Manuka honey, oxidative stress, 5-fluorouracil treatment, and colon cancer cells

Abstract Manuka honey (MH) is a rich source of several biological and pharmacological bioactive compounds, as well as natural antioxidants. The phenolic compounds of MH are significantly correlated with its antioxidant capacity and its beneficial effect in human health is becoming more apparent. This chapter focuses on the antioxidant and anticancer activity of MH in in vitro and in vivo models. A rising amount of evidence indicates that MH exerts protective effects against oxidative damage through scavenging or quenching of oxygen free radicals, protecting biomolecules, activating antioxidant enzymes, and increasing antioxidant responsive element expressions both in in vitro and in vivo models. In colon cancer cells, MH induced preventive and therapeutic effects by suppressing cancer cells proliferation, activating apoptosis, inducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting metastatic processes through altering multiple molecular targets. Additionally, the anticancer effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy was augmented in the presence of MH at less doses.