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.