Fujairah Honey as a Natural Therapeutic Agent: Anticancer and Anti-Inflammatory Properties from a Unique UAE Ecosystem

The Second Scientific Conference on Health and Medical Research in the UAE-October 2025

Fujairah Honey as a Natural Therapeutic Agent: Anticancer and Anti-Inflammatory Properties from a Unique UAE Ecosystem

Eman J. Abuzaid¹, Khawla Mohammed Alyammahi², Attiat Elnaggar^3,4, Rania Hamdy^3,5, Alshaimaa M. Hamoda^1,6, Doha H. Aboubaker^3,7, Shaymaa Mohamed^6,8, Hamza Mohammad Al-Hroub¹, Nashwa Ahmed Mohamed⁹, Fouad Lamghari², Ali El-Keblawy^3,10, and Sameh S.M. Soliman^1,11*

¹Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences (RIMHS), University of Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, Sharjah, UAE,² Fujairah Research Center, Fujairah, UAE, ³ Research Institute for Science and Engineering (RISE), University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, UAE, ⁴ Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt, ⁵ Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt, ⁶ Department of Pharmacognosy Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt, ⁷Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Department. Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt, ⁸Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia, ⁹College of Law, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates, ¹⁰ Faculty of Pharmacy, Al Salam University, Tanta, Egypt, ¹¹ College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272, Sharjah, UAE.

 Abstract

Background and Aims:

Fujairah honey, sourced from the unique mountainous ecosystems of the United Arab Emirates, is rich in diverse botanical compounds that may offer pharmacological value. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimetastatic properties of 20 honey samples (Samar and Sidr types) collected from different regions of Fujairah, against commercially available Australian Manuka honey. A key objective was to explore the correlation between biological activity, physicochemical characteristics, and metabolite profiles.

Methods:Twenty raw honey samples were subjected to cytotoxicity screening on MCF-7 breast cancer cells, alongside antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), anti-inflammatory profiling (IL-6 expression analysis), and metastasis-related assays. Crude and solvent-partitioned fractions, particularly the dichloromethane (DCM) extract, were tested to identify bioactive components. Untargeted metabolomics was conducted to identify key compounds associated with biological activity.

Results:Sample 6 (Samar honey, Acacia spp.) demonstrated notable bioactivity. Its DCM fraction exhibited a 20% reduction in MCF-7 cell viability, in contrast to its crude extract, which showed mild proliferative effects. This fraction also showed strong antioxidant activity (92.47% DPPH scavenging) and significant anti-inflammatory action via IL-6 downregulation (p < 0.0001) without inducing an overactive immune response. Additionally, it inhibited cell migration in MCF-7 cells. Metabolomics analysis identified elevated levels of fatty acids, monoacylglycerides, and succinic acid, with succinic acid contributing to a 28% increase in cytotoxicity (p < 0.001), supporting the unique functional potential of Sample 6.

Conclusion:Fujairah Samar honey, particularly Sample 6 DCM fraction, demonstrates selective anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimetastatic properties, outperforming Manuka honey in key parameters. These findings position it as a promising natural candidate for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Further studies are warranted to validate its bioactivity in vivo and support clinical translation.