Manuka Honey Shows Promise for Treating and Preventing Breast Cancer

Preliminary findings indicate that Manuka honey might be an effective natural intervention for preventing and treating breast cancer. The research, conducted by scientists at the University of California Los Angeles Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, suggests that the honey may be particularly effective for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, which constitutes about 70 to 80 percent of all breast cancer cases.

Manuka honey, known for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, is rich in flavonoids, phytochemicals, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals. According to researchers, these compounds have shown anticancer potential by inhibiting pathways that promote tumor growth and metastasis. Previous research has suggested that Manuka honey might also block estrogen receptors, making it a viable nutraceutical against hormone-sensitive breast cancer.

For the study, published in the journal Nutrients, researchers conducted a series of experiments using mice and ER-positive MCF-7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, representing two common types of breast cancer. Oral administration of Manuka honey resulted in a significant reduction in tumor growth compared to control groups, underscoring its potential as a cancer prevention or treatment method.

In the preclinical trials, researchers found that Manuka honey demonstrated significant effects in combating ER-positive breast cancer cells. It reduced tumor growth in mice by 84 percent without harming normal breast cells or causing major side effects. Higher concentrations of Manuka honey led to a greater reduction in cancer cell growth, and it reduced levels of cancer-signaling pathways like AMPK/AKT/mTOR and STAT3, which are crucial for tumor cell growth and survival.

The research also showed that Manuka honey specifically hindered the proliferation of cancer cells without affecting normal human mammary epithelial cells and triggered apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in breast cancer cells. Additionally, when used with tamoxifen, a common antiestrogen drug for ER-positive breast cancer, Manuka honey improved the drug's effectiveness.

According to the study’s authors, these findings indicate that Manuka honey could be developed into a natural supplement or possible stand-alone treatment for ER-positive breast cancer, particularly for patients who develop resistance to traditional therapies.

“The findings provide hope for the development of a natural, less toxic alternative to traditional chemotherapy,” said Diana Marquez-Garban, MD, associate professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the study’s lead author. “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.”