The effect of Malaysian honey and its major components on the proliferation of cultured fibroblasts

Abstract

Background/aim: To examine, for the first time, the effect of a selected Malaysian honey and its major components on the proliferation of cultured fibroblasts. Materials and methods:Honey and some of its components, which include the sugars, the proteins, the hydrogen peroxide produced, and the phenolics, were exposed to cultured fibroblasts. The MTT colorimetric assay was used to assess cell viability and proliferation. Results:The stimulatory effect of honey on fibroblast proliferation was observed to be time-and dose-dependent. The continuous production of hydrogen peroxide by the honey-glucose oxidase system also acts to stimulate cell proliferation in a time-and dosedependent manner. The presence of phenolics with antioxidant properties, on the other hand, renders protection to the cells against the toxic effect of hydrogen peroxide. However, the presence of a growth factor-like substance in honey could not be ascertained. Conclusion:For the first time, honey and its major components were shown to exert stimulatory effects on cultured fibroblasts. Honey is therefore potentially useful in medicinal practices.

El Rol de la Miel en los Procesos Morfofisiológicos de Reparación de Heridas

“…La estimulación de la angiogénesis por la miel suministra el oxígeno necesario en el proceso de curación de las herida (Molan, 2002;Rossiter et al, 2010). La alta presión osmótica y el peróxido de hidrógeno contenido en niveles bajos en la miel estimula el desarrollo de nuevos capilares (Molan, 2002;Nakajima et al, 2013), el crecimiento y la proliferación de los fibroblastos y miofibroblastos y promueve la síntesis de colágeno y la reepitelización (Rossiter et al;Boekema et al, 2013;Al-Jadi et al, 2014).…”

Chemical profiles of honeys originating from different floral sources and geographic locations examined by a combination of three extraction and analysis techniques

“…honeys, but not detected in Coconut (Cocos mucifera) honeys. The concentration of gallic acid was higher in Gelam honeys (3.3 ± 0.1 ppm) than in Coconut honeys (0.82 ± 0.05 ppm) and the concentration of benzoic acid was lower in Gelam honeys (0.80 ± 0.04 ppm) than in Coconut honeys (1.8 ± 0.1 ppm) [19]. Gallic acid concentration was also a distinguishing feature of Algerian bee pollen from Tlemcen (407 ± 2 ppm) compared to bee pollen from other regions of Algeria (range: 321 ppm to 354 ppm) as evidenced in the methanolic extracts of pollen analysed via HPLC in a recent study [20].…”

“…The concentrations of gallic acid and benzoic acid have previously been used to distinguish between honeys originating from Gelam and Coconut floral sources grown in Malaysia which have undergone solid-phase extraction and HPLC analysis and liquid-liquid ethyl acetate extraction and GC-MS analysis [19]. The concentrations of 2'-methoxyacetophenone, cislinalool oxide and 3,4,5-trimethylphenol have previously been used to distinguish between Australian Jellybush and New Zealand Manuka which have undergone HS-SPME and GC-MS [22].…”

Recovery of olfactory function using intranasal natural honey after post-traumatic anosmia

“…1,4 The anti-inflammatory action of honey is an essential element in the recovery of olfaction since it enhances circulation and delivers more oxygen and nutrients to help the tissue repair and heal. 16,17 Honey helps in tissue repair via its stimulatory effect on fibroblastproliferation 18 and reduction of cellular edema. Furthermore, honey exerts cytoprotective activity on mucosal epithelia as evidenced by histological studies which showed decreased exfoliation of mucosal cells, reduced inflammatory exudates, minimizing mucosal cells and vascular permeability chances.…”