Effect of Indian honey on expression of p53 and cyclin B1 in HeLa cells

Abstract

Honey is a natural product collected from the nectar by honey bees and has a wide array of therapeutic important compounds called as phytochemicals. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Existing conventional cancer therapy which is mainly comprised of chemotherapeutic agents has side effects. Honey due to the presence of phytochemicals especially flavonoids and phenolic acids like apigenin, chrysin, quercetin and caffeic acid are found to inhibit the cancer growth. This effect varies among different honeys since they are dependent on the phytochemical composition and their concentrations in honey, which varies with respect to floral origin from which honey has been collected, geographical and climatic conditions. Thus, in the current study, phytochemical characterization of Jambhul, Rubber, Litchi and Drumstick honey samples along with their effect on the expression of proteins playing a vital role in the event of cell cycle and apoptosis i.e. Cyclin B1 and p53 proteins were determined by Flow cytometry. It was found that these honey samples contain apigenin, chrysin, quercetin and caffeic acid. These honeys exhibited an increase in expression of p53 whereas, expression of Cyclin B1 protein was reduced in HeLa cells treated with honey samples. The presence of phytochemical markers exhibiting promising anticancer potential along with the ability of alterations in the expression of these proteins proves that these honey samples have a potent anticancer activity which enhances the chances of these Indian honeys to be utilized in the treatment of cervical cancer.