Cytotoxic Activity of Honey in Hepatoma Cells:In Vitro Evaluation

Abstract

Background: Honey is used extensively in south East Asia, Middle and Far Eastern countries as a sweetener as well as medication for its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties with no risk of resistance or side effects. Recent studies suggest that honey can modulate tumor growth by reducing cell proliferation and increasing apoptosis susceptibility. Objective: To find out the apoptotic effect of honey on hepatoma cancer cell lines. Methods: The growth of hepatoma cell lines (Huh-7) was checked by adding Honey to the cells before culturing in a 24 well plate. Wells were selected and labeled for each of the variables (controls, honey). After 2 days, cells were studied under an inverted phase contrast microscope and fields were recorded. Approximately four fields per slide of higher intensity were selected randomly to determine the dead cell density, and the procedure was repeated 10 or more times. Frequency and percentages were calculated for dead or alive cells in controls, honey and their mixture. Odds Ratio was used to compare the qualitative variables Results: Honey was found to induce cell death in hepatoma cell lines (Huh-7). At a magnification of 40x, the dead cells were 1% in controls whereas, 70.8% in honey. At magnification of 20x and 10x the dead cells density was 52.3% and 82.4 % respectively in honey treated cells compared to 4% in controls. Conclusion: Honey induced cell death in Huh-7 cells. Huh-7 exposed to honey have high probability of apoptosis/necrosis. Honey should be considered as co-adjuvant treatment against cancer. Key Words: Traditional Medicine; Honey; Hepatoma Cells (Huh7).