Insights & Discussion
Clinical studies related to breast cancer have revealed that honey is effective in increasing blood cell counts, interleukin-3 levels, and quality of life.
In relation to breast cancer, in vitro experiments revealed the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic impact of honey on breast cancer cells, as well as their increased apoptosis. Animal studies have shown that honey reduces the number, growth rate, volume, and tumor weight. Findings from clinical trials reported its immunomodulatory properties showing that honey is effective in increasing leukocyte and platelet counts, IL-3 levels, and quality of life. In this context, the potential role of honey and its oligosaccharides as prebiotics for specific beneficial bacteria might be examined in future clinical studies.
Preclinical studies related to osteoporosis have reported favorable effects of honey on cortical and trabecular bone microstructure, bone strength, and oxidative stress.
Honey is able to protect the bone mainly due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, primarily through its content of polyphenols, which act on several signaling pathways, resulting in anabolic and antiresorptive effects. From the group of polyphenols, the anti-osteoporotic impact of quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin was recorded. In addition, vitamin D3 and its hydroxyderivatives with antioxidant properties were also detected in honey. Vitamin D3 supplementation was found to have protective effects on the inhibition of bone loss and BMD in both experimental animals and postmenopausal women.
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Crocin, a compound derived from saffron, has shown considerable potential in hindering tumor growth and improving immune status, across various malignant tumors.
2023 PeerJ Advances on the anti-tumor mechanisms of the carotenoid Crocin Bao X, Hu J, Zhao Y, Jia R, Zhang H, Xia L
Review Article Anti-Tumour Breast Cancer Cervical Cancer
The methodology for the study involved an in-depth review of modern pharmacological studies that have analyzed the therapeutic effects of crocin, a natural compound that can be extracted from saffron. Various anti-tumor effects were assessed including the induction of tumor cell death (apoptosis), restrictions on tumor cell proliferation, and potential barriers to invasion and metastasis of these cells. The potential for enhancement of sensitivity to chemotherapy and improvement of immune status were also examined.
Following the review, the study revealed that crocin has significant anti-tumor properties. It showed that this natural compound can induce apoptosis in tumor cells, inhibit their expansion and progression, and even prevent their invasiveness and metastasis. Furthermore, crocin demonstrated the potential to enhance the body’s responsiveness to chemotherapy and help boost the immune system. These effects were observed across a range of different malignant tumors, including stomach, liver, cervical, breast, and colorectal cancers.
Kidney tonic herbs may enhance bone density and reduce fracture risk in patients with primary osteoporosis.
2023 Medicine Effects of kidney tonic herbs for primary osteoporosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis Li W, Ye B, Huang Z, Zhou H, Feng J, Chen Q, et al.
Systematic Review Bone Density Fracture Risk Kidney-Tonifying Herbs
This research gathered and analyzed data from 43 randomized controlled trials involving 4349 participants, selected through extensive scrutiny conducted by two researchers. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Kidney tonic herbs in the treatment of primary osteoporosis. A comprehensive search of literature across eight electronic databases was performed up to September 30, 2022. The main focus of these trials was changes in bone mineral density of the lumbar area.
The results, obtained through meta-analyses using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 16, indicated that kidney tonic herbs significantly increased bone mineral density in various anatomic sites. Examples of these are the lumbar area, femoral neck, and femoral trochanter. Moreover, the research found a decrease in fracture incidence, with no serious side effects reported. The herbs also showed superior pain relief potential. However, the impact of these herbs on fall incidence needs further exploration.
Adding Du Huo Ji Sheng Decoction on bisphosphonate medications seems to be an effective and safe strategy in treating patients with osteoporosis.
2022 Journal of Ethnopharmacology Efficacy and safety of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction add-on bisphosphonate medications in patients with osteoporosis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Huang CY, Cheng CJ, Chiou WF, Chang WC, Kang YN, Lee MH
Systematic Review Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan Osteoporosis
Seventeen RCTs (n = 1526) met eligibility criteria, and were included in this synthesis. Pooled estimates demonstrated that as compared with no DHJSD, DHJSD-B led to significantly higher efficacy rates, more lumbar BMD, lower pain score, and lower overall adverse event rates.
The primary ingredient of Shenling Baizhu powder, Rutin, can improve polycystic ovary syndrome and postmenopausal osteoporosis by binding to the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor, thus inhibiting cell apoptosis.
2022 PeerJ Prevention of polycystic ovary syndrome and postmenopausal osteoporosis by inhibiting apoptosis with Shenling Baizhu powder compound Liang J, Bao A, Ma H, Dong W, Li W, Wu X, et al.
Network Pharmacology Osteoporosis Rutin Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
In this study, the active ingredients of Shenling Baizhu powder were identified using a Chinese medicine database, and Rutin emerged as having the highest binding affinity to the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor. This was determined through molecular dynamics simulation, eliminating any ambiguity. Then, to assess the efficacy of Rutin, it was used therapeutically on ovarian granulosa and osteoblast cell lines, with varying concentrations to determine the optimum dosage.
Analyzing the results showed that the introduction of Rutin to both ovarian granulosa and osteoblast cell lines resulted in modified protein expressions, indicative of cellular adjustments. Specifically, expressions of the apoptosis-associated protein and the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor, among others, were decreased while the expression of protein Bcl-2 was increased. Moreover, cell proliferation was seen to significantly accelerate in both cell lines after treatment with Rutin.
Du Huo Ji Sheng Decoction monotherapy or combined with antiosteoporosis drugs may have beneficial effects for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
2020 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Efficacy and Safety of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Li J, Wang W, Feng G, Du J, Kang S, Li Z, et al.
Systematic Review Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan Osteoporosis
Eight studies were enrolled with 650 participants. DHJSD alone or with other interventions had a significant effect on bone mineral density of the lumbar spine, E2, and clinical effectiveness. However, no effect at bone Gla protein was seen.
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