Anti-Cancer Effects of Heterotrigona itama Honey on Glioma Cells
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Anti-Cancer Properties of Heterotrigona itama sp. Honey Via Induction of Apoptosis in Malignant Glioma Cells
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Farizan Ahmad, Priatharsine Seerangan, Mohd Zulkifli Mustafa, Zul Faizuddin Osman, Jafri Malin Abdullah, Zamzuri Idris
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Anti-Cancer Properties of Heterotrigona itama sp. Honey Via Induction of Apoptosis in Malignant Glioma Cells
Year: 2019 | Doi: 10.21315/mjms2019.26.2.4
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Malignant glioma is the most prevalent type of brain tumor, characterized by its aggressive nature, rapid progression, and poor prognosis. The annual incidence of malignant gliomas is on the rise in Malaysia, contributing to a mean survival rate of only 14.6 months for affected patients. Despite advancements in treatment options, the infiltrative characteristics of malignant cells make management of these tumors particularly challenging. Consequently, researchers are increasingly looking for natural products that could play a role in reducing cancer cell viability and improving patient outcomes. This study investigates the anti-cancer properties of honey derived from the Malaysian stingless bee species Heterotrigona itama against malignant glioma cells, specifically the U-87 MG line.
Anti-Cancer Effects of Stingless Bee Honey
The research revealed that Heterotrigona itama stingless bee honey exhibits significant anti-cancer properties by inducing apoptosis in U-87 MG malignant glioma cells in a time and dose-dependent manner. A series of experiments showed that treatment with various concentrations of honey resulted in noticeable cytotoxicity, with the most substantial effects observed at 72 hours post-treatment. Notably, the IC₅₀ (the concentration required to inhibit 50% of cell viability) was reached at a 10% concentration of honey. Observations included morphological changes consistent with apoptosis, such as nuclear shrinkage and chromatin condensation, as confirmed through distinct apoptosis assays utilizing acridine orange and propidium iodide staining methods. These findings support the hypothesis that the phenolic and flavonoid constituents in stingless bee honey may play a significant role in its anti-cancer efficacy.
Conclusion
This study underscores the potential of Heterotrigona itama stingless bee honey as a therapeutic agent against malignant glioma. The demonstrated ability of this honey to induce apoptosis offers a promising avenue for future research into its mechanisms of action and possible applications in cancer therapy. Given the growing interest in natural products for cancer treatment, this research lays the groundwork for further evaluations of the medicinal properties of stingless bee honey in clinical settings, potentially enhancing treatment options for patients with malignant gliomas.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What properties does Malaysian stingless bee honey possess?
Malaysian stingless bee honey shows anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Its medicinal benefits are known to be attributed to pharmacologically active components like flavonoids and phenolic constituents.
How was the anti-cancer effect of honey tested?
The study evaluated the anti-cancer effects on U-87 MG malignant glioma cells using MTS assay for proliferation and acridine orange/propidium iodide dual staining for apoptosis.
What were the findings regarding cancer cell viability?
The results showed that stingless bee honey induced time and dose-dependent cytotoxicity in U-87 MG cells, with IC50 values determined at 10% honey concentration.
What conclusions were drawn from the study?
The study concluded that stingless bee honey from Heterotrigona itama shows potential as a therapeutic option for malignant glioma by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Anti-Cancer Effects of Heterotrigona itama Honey on Glioma Cells”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Honey:
Honey is a natural substance produced by bees and has garnered attention for its potential health benefits. It contains antioxidants and various bioactive compounds that contribute to its therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Various studies suggest its use in traditional medicine and as a dietary component for enhancing health.
2) Cancer:
Cancer represents a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation. Research in oncology focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind tumor development and metastasis. Innovative therapeutic approaches, including the potential use of natural products like honey, aim to improve treatment outcomes and patient survival rates in cancer care.
3) Line:
In the context of scientific research, 'line' often refers to a particular cell line used in experiments. These immortalized cells serve as a model for studying biological processes and testing the efficacy of drugs. The U-87 MG cell line for glioma research exemplifies the application of specific lines in cancer studies.
4) Study (Studying):
A study is a systematic investigation aimed at discovering new knowledge or testing hypotheses. In research contexts, such as pharmacology or oncology, studies examine the properties and effects of substances like stingless bee honey on cancer cells to evaluate therapeutic potential, safety, and efficacy for improving patient care.
5) Activity:
Activity in biological terms refers to the effect or response produced by a substance, such as a drug or natural remedy. The term encompasses a substance's ability to interact with biological systems to exert therapeutic effects, including anti-cancer activity, which is crucial in evaluating the medicinal properties of compounds like honey.
6) Death:
Death in a biological context often refers to cellular death, particularly in studies examining the effects of agents on cancer cells. Induction of cell death, especially through apoptosis, is a key endpoint in cancer research to evaluate the efficacy of therapies in eliminating malignant cells and improving therapeutic outcomes.
7) Food:
Food consists of various substances consumed for nourishment and health maintenance. In the realm of health research, certain foods, including honey, play significant roles in nutrition, contributing vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds that can have preventive or therapeutic effects against diseases such as cancer, thereby enhancing overall health.
8) Flavonoid:
Flavonoids are a class of phytonutrients found in many fruits, vegetables, and plant-based foods. They have strong antioxidant properties and contribute to health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. The presence of flavonoids in honey helps explain its therapeutic potential against cancer cells, making it a subject of interest in studies.
9) Table:
In scientific literature, tables present data clearly and concisely, summarizing experimental results for easy interpretation. They enhance the comprehension of key findings, such as the correlation between different concentrations of honey and its cytotoxic effects on cancer cells, aiding in conveying complex information efficiently in research papers.
10) Toxicology:
Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of substances, including drugs and environmental chemicals, on living organisms. Understanding the toxicological profile of compounds like honey is critical in determining safety and efficacy for therapeutic use, ensuring benefits outweigh potential risks in treatments, especially for vulnerable populations like cancer patients.
11) Trigona (Tri-gona):
Trigona is a genus of stingless bees known for producing unique honey varieties. Their honey is noted for its higher antioxidant and nutritional properties compared to that of honeybee-produced honey. Research on species like Trigona explores their contributions to health and potential applications in medicinal therapies, especially cancer treatment.
12) Post:
Post refers to a stage or time after an event has occurred, often used in scientific discussions to denote observations or results after a certain treatment has been applied. In studies of honey's effects on cancer cells, post-treatment observations reveal the outcomes on cell viability and death, guiding further research directions.
13) Detachment:
Detachment refers to the separation of cells from their substrate, a common indicator of cell death or apoptosis in cancer studies. Observing cell detachment after treatment with honey provides critical information about its potential anti-cancer properties, demonstrating how honey can induce cellular changes leading to cell death in malignant cells.
14) Knowledge:
Knowledge represents the understanding gained through research and study, crucial for scientific progress. In the context of honey's medicinal properties, knowledge accumulation drives interest and informs potential applications in health care, particularly in cancer therapy, where understanding its active compounds can lead to innovative treatments and improved patient outcomes.
15) Quality:
Quality refers to the characteristics or attributes of a substance that determine its value for use. The quality of honey is critical in research, influencing its efficacy as a therapeutic agent. Enhanced quality control measures ensure that honey retains its beneficial properties, thereby maximizing its potential as a health supplement in cancer treatment.
16) Species:
Species denotes a distinct group of organisms capable of interbreeding. In honey production, the specific species, such as Heterotrigona itama or Trigona spp., influences honey's composition and therapeutic properties. Identifying beneficial species informs research and agricultural practices, reshaping honey use in medicinal applications like cancer therapies.
17) Indian:
Indian refers to anything related to India, including its culture, people, and biodiversity. In the context of honey research, studies involving Indian stingless bee propolis have revealed potential anti-cancer activities, enriching global understanding of natural products' medicinal roles and inspiring further investigation into similar resources from various cultures.
18) Arrow:
Arrow signifies direction or movement towards a goal, often representing progress in scientific research. In studies concerning honey's effects on cancer, arrows in data visualizations indicate trends and outcomes—contributing to the understanding of how honey influences cellular behavior and potentially leads toward new therapeutic strategies.
19) Sugar:
Sugar comprises carbohydrates, essential for energy but potentially harmful in excess. In honey, naturally occurring sugars provide energy while offering health benefits through bioactive compounds. Research focuses on the balance of sugar content in honey; understanding its impact helps delineate honey's role in diet and disease management, particularly cancer.
20) Life:
Life encompasses the biological processes sustaining organisms, essential to health and medicine. The interplay between life and disease, particularly cancer, drives research exploring natural remedies like honey that enhance longevity and improve quality of life. Understanding how honey's properties can promote healthier living is fundamental to advancing healthcare solutions.
21) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
Anti-bacterial refers to the property of substances that inhibit or kill bacterial growth. Honey's anti-bacterial characteristics contribute to its use in traditional medicine for wound healing and infection control. Investigating these properties helps identify potential protective actions against bacterial infections in cancer patients, supporting overall treatment efficacy.
22) Inflammation:
Inflammation is a biological response to harmful stimuli, often linked to chronic diseases, including cancer. Substances exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties can mitigate these responses, enhancing health. Honey's ability to reduce inflammation is of great interest in research, suggesting potential benefits in cancer therapy by decreasing pain and improving patient comfort during treatment.
23) Hygiene (Hygienic):
Hygienic refers to practices ensuring cleanliness and health safety. In honey production, maintaining hygienic standards is crucial for preventing contamination. Such practices not only protect the quality of honey but also optimize its medicinal properties, making hygienically produced honey a reliable option for therapeutic applications, especially in cancer contexts.
24) Mineral:
Minerals are inorganic substances vital for various biological functions; they contribute to overall health and can participate in anti-cancer mechanisms. In honey, the presence of minerals enhances its nutritional profile, offering potential therapeutic benefits that may synergize with its other properties, thus playing a role in cancer prevention and treatment.
25) Mandal:
Mandal likely refers to a researcher or contributor involved in the study of honey's properties. Such individuals play critical roles in advancing knowledge and documenting findings, especially within the context of medicinal applications and the underlying mechanisms that support honey as a viable option in treating malignancies and other health issues.
26) Nature:
Nature encompasses the intrinsic qualities and characteristics of the environment and organisms. In the context of medicinal research, contemplating nature highlights the value of natural products, like honey, as alternatives or complements to synthetic therapies in cancer treatment, reinforcing the importance of biodiversity in healthcare applications.
27) Medhi:
Medhi appears to reference a contributor or researcher linked to specific findings regarding medicinal applications. Researchers named Medhi have contributed significantly to studies emphasizing the therapeutic efficacy and potential of natural products, enriching overall understanding of how these compounds can alleviate health challenges, particularly in oncology.
28) Aroma (A-roma):
Aroma signifies the distinctive scent associated with substances, influential in food quality, preferences, and therapeutic properties. In honey, unique aromas arise from floral sources and compounds, contributing to its appeal. Aromatic compounds in honey may also participate in its health benefits, thus integrating sensory experiences with potential healing properties.
29) Kaman:
Kaman likely refers to an author or specialist involved in the evaluation of honey's anti-cancer properties. Their research contributions assist in advancing our understanding of the therapeutic effects associated with honey, especially in cancer treatment contexts, cementing the relevance of collaborative efforts in scientific discovery and innovation.
30) Puri:
Puri may denote a researcher who has contributed to understanding the potential applications of substances like honey in health. Researchers named Puri often focus on aspects such as pharmacology and biochemistry, examining the mechanisms through which natural products act, ultimately informing new cancer treatment strategies.
31) Pur:
Poor refers to undesirable health outcomes, often associated with late-stage cancer, which presents challenges in treatment effectiveness. Understanding factors contributing to poor patient prognoses drives research towards discovering new interventions, including natural products like honey that may offer supportive effects and improve patients’ quality of life during treatment.
32) Discussion:
Discussion in scientific literature provides a platform for analyzing and interpreting research findings. It contextualizes data in the scope of existing knowledge, exploring implications and potential applications, particularly regarding honey’s anti-cancer effects. This essential section helps frame future research directions and the significance of findings within broader healthcare paradigms.
33) Substance:
Substance denotes a particular matter with specific properties, relevant in medical research to examine therapeutic effects. In the context of honey, identifying its chemical constituents aids in understanding how specific substances contribute to observed health benefits, especially as potential anti-cancer agents, advancing research toward viable treatment options.
34) Medicine:
Medicine involves the science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease. Natural products like honey are studied for their pharmaceutical properties, investigating how such substances can be integrated into medical practices, especially for conditions like cancer, where traditional approaches may benefit from complementary therapies.
35) Habitat:
Habitat refers to the natural environment where organisms thrive. Understanding the habitat of stingless bees, for example, emphasizes biodiversity and ecological factors influencing honey quality. The linkage between specific habitats and the medicinal properties of honey provides insights into optimizing honey production for therapeutic applications in health care.
36) Harvesting (Harvest):
Harvest represents the process of collecting honey, crucial for evaluating its quality and properties. Optimizing harvesting methods ensures that honey retains its beneficial compounds when utilized for health purposes. In the context of cancer treatment, proper harvesting practices can significantly impact the potential of honey as a therapeutic resource.
37) Medium:
Medium refers to the environment in which biological activities occur, including the culture medium for cell growth in laboratory settings. Studying substances like honey in various media allows for understanding interactions and effects on cell lines, vital for assessing the therapeutic potential of natural compounds in treating malignancies.
38) Throne:
Throne might symbolize the concept of a specialized structure or organization, often relating to the cultivation of stingless bees. Optimizing the habitat for stingless bees enhances honey production and quality, which is key for its medicinal potential, particularly when assessing its anti-cancer properties in scientific studies.
39) Water:
Water is a fundamental component in biological systems and influences the physical properties of substances. In honey, the water content affects viscosity, stability, and overall quality. Understanding water’s role in the composition and therapeutic attributes of honey helps inform its effective applications in medicine, especially for promoting health.
40) Eagle:
Eagle may represent a symbol of vision or excellence. Though not directly related to honey or health research, its connotation may reflect aspirations within scientific studies to achieve breakthroughs that enhance understanding of natural products like honey, ideally leading to improved health outcomes and therapeutic innovations in cancer care.
41) Hela (Helá):
HeLa refers to a widely used human cell line derived from cervical cancer cells, crucial in cancer research and drug testing. Its relevance extends to evaluating potential therapeutic agents, including those derived from natural products like honey, thereby influencing the development of targeted treatments and enhancing understanding of cancer biology.
42) Rich (Rch):
Rich denotes an abundance of nutritional or bioactive components. In the context of honey, its rich composition of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals contributes to its health benefits. This richness is vital in mediating therapeutic effects in cancer treatment, fostering interest in harnessing natural substances for innovative health solutions.
43) Drug:
Drug refers to a substance utilized in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease. The exploration of natural products, such as honey, as potential drug candidates for cancer therapies represents an innovative approach in pharmacology, bridging traditional practices with modern medicine, and substantiating their roles in improving patient outcomes.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Anti-Cancer Effects of Heterotrigona itama Honey on Glioma Cells’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Natural product, Treatment approaches, Statistical analysis, Oxidative stress, Anti-inflammatory, Anti oxidant, Reactive oxygen species, Apoptosis, Anti-cancer properties, Cell culture, Flavonoid content, Cell viability, Dose-dependent manner, IC50 value, Time-dependent manner, Cell proliferation, Cytotoxicity, Cancer cell line, Cytotoxic effect, Anti-proliferative activity, Cytotoxic analysis, Molecular mechanism, Anti-cancer, Morphological change, Working concentration, Chromatin condensation, Anti-cancer activities, Cell death, Cell line, Dose and time dependent, Pharmacologically active, MTS reagent, Polyphenols content, Apoptotic index, Apoptotic cell, Membrane blebbing, Molecular mechanisms involved, Free radicals scavenging.