Differential in vitro cytotoxic effects and metabolomic insights into raw and powdered Manuka honey through UPLC-Q-TOF-MS

Abstract Manuka honey (MH) has garnered much attention due to its remarkable antimicrobial, anticancer, immunomodulatory and wound-healing properties. This study compared the antiproliferative effects of raw and powdered MH (pMH) on various human and murine cancer cell lines. A detailed metabolomics analysis was also carried out using untargeted ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) to compare the constituents in raw MH and pMH. The results of the viability studies showed that both raw MH and pMH caused a dose-dependent inhibition of tumor cell growth at concentrations of > 1% w/v (equivalent to ~ 10 mg/ml). A differential susceptibility to MH was observed among the cell lines with the human MDA-MB-231 and A549 cells and murine B16.F10 cells being relatively resistant to MH while the murine MC38 colorectal adeno-carcinoma cells showing the most sensitivity. The effect of raw MH and pMH on cell viability was validated using 2 indepndent assays. Metabolomics analysis detected 2440 compounds, out of which 833 were successfully identified. Among these, 90 phytochemical compounds, predominantly comprising terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins and derivatives, and phenylpropanoic acids, and 79 lipids were identifiable. Significant differences in 5 metabolite classes, including flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, carbohydrates, and organic acids were observed between the raw and pMH. Moreover, several altered metabolic pathways were identified in pMH compared to raw MH, such as energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and various other pathways that collectively influence biological functions associated with cellular growth, signaling, and stress response.