Acacia Honey Modulates Cell Cycle Progression, Pro-inflammatory Cytokines and Calcium Ions Secretion in PC-3 Cell Lines

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Honey has been proven to have a potentiality of being among the functional foods by both in vivo and in vitro studies. Aim: This study was primarily designed to provide evidence on the apoptotic role of acacia honey on PC-3 cell line. Methods: MTT and mitotic index assay were used to determine the anti-proliferative effects. Cell cycle analysis was conducted on flow cytometer using propidium iodide. Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines [TNF α and IL 1β] and prostate specific antigen were determined by ELISA kits. Calcium ion level was analyzed by colorimetric method. Results: Our results show the anti-proliferative effects of acacia honey on NIH/3T3 and PC-3 cell lines with the IC 50 of 3.7 and 1.9% [v/v] respectively with simultaneous increase in the secretion of calcium ion and down regulation of prostate specific antigen. Significant [p < 0.05] dose-dependent modulation of G0/G1 phase was observed as compared with the control. However, there was an inverse relationship between TNF-α and IL-1β with latter being up regulated. Mitotic index of PC-3 cells decreased as the concentration of honey increases. Conclusion: Apoptotic role of acacia honey on PC-3 cell line may be due to modulation of G0/G1 phase, proinflammatory cytokines, calcium ions secretion and down regulation of prostate specific antigen in vitro.