Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Preclinical study shows potential of Manuka honey as a nutraceutical for breast cancer
Medical Xpress / University of California, Los Angeles / Nutrients ^ | Aug. 19, 2024 | Denise Heady / Diana C. Márquez-Garbán et al

Posted on 08/21/2024 9:27:40 PM PDT by ConservativeMind

A study led by investigators found that Manuka honey could potentially be an alternative, natural option for breast cancer prevention and treatment—particularly for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, the most common subtype of breast cancer that accounts for about 70–80% of all breast cancer cases.

In preclinical experiments, researchers found:

—Manuka honey significantly reduced tumor growth in mice with ER-positive breast cancer cells by 84% without affecting normal breast cells or causing major side effects.

—Higher concentrations of Manuka honey led to a greater reduction in cancer cell growth.

—Manuka honey reduced levels of signaling pathways that are upregulated in cancer such as AMPK/AKT/mTOR and STAT3, which are involved in tumor cell growth and survival.

—Manuka honey reduced the proliferation of cancer cells but did not affect the growth of normal human mammary epithelial cells, indicating it might target cancer cells specifically.

—Manuka honey induced apoptosis or cell death of breast cancer cells.

—The Manuka honey enhances the effectiveness of existing treatments such as tamoxifen, a commonly used antiestrogen drug in ER-positive breast cancer therapy, when used to together.

Researchers theorize that one of the mechanisms of action of Manuka honey is to block estrogen receptors, making it potentially effective as a nutraceutical against hormone-sensitive breast cancer.

To understand the potential of Manuka honey as a natural treatment for breast cancer, the research team conducted a series of experiments in mice and in ER-positive MCF-7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, which represent two of the most common types of breast cancer. In these models, oral administration of Manuka honey resulted in a significant reduction in tumor growth compared to control groups.

The findings suggest that Manuka honey could potentially be developed into a natural supplement or even a standalone treatment for ER-positive breast cancer.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: breastcancer; cancer; honey; manuka; manukahoney
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-49 last
To: Omnivore-Dan

I had some darkest honey from bees eating Foxglove nectar and pollen. Was during a dry year so honey result was concentrated. Was the best!


41 posted on 08/22/2024 11:32:49 AM PDT by dennisw
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: steve86

yep
I keep the manuka honey in the medicine cabinet and all the other honey in the kitchen


42 posted on 08/22/2024 11:40:54 AM PDT by SisterK (it's controlled demolition)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: dennisw

My neighbor has about a half dozen hives, but he doesn’t grow very many flowers or fruits. That’s where we come in. Lot’s of clover in our lawn, lot’s of wildflowers on the edges of the lawn and woods, and my wife grows more flowers than she can keep up with sometimes, I do the veggies and fruits. So my neighbor’s (Bogey) bees visit our yard and have a smorgasbord every day, he gives me honey, I give him fruits and veggies that the bees have pollinated. It’s a win, win.


43 posted on 08/22/2024 12:06:29 PM PDT by Omnivore-Dan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Omnivore-Dan

You have a good trade going on. Where his honey bees are eating mostly from flowers etc on your land............ I have a few fruit trees too.


44 posted on 08/22/2024 1:51:33 PM PDT by dennisw
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: dennisw

Yes, we are lucky. Bogey has been our good neighbor for 3 years now. Previous neighbor was a scumbag. Nice to have good neighbors.


45 posted on 08/22/2024 1:55:55 PM PDT by Omnivore-Dan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: steve86

Yep- I had read that it works when other methods failed. Gotta make sure that the Manuka is sterile though as I think some can be bought that isn’t.


46 posted on 08/23/2024 6:04:36 AM PDT by Bob434
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Bob434

Yeah, I have thought about the sterility issue, although being such a potent antibacterial I wonder if that’s a genuine concern.


47 posted on 08/23/2024 10:55:19 AM PDT by steve86 (Numquam accusatus, numquam ad curiam ibit, numquam ad carcerem™)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: steve86

Yeah I’m not sure- being that it is applied to open sores, it might be an issue, but like you say, it is so potent that I would think the bacteria could not survive in it in the tube, but who knows?


48 posted on 08/24/2024 5:52:34 AM PDT by Bob434
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind
A little sourwood comb every day; an occasional dollop of manuka from New Zealand honey company, and I'm good to go.

Expensive? Like my wife said "So is chemo."

49 posted on 08/24/2024 6:13:36 AM PDT by who knows what evil? (Hospitals are the most dangerous place on Earth! Dr. David Williams)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-49 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson