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Microbes & Immunity Broad-spectrum health benefits of honey

3.3. Antiviral activity flavonoids that can affect the cell cycle preventing cancer

Honey has some antiviral properties, especially in cell proliferation. 76-79
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inhibiting viral replication. Honey contains flavonoids Márquez-Garbán et al. found that Manuka honey
such as quercetin, which can block the spread of viruses, inhibited the proliferation and survival of mouse breast
as well as polyphenols, which can reduce inflammatory cancer MCF-7 cells by activating the AMPK signaling
responses and reduce tissue damage. pathway and blocking signaling in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR
pathway and STAT-3 pathway, as well as being able to reduce
Computer simulations have been used to model the
protective effects of honey in COVID-19, revealing that the size of the tumor and enhance the drug’s anticancer
effect when used in combination with tamoxifen. The study
flavonoids and phenols in honey inhibit viral entry into claims that natural phytoestrogens contained in honey may
host cells and suppress RNA polymerase activity, thereby
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preventing viral replication. Rocha et al. compared be the source of the anticancer activity, with a chemical
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structure similar to that of estrogen in mammals.
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honey with acyclovir in the treatment of the herpes
simplex virus (HSV) and found that honey can promote Research has explored the anti-metastatic potential of
recovery rate from herpes, promote healing of damaged Manuka honey on colon cancer stem-like cells, revealing
tissues, reduce HSV recurrence, and is suitable as a novel its ability to regulate key transcription factors involved
adjunct therapy for patients resistant to acyclovir. in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, such as Slug, Snail,
and Twist, to reduce cancer cell metastasis. In addition,
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3.4. Antiparasitic activity Manuka honey was found to modulate the c-Myc gene,
Parasites constitute a significant part of the etiology of various leading to telomere shortening in cancer stem cells and
infectious diseases. Honey is not only antibacterial and limiting their reproductive capacity.
antiviral but also exhibits inhibitory effects on parasites. Its When used in combination with the chemotherapeutic
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anti-parasitic activity is attributed to its anti-inflammatory drug 5-fluorouracil, honey enhances the therapeutic effect
and antioxidant properties, as well as its ability to modulate of the drug, with potential synergistic effects, and helps to
the immune system to combat parasitic infections. reduce the resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Bouali
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Manuka honey has been found to inhibit the growth et al. found that Sidr honey also showed inhibitory effects
of parasites such as tapeworms and hookworms. The on breast and colon cancer, not only inhibiting the growth
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polysaccharides and phenolics in honey are able to affect of cancer cells but also inducing apoptosis and inhibiting
the egg-laying and hatching process of the parasites, spread. It is considered because Sidr honey can interfere
disrupting the normal reproductive process. Activation of with signaling pathways related to proliferation, thus
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macrophages and T-cells enhances the host’s resistance to affecting cancer cell survival.
parasites. It can also promote healing and inhibit infection Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine
in skin injuries caused by parasites. that regulates the activity of different types of cancer
Laksemi’s team investigated the inhibition of cells and, on binding to the receptor, initiates the JAK-
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Plasmodium activity by honey, which significantly STAT signaling pathway, a pathway that is an important
reduced parasitemia levels when combined with citrus therapeutic target in many cancers. Flavonoids in Manuka
extract (Citrus aurantifolia), suggesting a synergistic effect honey have been shown to competitively bind to the
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between the two. The antiparasitic activity of honey has IL-6Rα protein, disrupting IL-6 signaling in cancer cells.
been validated in animal models, but further studies are This interference inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation and
needed on the effects in humans. reduces gp130 and JAK2 protein levels, thereby disrupting
the signaling pathway and exerting anti-tumor effects.
3.5. Anticancer activity Aliyu et al. explored the application of Acacia honey
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Conventional use of chemotherapeutic drugs not only in lung cancer and found that the use of a certain dose of
results in irreversible adverse effects but also weaken their Acacia honey could inhibit the growth of NCI-H460 cells,
therapeutic efficacy against cancer cells as a result of drug which could upregulate the expression of p21 and p27
resistance; therefore, this necessitates a search for natural proteins, prevent the cells from continuing to develop in
products to fight cancer. In this respect, honey stands out as the G0/G1 phase and interfere with the normal cellular
a viable option as a growing line of evidence demonstrates process. In addition, Acacia honey could also regulate
that honey is the rich in antioxidant components that JNK and JAK2 protein levels, and interfere with normal
can reduce cell damage, thereby inhibiting the growth cellular processes. Honey also regulates the JNK and p38
of cancer cells, and is packed with phenolic acids and MAPK pathways, enhancing the apoptotic signaling.

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2025) 7 doi: 10.36922/mi.6592