An insight into the putative role of victuals like honey and its polyphenols in breast cancer

Abstract

Diet plays a crucial role in cancer advancement as well as prevention. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women. Recent research links breast cancer with diet and some evidence for the preventive effect of diet against breast cancer was also documented. The growth of cancer cells is influenced by natural sweetener honey and its multitude of phenolic phytochemical components. Honey has been used medicinally by ancient Greeks and Egyptians and also traditionally exploited in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. In this paper, the anti-cancer properties of honey and its phytochemical's action against breast cancer have been summarized. They result in apoptosis by enhancing reactive oxygen species level, activating mitochondrial pathway, initiation of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins, induction of p53 pathway that finally cause DNA fragmentation. However, there is a necessity for more proteomic and genetic-based experiments to understand its molecular mechanism to promote honey and its phenolic markers as plausible candidates for breast cancer treatment. Further, there is a need for quality check of honey available in the market, which warrants significant investigation by researchers in the food industry to ensure their attributes.