Manuka honey could become a promising natural alternative for preventing and treating the most common type of breast cancer, according to a study that has proven its ability to shrink tumors without affecting healthy cells.
Research led by scientists at UCLA Health’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has found that manuka honey, long known for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, is also rich in flavonoids, phytochemicals, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids and minerals – compounds that have demonstrated anti-cancer potential at the molecular level by inhibiting pathways activated in cancer that induce tumor cell proliferation, growth and metastasis – potentially making this food an alternative natural option for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, particularly estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, the most common subtype accounting for about 70–80% of all breast cancer cases.
In preclinical experiments, researchers observed that manuka honey:
- It significantly reduced tumor growth in mice with ER+ breast cancer cells by 84%, without affecting normal breast cells or causing major side effects.
- Higher concentrations of this food caused a greater reduction in cancer cell growth.
- It decreased the levels of signaling pathways that are elevated in cancer, such as AMPK/AKT/mTOR and STAT3, which are involved in the growth and survival of tumor cells.
- It reduced cancer cell proliferation without affecting the growth of normal human mammary epithelial cells, suggesting that it might be able to specifically target cancer cells.
- It induced apoptosis or cell death in breast cancer cells.
- Furthermore, it enhanced the effectiveness of existing treatments such as tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen drug commonly used in ER+ breast cancer therapy, when used together.
A natural therapy that inhibits breast tumor growth
There is an urgent need for alternative treatments to prevent the development of endocrine resistance and improve long-term survival in breast cancer patients. Endocrine resistance is a key factor contributing to breast cancer being the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Researchers theorize that one of manuka honey’s mechanisms of action is to block estrogen receptors, making it a potential nutraceutical tool against hormone-sensitive breast cancer.
To explore 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+ 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. This remarkable inhibition of tumor progression underscores the potential of honey as a treatment for the prevention or treatment of cancer.
“The results provide hope for the development of a natural and less toxic alternative to traditional chemotherapy”
The findings have been published in the journal Nutrients and suggest that manuka honey could be developed as a natural supplement, or even as a stand-alone treatment for ER+ breast cancer, especially for those patients who are resistant to traditional therapies.
“The results provide hope for the development of a natural, less toxic alternative to traditional chemotherapy,” said Dr. Diana Marquez-Garban, associate professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and first author of the study. “While more research is needed to fully understand the benefits of natural compounds in cancer therapy, this study lays a solid foundation for continuing to explore this area.”
