biostudies-literatureMarquez-Garban DCCalifornia Breast Cancer Research ProgramUCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer CenterHickey Family FoundationNCI NIH HHS2369https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11279598biostudies-literatureUnknown16(14)Manuka honey (MH) exhibits potential antitumor activity in preclinical models of a number of human cancers. Treatment in vitro with MH at concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 5.0% (<i>w</i>/<i>v</i>) led to significant dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, but anti-proliferative effects of MH were less pronounced in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Effects of MH were also tested on non-malignant human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) at 2.5% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i>, and it was found that MH reduced the proliferation of MCF-7 cells but not that of HMECs. Notably, the antitumor activity of MH was in the range of that exerted by treatment of MCF-7 cells with the antiestrogen tamoxifen. Further, MH treatment stimulated apoptosis of MCF-7 cells in vitro, with mosNutrientsManuka Honey Inhibits Human Breast Cancer Progression in Preclinical Models.PMC11279598U54 CA143930Breast Cancer Research AwardN.A.B27IB3869McCloskey SAWadehra MYanes CDHardy MLlarena GElashoff DHamilton NPietras RJMarquez-Garban DCfalseManuka Honey Inhibits Human Breast Cancer Progression in Preclinical Models.Manuka honey (MH) exhibits potential antitumor activity in preclinical models of a number of human cancers. Treatment in vitro with MH at concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 5.0% (<i>w</i>/<i>v</i>) led to significant dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, but anti-proliferative effects of MH were less pronounced in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Effects of MH were also tested on non-malignant human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) at 2.5% <i>w</i>/<i>v</i>, and it was found that MH reduced the proliferation of MCF-7 cells but not that of HMECs. Notably, the antitumor activity of MH was in the range of that exerted by treatment of MCF-7 cells with the antiestrogen tamoxifen. Further, MH treatment stimulated apoptosis of MCF-7 cells in vitro, with mos2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jul2025-08-27T03:10:55.512Z2025-08-27T03:10:55.512ZS-EPMC112795983906481210.3390/nu16142369