Gelam honey attenuated radiation-induced cell death in human diploid fibroblasts by promoting cell cycle progression and inhibiting apoptosis

The effect of Anzer honey on X-ray induced genotoxicity in human lymphocytes: An in vitro study

Anzer honey is well known in Turkey and used for its medicinal properties, especially for pharyngitis, tonsillitis, ulcers and cancer. In this study, we investigated whether Anzer honey, which is shown to have antioxidant, anti-tumoral, and anti-inflammatory properties, has a protective effect against X-ray induced genotoxic damage by cytogenetic methods. Peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from 20 healthy volunteers were divided into two groups and cultivated by conventional methods. Study group lymphocytes were treated with 10% diluted honey while those in the control group were not. Both groups were exposed to a high dose (2 Gy) X-ray at the 48th hour of culture. Conventional cytogenetic staining and Giemsa banding methods were applied to evaluate chromosomal breakage and ring formation. Micronucleus frequencies were determined by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. Paired sample t test was used to compare groups. Anzer honey, which was analyzed melissopalynologically, was used. Micronucleus frequency was significantly decreased in the study group (CI = 348.75 ± 31, median 326, min. 98, max. 704) compared to the control group (CI = 489.10 ± 27, median 500, min. 216, max. 645) (p = .001). Chromosomal breakage was also significantly decreased in the study group (CI = 118.70 ± 16, median 109, min. 12, max. 316) compared to the control group (CI = 233.60 ± 25, median 225, min. 65, max. 492) (p < .0001). This is the first study indicating that genotoxic damage in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy volunteers induced by X-radiation may be prevented or alleviated by adding Anzer honey in vitro. These results encourage further research about the protective effects of honey.

The Antibacterial and Antioxidant Roles of Buckwheat Honey (BH) in Liquid Preservation of Boar Semen

In the present study, we hypothesized that buckwheat honey (BH) should be regarded as a potential alternative to antibacterial and antioxidant agent in liquid storage of boar semen. To this end, boar semen was firstly studied for in vitro dose tolerability to BH by measuring sperm progressive motility. The optimum progressive motility of boar spermatozoa was observed in extender with 0.5% and 0.6% BH addition. Afterward, sperm quality parameters, bacterial profile and composition, total antioxidant (T-AOC), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of control, BH supplementation, antibiotics supplementation, and incorporated supplementation were compared during liquid storage period, to further investigate antibacterial and antioxidant properties of BH. The results showed that BH supplementation significantly improved sperm motility, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity, inhibited opportunistic bacterial growth, and altered microbial compositions at the end of preservation. Additionally, T-AOC, SOD, and CAT levels were significantly higher in the BH supplementation group than those in the control and antibiotic supplementation group, whereas MDA level exhibited opposite change pattern. Importantly, BH addition to the extender was able to exert a synergistic effect in combination of antibiotic use. Our findings suggested that the appropriate concentrations (0.5% and 0.6%) of BH were added to the extender could act antibacterial and antioxidant roles in liquid preservation of boar semen.

Physicochemical and Medicinal Properties of Tualang, Gelam and Kelulut Honeys: A Comprehensive Review

Tualang, Gelam and Kelulut honeys are tropical rainforest honeys reported to have various medicinal properties. Studies related to the medicinal properties and physicochemical characteristics of these honeys are growing extensively and receiving increased attention. This review incorporated and analysed the findings on the biological and physicochemical properties of these honeys. Tualang, Gelam and Kelulut honeys were found to possess a wide variety of biological effects attributed to their physicochemical characteristics. Findings revealed that these honeys have anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties and effects on the cardiovascular system, nervous system and reproductive system. The physicochemical properties of these honeys were compared and discussed and results showed that they have high-quality contents and excellent antioxidant sources.

MicroRNA‑210 negatively regulates the radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Radiotherapy is one of the primary methods of treatment of malignant tumors, however, resistance to radiation is a major problem. The reasons for the radioresistance are still poorly understood. However, it is generally accepted that microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) can regulate the radiosensitivity of tumors. The present study therefore aimed to identify specific miRNAs and their effects on radioresistant cells. More specifically, the aim was to investigate specific miRNAs and their effects on radioresistant tumor cells. The radioresistant tumor cells (CNE‑2R) were established using a dose gradient method, and the miRNA expression profiles of CNE‑2R cells and the parental cells (CNE‑2) were determined. The expression of miR‑210 in CNE‑2R cells was significantly higher than in CNE‑2 cells. CNE‑2R cells were transfected with LV‑hsa‑miR‑210‑inhibitor, and CNE‑2 cells were transfected with LV‑hsa‑miR‑210. The expression of miR‑210 was confirmed by reverse transcription quantitative‑polymerase chain reaction. The percentages of CNE‑2R‑miR‑210‑inhibitor and CNE‑2 cells in the G2/M phase were higher than in the CNE‑2R and CNE‑2‑miR‑210 cells, and the percentages of cells in S phase were lower than in the CNE‑2R and CNE‑2‑miR‑210 cells. Following 4 Gy of radiation, CNE‑2R‑miR‑210‑inhibitor and CNE‑2 cells, which express low levels of miR‑210, had a higher apoptosis rate than CNE‑2R and CNE‑2‑miR‑210 cells. Following 4, 8 and 12 Gy of radiation, cell viability and survival fraction of CNE‑2R‑miR‑210‑inhibitor cells were lower than those of CNE‑2R and CNE‑2‑miR‑210 cells, and similar to those of CNE‑2 cells. Together, these findings strongly suggest that miR‑210 negatively regulates the radiosensitivity of tumor cells, and may therefore have therapeutic potential for the treatment of radiation resistance.