Honey 'could help fight cancer'
Honey and royal jelly could become part of the arsenal of weapons against cancer, researchers say.
A team from the University of Zagreb, in Croatia, found a range of honey-bee products stopped tumours growing or spreading in tests on mice.
Writing in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, they say human cancer sufferers may also see benefits.
But they said the products should be considered for use along with, not instead of, chemotherapy treatment.
Tumour growth
The researchers looked at the potential benefits of bee venom and honey.
They also examined compounds found in propolis, or bee glue, a resin-like substance which is used in the hive to varnish over rubbish in the hive - a bit like brushing the dirt under the carpet.
And they also looked at royal jelly, produced by the hypopharyngeal
glands in the head of the worker bee - used as food for young larvae, Tumours
were generated in the mice via the injection of cancer cells, and each
bee product was given to different mice before, at the same time, or
afterwards. It was found that giving
honey orally appeared to inhibit the development of tumours when it was
given before the injection of cancer cells - although if given
afterwards, it appeared to fuel the development of secondary cancers. Injecting
the mice with royal jelly at the same time as they were injected with
tumour cells significantly reduced the spread of the cancer. And injecting bee venom into the tumour appeared to lead to it shrinking. When
propolis or caffeic acid, a chemical found in propolis, were injected,
researchers saw significantly reduced subcutaneous tumour growth and an
increase in the survival time of mice. The researchers say it is not yet clear how bee products affect cancer cells. But
they suggest they may cause apoptosis (cell suicide) or have direct
effects which are toxic to the cells, or which help the immune system
fight the development of tumours. The
research team, led by Dr Nada Orsolic, said their study indicated
honey-bee products could be a useful tool in the control of tumour
growth in research. They added: "The
intake of honey-bee products may be advantageous with respect to cancer
and metastasis [secondary cancers] prevention. "Further animal and clinical research utilising these substances is suggested." Dr
Emma Croager, a science information officer at Cancer Research UK,
said: "There is no doubt that honey has beneficial properties and can
be very good for you.
Sumber: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4063377.stm