In vitro evaluation of Hyphaene thebaica honey as a multitarget therapeutic product

Abstract

Hyphaene thebaica honey, commonly known as doum honey (DH), is widely utilized in the Mediterranean region due to its putative health benefits. However, the precise mechanisms underpinning these benefits remain obscure. This study sought to assess the anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties of DH, and analyze its polyphenolic composition. The antibacterial effects of DH were tested against a range of multidrug-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. In addition, we investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of DH in the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line. The phenolic compounds in DH were evaluated using quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The model used to assess the anti-inflammatory properties was lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. HPLC analysis revealed nine phenolic compounds in DH: Gallic acid, caffeic acid, carvacrol, p-coumaric acid, ellagic acid, kaempferol, pinobanksin, pinocembrin, and galangin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for DH varied between 0.19% and 0.78% w/w for the three Gram-positive strains tested and between 0.024% and 0.39% w/w for the four Gram-negative strains tested. Among all the bacterial strains tested, Escherichia coli was found to be the most susceptible, with an MIC of 0.024% w/w. Upon treating LPS-activated THP-1-derived macrophages with DH, the levels of nitric oxide were significantly diminished. Moreover, DH displayed a modest but significant cytostatic effect on the MDA-MB-231 cells. The most noticeable cytostatic impacts were observed at concentrations of 4 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL, resulting in a decrease in cell viability by 25% and 20%, respectively, compared to untreated control cells. A significant decline in the migration rate of MDA-MB-231 cells was observed following DH treatment compared to control cells (P < 0.05). Our findings not only corroborate the well-established antibacterial properties of DH but also imply that its recognized anticancer advantages may be partially attributed to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytostatic, and antimigration effects.