New Zealand Manuka Honey: A Promising Natural Approach in Breast Cancer Research New Zealand manuka honey may help prevent or treat breast cancer New Zealand Manuka Honey: A Promising Natural Approach in Breast Cancer Research

New Zealand Manuka Honey: A Promising Natural Approach in Breast Cancer Research

August 23, 2024

Well known natural health food, Manuka honey, a unique New Zealand variety known for its potent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, is gaining attention for potential future applications in breast cancer prevention and treatment. Recent research from the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center suggests that Manuka honey could be an effective, natural alternative option for prevention and treatment of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, a common form of breast cancer. While these findings are promising, it’s essential to emphasize that this study is preliminary, and much more research is needed before any definitive conclusions can be made.

Honey’s Positive Early Signals

In preclinical experiments, researchers tested Manuka honey on breast cancer models and observed results that show it is important to continue research.

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.

Dr. Diana Marquez-Garban, associate professor of medicine at UCLA and the study’s lead author, expressed cautious optimism: “The findings provide hope for the development of a natural, less toxic alternative to traditional chemotherapy. Although more research is necessary to fully understand the benefits of natural compounds in cancer therapy, this study establishes a strong foundation for further exploration in this area.”

How Manuka Honey Might Help

There is an urgent need for alternative treatments to help prevent the development of endocrine resistance and improve long-term breast cancer survival. Endocrine resistance is a major factor contributing to breast cancer being the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. New research has shown that Manuka honey, long known for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, is also rich in compounds like flavonoids, phytochemicals, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals.

These compounds have demonstrated anticancer potential at a molecular level by inhibiting pathways activated in cancer that induce tumor cell proliferation, growth, and metastasis. 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.

The next steps for researchers include investigating the optimal dosage and administration methods for Manuka honey in cancer treatment, as well as exploring how it interacts with other therapies. Larger, more diverse studies are also needed to assess its effectiveness across different patient populations.

In summary, the research identifies the door to exploring Manuka honey as a natural, less toxic alternative treatment. However, much more research is needed to determine its true potential. Those interested in its applications should continue to follow the progress of this research at UCLA.

UCLA Health Release

Márquez-Garbán DC et. al. Manuka Honey Inhibits Human Breast Cancer Progression in Preclinical Models. Nutrients. 2024; 16(14):2369.

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16142369