| Background: Honey as a natural product, possess a varieties of biological and pharmacological Activities. Its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antihypertensive effects have already been reported.
Objectives: In the present study, we investigated that honey inhibits the carcinogenic effect of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in croton oil promoted mice skin.
Materials and Methods: Albino Swiss mice were pretreated with multiple topical application of honey, after nine hours tumors were initiated by administration of a single topical dose of DMBA. The promoting agent, croton oil, was applied twice a week for 30 weeks.
Results: The appearance of the first tumor, number and incidences of tumor were recorded. When compared to the control group, Honey pre-treated mice showed significant inhibition of tumors incidence in comparison with the control group.
Also the enhanced uptake of [3H]-thymidine in mice skin DNA was inhibited in honey pretreated animals as compared to control group.
Conclusions: Taken together, these data suggest that that the antioxidant present in honey can abrogate the tumor-promoting effects of croton oil in murine skin. In conclusion we suggest that honey as an effective chemopreventive agent may provide protection against skin cancer. |