J Rhinol.  2017 Nov;24(2):104-111. 10.18787/jr.2017.24.2.104.

Comparison of Manuka, Kanuka, and Black Locust Honey on the Production of Chemical Mediators by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

• Shin SH
• Ye MK
• Son HJ
• Kim YH

• KMID: 2398828
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18787/jr.2017.24.2.104

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Honey has various biological and pharmacological activities and has been used as treatment against various inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the anti-inflammatory characteristics of manuka, kanuka, and black locust honey. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy human volunteers were isolated and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with or without pre-treatment of various concentrations of honey for 72 hours. The cytotoxic effects of honeys were measured using an aqueous cell proliferation kit, and the supernatants were analyzed for interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-10, interferon-γ (INF-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS
Samples of 1% manuka and kanuka honey were found to have cytotoxic effects on PBMCs. Honey itself enhanced the production of IL-10 and TNF-α production. Manuka and kanuka honeys suppressed LPS-induced IL-10 and INF-γ production, while black locust honey only suppressed IL-10 production from PBMCs.
CONCLUSION
Honeys had immunomodulatory properties of both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive effects on PBMCs. Different honeys might have different immune modulatory functions due to their different components.

Keyword

Manuka honey; Kanuka honey; Black locust honey; Peripheral blood mononuclear cell; Anti-inflammation

MeSH Terms

Cell Proliferation
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Healthy Volunteers
Honey*
Interleukin-10
Interleukin-5
Kunzea*
Methods
Necrosis
Robinia*
Interleukin-10
Interleukin-5

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Cytotoxic effect of honeys on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at various concentrations of manuka, kanuka, and black locust honey. PBMCs from five healthy individuals were treated with honeys for 72 hours. 1% of manuka (A) and kanuka (B) honeys significantly suppressed the proliferation PBMCs. However, under the 1% concentration, of black locust honey (C) did not influence the proliferation of PBMCs. NT: non-treated, M: manuka honey, K: kanuka honey, B: black locust honey, *: p<0.05 vs negative control.

• 

  Fig. 2 Cytotoxic effect of honeys on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at various concentrations of manuka, kanuka, and black locust honey with 10 ug/ml of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). PBMCs were pretreated with honeys for 1 hour and then cultured with LPS for 48 hours. 1% of manuka, kanuka, and black locust honeys significantly suppressed the proliferation of PBMCs. NT: non-treated, M: manuka honey, K: kanuka honey, B: black locust honey, *: p<0.05 vs negative control.

• 

  Fig. 3 Influence of manuka, kanuka, and black locust honey on cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PBMCs were cultured with various concentrations of honeys. Manuka (A) and kanuka (B) honey enhanced TNF-α and IL-10 production and black locust honey (C) enhanced only TNF-α production from PBMCs. NT: non-treated, M: manuka honey, K: kanuka honey, B: black locust honey. *: p<0.05 vs negative control.

• 

  Fig. 4 Influence of honeys on cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PBMCs were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 72 hours with or without pre-treatment with various concentrations of manuka (A), kanuka (B), and black locust (C) honey. LPS induced INF-γ and IL-10 productions were significantly inhibited with 0.5% of honeys. M: manuka honey, K: kanuka honey, B: black locust honey. *: p<0.05 vs LPS group.

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