Medical-grade manuka honey inhibits mast cell degranulation by downregulating Protein Kinase-B (Akt) Phosphorylation: Potential role as intravesical agent in the treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

Abdelwahab, O., Abdalkareem, R., Lau, L., Yusuh, M., Garba, K., Birch, B., Lwaleed, B. and Walls, A. (2020) Medical-grade manuka honey inhibits mast cell degranulation by downregulating Protein Kinase-B (Akt) Phosphorylation: Potential role as intravesical agent in the treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. BAUS 2020 Annual Meeting, Virtual. 09 - 11 Nov 2020.

Abstract

Background: mast cells numbers and activity are significantly elevated in several inflammatory conditions including interstitial cystitis (IC/BPS). This condition is associated with the release of neuroactive substances, e.g. substance P (SP), which induces mast cell degranulation and tissue inflammation. Medihoney® (MH) is a medical grade Manuka honey with strong anti-microbial properties. Recent reports also highlight its anti-inflammatory properties through inhibition of histamine release by mast cells.

Problem: we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of MH against neurogenic inflammation by studying its effect on mast cell degranulation induced by SP. LAD-2 human mast cells were activated by SP (1µM) for 40 minutes with or without 30-minute pre-incubation with MH. Degranulation was assessed by the release of the lysosomal enzyme βhexosaminidase (β-hex.). The cells were lysed and the levels of phosphorylation of several protein kinases, involved in the cell signalling pathways underlying mast cell activation, were measured.

Outcome: MH (4% and 6%) significantly inhibited mast cell degranulation by approximately 90%. MH (4%) pre-treatment inhibited SP-induced phosphorylation of Akt 1, 2 and 3. 10-DEBC Hydrochloride, a selective Akt inhibitor, significantly inhibited mast cell degranulation in a dose-dependent manner, starting from 87% at a concentration of 30 µM.

Learning: intravesical MH could potentially be useful as an anti-inflammatory agent against neurogenic inflammation which might be implicated in the pathology of ICBPS.

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Contributors

Author: O. Abdelwahab

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