be associated with honey induced apoptosis. Since most of the drugs used for cancer therapy are apoptotic inducers, apoptotic nature of honey is considered vital. Detailed investigation of mechanism behind the honey-induced apoptosis is in progress in our laboratory to further validate crude honey as a promising candidate for colon cancer prevention.