In vitro cytotoxic effects of lactobacilli grown with lime honey on human breast and colon cancer cells

Honey is a health promoter that is used to treat in various diseases. Probiotics are live microorganisms that exert health benefits on the host, when administered in adequate amounts. With other diet constituents, probiotic bacteria can alter the composition of microbiota and exert more health benefits. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lime honey on well-known probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, and in vitro cytotoxic effects of the combination on breast and colon cancer cells MCF-7 and Caco2, respectively. The results showed that lime honey enhanced the probiotic properties of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, including auto-aggregation and surface hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the addition of lime honey to the growth of lactobacilli enhanced cytotoxicity in breast and colon cancer cells, while it did not significantly affect healthy cells. In conclusion, honey may have not only direct effects on human health, but also indirect benefits mediated by beneficial microorganisms.