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Microbes & Immunity Hyphaene thebaica honey as a multitarget therapeutic product

in honey, has been reported to suppress the expression of include the inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis, anti-
MMP-2 and MMP-9 in PC3 prostate cancer cells. 84,85 proliferative effects, anti-inflammatory action, and the
promotion of apoptosis. Recently, a wide range of novel
3.5. Total polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant polyphenolic compounds with potential anticancer activity
capacity have been identified globally. Some of these compounds
Honey serves as a robust source of natural antioxidants, show promise as anticancer agents, capable of treating or
which play a crucial role in protecting against the effects preventing cancer growth by targeting various stages of
of oxidizing agents on both food preservation and human cancer development, such as initiation, promotion, and
health. It contributes to the reduction of health risks such progression. 89
as heart disease and cancer and prevents the deterioration We employed HPLC analysis to isolate phenolic
of the immune system, cataracts, and various inflammatory compounds with potential anticancer properties from
processes. 8,20,25 As presented in Table 3, the TPC values were the honey samples under investigation. It is important
found to be 101.04 ± 22.46 mg Eq GA/100 g of honey. This to note that the polyphenolic composition of honey
value surpasses the TPCs reported in ten Palestinian honey can vary depending on the source of pollination, as well
samples from diverse geographical regions, which ranged as geographic and climatic factors. 47,90,91 Studies on the
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between 26.96 ± 0.71 mg/100 g and 70.73 ± 0.71 mg/100 g. Palestinian honey samples collected from various regions
These findings are akin to those discovered in thyme honey and floral sources revealed phenolic content ranging
from Morocco. The TFC values were recorded as 4.13 ± from 26.96 to 70.73 mg equivalent per gram of honey. 47,66
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0.31 mg Eq Q/100 g of honey (Table 3), which aligns with Table 4 outlines the concentrations (in mg/g) of several
the values reported for other Palestinian honey samples. 47 phenolic compounds identified in DH, including nine key
The ability of DH to neutralize DPPH free radicals, compounds: Gallic acid, caffeic acid, carvacrol, p-coumaric
represented as IC , was evaluated (Table 3). The acid, ellagic acid, kaempferol, pinobanksin, pinocembrin,
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observed IC (4.40 ± 0.71 mg/mL) was lower than the and galangin. Many of these compounds are known for
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values previously reported for other Palestinian samples, their potential health benefits, including anticancer effects.
indicating a correlation between the IC of DPPH free For example, caffeic acid, a phenolic compound found in
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radicals and the values of polyphenolic compounds, as well various natural sources such as honey, exhibits a range of
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as the TFC. 47,87,88 As mentioned above, the samples from biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,
DH exhibited a higher TPC compared to other Palestinian anticancer, and antidiabetic properties. 92,93 The therapeutic
honey samples, which could account for the lower IC effects of caffeic acid are thought to be mediated through
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values observed in DH compared to other honey samples. the repression and inhibition of transcription and growth
The determined TAC was found to be 3.05 ± 0.12 g Eq factors. 94
AA/100 g of DH (Table 3). Similar values were found in P-coumaric acid, a hydroxycinnamic acid found in
other Palestinian honey samples that have similar TPC. 47 cereal grains, fruits, and vegetables, has demonstrated a
range of health benefits, including antioxidant, antidiabetic,
3.6. Identification of phenolic compounds of DH by
HPLC
Table 4. Concentrations of constituent polyphenolic
A growing body of research, both in vitro and in vivo, compound and total polyphenols content in DH
has highlighted the anti-carcinogenic properties of plant- Phenolic compounds Concentration in mg/g DH
derived polyphenols on tumor cells. These properties
Gallic acid 0.37
Caffeic acid 0.68
Table 3. Free radical scavenging activity, TFC, TPC, and TAC
of DH samples Carvacrol 0.42
P-coumaric acid 5.03
Parameter Value
Ellagic acid 5.22
Free radical scavenging activity (DPPH IC ; mg/mL) 4.40±0.71
50 Kaempferol 11.88
TFC (mg Eq Q/100 g of DH) 4.13±0.31
Pinobanksin 5.00
TPC (mg Eq GA/100 g of DH) 101.04±22.46
Pinocembrin 2.02
TAC (g Eq AA/100 g of DH) 3.05±0.12
Galangin 4.09
Abbreviations: DPPH: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; TAC: Total
antioxidant activity; TFC: Total flavonoids content; TPC: Total TPC 34.71
polyphenols content, DH: Doum honey. Abbreviation: TPC: Total polyphenols content, DH: Doum honey.

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2025) 85 doi: 10.36922/mi.4994