Can Manuka Honey Fight Breast Cancer? New Study Shows Promising Results

Redacción HC
22/08/2024

For centuries, honey has been praised for its healing powers, but recent research brings one specific variety — Manuka honey — into the spotlight for an entirely new reason: its ability to inhibit breast cancer progression in laboratory settings. In a groundbreaking preclinical study led by UCLA researchers, Manuka honey significantly reduced tumor growth in mice and showed powerful effects on breast cancer cells in vitro, all while leaving healthy cells unharmed.

These findings offer a tantalizing glimpse into how natural products could complement traditional cancer treatments — but also raise important questions about what’s next on the path from lab bench to bedside.

A Sweet Solution to a Serious Problem?

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women globally. While current treatments — such as chemotherapy and hormone blockers — can be effective, they often come with serious side effects. Scientists have been exploring nutraceuticals, or food-derived compounds with therapeutic potential, as safer complements to existing therapies.

Enter Manuka honey, a monofloral honey produced in New Zealand and Australia, already known for its antibacterial and wound-healing properties. What’s new is its anti-cancer potential — particularly against ER-positive breast cancer, a subtype driven by estrogen receptors and typically treated with drugs like tamoxifen.

Inside the Lab: How the Study Was Done

In Vitro Experiments on Cancer Cells

Researchers first tested Manuka honey on two breast cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (ER-positive) and MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative). The honey was applied in concentrations ranging from 0.3% to 5%.

• In MCF-7 cells, proliferation dropped significantly — with the highest concentration producing an effect comparable to tamoxifen.
• The honey triggered apoptosis, or programmed cell death, via the activation of the AMPK pathway, along with reduced activity in AKT/mTOR and STAT3, key signals in cancer cell survival.
• Importantly, in healthy mammary epithelial cells (HMEC), no toxicity was observed, suggesting Manuka honey selectively targets cancer cells.

In Vivo Validation in Mice

The team moved next to animal trials. Female mice implanted with ER-positive human tumors were given Manuka honey orally (twice daily for two weeks, then once daily until day 42).

• Tumor volume in the treated group was reduced by 84% compared to controls.
• No significant weight loss or organ damage was observed, indicating low systemic toxicity.

These results are especially notable because they mirror the in vitro findings, suggesting that Manuka honey’s effects persist in living organisms — not just in petri dishes.

Why It Works: Molecular Insights

The study identifies several key mechanisms behind Manuka honey's action:

1. AMPK Activation: This energy-sensing enzyme helps halt cell growth by inhibiting mTOR, a driver of cancer cell proliferation.
2. STAT3 Inhibition: By suppressing this pathway, Manuka honey may help prevent inflammation and resistance to cell death — both common in cancer progression.
3. Selective Apoptosis: Cancer cells were pushed toward programmed death, while healthy cells were spared.

“It’s like flipping off the growth switch in the tumor,” the authors note.

These findings not only explain how the honey works but also differentiate it from standard therapies, which often lack this kind of selectivity.

Practical Implications: From Bench to Bedside?

Promising, But Not Yet Ready for Prescription

Despite the striking results, the study authors are clear: Manuka honey is not a cure, nor a replacement for conventional cancer treatment. The findings must be validated in human trials, and more work is needed to:

• Determine optimal dosing and bioavailability in humans.
• Test combinations with standard therapies (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone blockers).
• Evaluate its effects on other cancer subtypes, such as triple-negative breast cancer.

A New Frontier in Nutraceutical Oncology

Still, the research represents a major step forward in understanding how food-based compounds can play a therapeutic role. If future studies confirm the benefits, Manuka honey could one day be part of integrative cancer care — particularly for patients seeking low-toxicity alternatives or adjunct treatments.

What It Means for You and Public Health

The broader takeaway? Natural products like Manuka honey may harbor untapped therapeutic value, especially when backed by rigorous science.

In regions with strong beekeeping traditions, such as Latin America, this research opens doors to exploring local honeys for similar effects — potentially unlocking new, culturally grounded solutions to global health problems.

And for patients, this study is a reminder that science is increasingly embracing holistic perspectives, blending nature and medicine in ways that may redefine future treatment paradigms.

Conclusion: Nature’s Gold Shows Promise Against Cancer

This study adds to a growing body of evidence that natural compounds, when scientifically validated, can play a role in cancer management. Manuka honey, already celebrated for its antimicrobial properties, now shows early promise as a cancer-fighting agent — particularly for ER-positive breast tumors.

But while these results are encouraging, they are just the beginning. As clinical trials and further studies advance, we may see a future where Manuka honey isn't just a kitchen staple, but a therapeutic tool in the fight against cancer.

Topics of interest

Health