Zaib, Nik Amalia Nasratiena Mat
(2018)
Evaluation of the anti-proliferative and antimicrobial activities of three types of trigona spp. honey.
Masters thesis, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Abstract
Trigona spp. known as Kelulut in Malaysia, was a small stingless bee from tribe
Meliponini. This stingless bee produced honey which was used in wound healing,
increase immune system, killing bacteria, treatment of bronchial phlegm, relieving
sore throat, cough, and cold. In this study, the Trigona spp. honeys were tested to
determine the anti-proliferative activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines,
HeLa cervical cancer cell and SVG normal glial cell using MTT assay. The
antimicrobial activities of Trigona spp. honey were tested by determination of
minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against E. coli, S. aureus and C.
albicans using microdilution method. Then minimum bactericidal concentration
(MBC) or minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) value were determined by
sub culturing the contents of nutrient broth used for MIC tests on nutrient agar
using sterile wire loop and making a strike on the media to see bacteria growth
after incubating at 37 °C for 24 hours. Absence of growth of E. coli and S. aureus
were indicated the MBCs of the honeys while MFC were determined by absence
growth of C. albicans. Lastly, the time kill assay were determined at
concentrations of 0.5 x MIC, 1 x MIC and 2 x MIC and were incubated for varied
time intervals (0, 2, 4, 24 hours). The number of living cells (CFU/mL) of each
sample was determined using the agar plate count method. As the result, both H.
itama honey and T. laeviceps honey were showed inhibition in the growth ofMCF-7 breast cancer cell line and HeLa cervical cancer cell lines. However, the
T. laeviceps honey has better anti-proliferative activity on MCF-7 cell lines but
weak anti-proliferative activity on HeLa cell line. In contrast, H. itama honey
showed better anti-proliferative activity on HeLa cell line but much weaker on
MCF-7 cell lines. Besides, Trigona spp. honeys were non-toxic to the normal cell
line while toxic to the cancer cell line. The undiluted H. itama honey (100 %
concentration) promoted normal cell proliferation. For antimicrobial activity, MIC
values of the Trigona spp. honey against E. coli were ranged 3.125 % to 6.25 %
while against S. aureus were ranged 3.125 % to 12.5 %. Besides, C. albicans
showed low susceptibility to all types of honeys. Time kill assay showed that have
bactericidal activity against E.coli and S. aureus. The stingless bee honey showed
the reduction of E.coli after 24 hours while the reduction of S. aureus was showed
after 2 hours of treatment. The anti-proliferative and antimicrobial activities of
the honey were correlated with their total phenols content, hydrogen peroxide
activity, acidity and hyper-osmolarity of the honey. We concluded that the
Trigona spp. honey showed varied inhibitory effects on different cancer cell lines
and broader-spectrum antibacterial activity but weak in antifungal activity.
However, further investigation of Trigona spp. honey mechanisms of action, in
vivo studies, and toxicological effects will be necessary to establish their safety as
anticancer and antimicrobial agents.
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