In a recent study published in the Nutrients , a group of researchers evaluated the antitumor activity of Manuka honey (MH) on human breast cancer (BC) cells and its underlying molecular mechanisms in both in vitro and in vivo preclinical models. Background BC remains a leading cause of death among women worldwide. Despite the effectiveness of endocrine therapy in treating estrogen receptor (ERα)-positive BC, resistance to treatment often develops, especially in metastatic cases.
Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind MH's antitumor effects fully and to evaluate its potential as a viable treatment option for breast cancer in clinical settings. About the study MH Methylglyoxal (MGO) 550+ and dehydrated MH powder were provided by Manuka Health New Zealand Limited. Stock solutions of the MH cyclopower powder were prepared by dissolving aliquots in a 15% ethanol/Hanks’ balanced salt solution buffer.
As controls, 5% dextrose and 5% Mesquite honey were used, along with W6 Cavamax, an α-cyclodextrin powder involved in the MH cyclopower powder's manufacture. All substances were dissolved in a cell culture medium as w/v solutions. Human BC cell lines were sourced from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and cultured according to their guidelines.
ERα-positive Michigan Cancer Foundation (MCF-7) cells were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) or Roswell Park Memorial Institute Medium 1640 (RPMI-1640) media, while triple-negative M.D. A.