Author(s): ENEGIDE CHINEDU1*, DAVID AROME1, DABUM LUKA JACOB2
Background: Cancer is a significant health problem and also a majorcause of death in both developing and developed countries all over the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has ranked it among the leading causes of death, as about 7.4 million (13%) deaths in 2004 were as a result of cancer. Chemoprevention simplyrefers to the use of pharmacological or dietary agents to prevent induction, inhibit or even delay the advancement of cancer. These agents should have antiproliferative or even cytostatic effect to achieve this aim. There have been recent claims of various naturally occurring products having anticancer effect, with honey being one of these products Aim:The aim of this study is to evaluate if Nigerian honey has antiproliferative and cytostatic potentials. Materials and Method:Honey solutions A-E wereprepared from pure honey. The study was carried-out on rapidly proliferating seeds (Sorghum bicolor) and the mean radicle lengths (mm) were taken after 24, 48 and 72 hours. Results:The seeds treated with methotrexate showed a remarkable retarded radicle growth compared to control. While those treated with honey solutions A-C showed a high degree of inhibition of proliferation of the seeds radicle. Their effects were significant (P<0.05) at 48 and 72 hours. Honey solutions D and E showed a total cytostatic effect on the seeds throughout the study. Conclusion:The study reveals that Nigerian honey has a potential for causing antiproliferative and cytostatic effects on rapidly proliferating cells.
ISSN: 2320-3315
ICV :81.58