Effects of Gelam Honey on Oxidative Stress in Lung Cancer Cells

Gelam  honey  was  reported  to  exhibit  anti-oxidative,  anti-tumour  and  anti-inflammatory properties against many types of cancer. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Gelam honey on the oxidative stress level of human  lung  cancer  cells.  IC50  of  Gelam  honey  was  identified  by  treating  A549 cells  with  different  doses  of  honey  (50-200  mg/ml).  The  cells  were  divided  into four groups and induced with stress using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accordingly: control,  H2O2,  Gelam  honey,  H2O2  +  Gelam  honey.  After  24  hrs  of  treatment, oxidative  stress  markers  such  as  malondialdehyde  (MDA)  and  protein  carbonyl, were  determined.  Induction  of  oxidative  stress  significantly  increased  the  levels of  MDA  (p<0.05)  but  had  no  effect  on  protein  carbonyl  levels.  Treatment  with Gelam  honey  was  found  to  reduce  MDA  levels  (p<0.05)  in  A549  cells  exposed to  H2O2  but  had  no  effect  on  the  level  of  protein  carbonyl.  Interestingly,  Gelam honey treatment alone had no effects on the levels of MDA and protein carbonyl. In conclusion, Gelam honey reduces lipid peroxidation but not protein oxidation in human lung cancer cells subjected to oxidative stress.