Breast cancer is the type of cancer that most frequently affects women and has a rather high death rate. Particularly in developing nations, the prevalence rate tends to rise annually, which frequently leads to deaths from delayed identification and treatment, which frequently detects the disease in its terminal stages. ¹ The malignant growth known as breast cancer (carcinoma mammae) develops in the breast tissue. This cancer starts to spread across the breast’s connective tissue, fatty tissue, and mammary glands. ²

Breast cancer is the most often diagnosed disease and the fifth largest cause of cancer mortality worldwide, with a projected 2.3 million diagnoses and 685,000 deaths in 2020, rising to 4.4 million by 2070. Breast cancer accounts for roughly 24.5% of all cancer cases and 15.5% of cancer deaths in women, making it the leading cause of death and incidence in the majority of countries by 2020. ³ Approximately half of all breast cancers arise in women who have no known risk factors other than gender and age. Breast cancer will be the most frequent cancer among women in 157 of 185 nations by 2022. Breast cancer affects every country in the world. Men account for around 0.5-1% of all breast cancer cases. ⁴

One of the reasons for the increasing number of cancer cases in Indonesia is that environmental circumstances continue to create harmful substances, such as air, soil, and air pollution, as well as the effects of cigarettes and fast food. ^{5, 6} Other factors that influence this include sleeping too late, a lack of physical activity, and consuming fast food. ^{7– 9}

In recent years, numerous items made from different plants, consumables (including fruits, vegetables, and herbs), marine life, and microorganisms have been discovered to be effective in treating a range of human illnesses. ¹⁰ It has been demonstrated that the efficacy of conventional therapy is increased when they are combined with natural items. ¹¹

Traditionally, honey has been used for ages to heal various illnesses. Honey is one of these substances that has gained more attention recently because of its abundance of bioactive chemicals, which are thought to offer several health advantages, including anticancer effects. ¹² Honey has been discovered to have biological properties such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, and antiproliferative properties. ¹³ The study of natural substances as potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of cancer has gained significant traction, particularly in the case of breast cancer. ¹⁴

Bibliometric analysis provides a quantitative and qualitative overview of the scientific literature. ¹⁵ Through this analysis, we will explore key trends in research by focusing on publications from 2014 to 2024, identify leading contributors in the field, and uncover emerging issues that require further investigation. By systematically examining published research, we seek to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge and identify areas that require additional research to fully understand the potential role of honey in breast cancer prevention and treatment.

The findings indicate a robust interest in exploring honey as a complementary treatment for breast cancer. The increase in publications suggests that researchers increasingly recognize honey’s potential benefits due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The dominance of specific journals indicates a focused interest in ethnopharmacology and food science disciplines. Collaborative networks among top authors demonstrate an active community engaged in this research area, which may lead to more comprehensive studies and innovative therapeutic strategies.

The last decade has witnessed significant evolution in cancer research, particularly in the exploration of natural products as potential therapeutic agents. ⁹⁴ The rich biodiversity in nature provides a variety of unique chemical compounds with promising biological activities. ⁹⁵ In addition, the long history of the use of medicinal plants and the assumption that natural products are safer with fewer side effects further encourage research. ⁹⁶ The active compounds in natural products also serve as inspiration for the development of new synthetic drugs while supporting the principle of cessation. ⁹⁷ Thus, exploring natural products offers new hope in the pharmaceutical world. Among others, honey has attracted attention due to its rich composition of bioactive compounds, which are believed to provide a variety of health benefits. ⁹⁸ According to a growing body of research, honey is not cytotoxic to normal cells but is highly and particularly cytotoxic to tumor cells, suggesting that honey may exhibit anticancer effects. ⁹⁹ From 2014 to 2024, the scientific community is increasingly focused on understanding the essence of honey in breast cancer treatment, reflecting a broader trend towards integrating traditional medicine with modern medical practice.

In 2014, research on honey and its effects on cancer was still emerging, with only a handful of studies investigating its therapeutic potential. However, as awareness of the adverse side effects associated with conventional cancer treatments grew, so did interest in alternative therapies. In 2023, this interest culminated in a marked surge in publications, indicating a paradigm shift toward exploring natural substances such as honey as adjuncts to conventional cancer therapies.

This analytical period highlights the increase in published research and the diversification of study methodologies and interdisciplinary collaborations. Researchers from diverse fields-from pharmacology to nutrition, have begun to converge on this topic, fostering a rich environment for innovation and discovery. This ten-year analysis of publications reveals key trends in authorship, journal contributions, and thematic focus areas, providing insight into how Honey is positioned within the broader context of breast cancer research. ^{100– 102} As we delve deeper into this analysis, it becomes clear that the intersection of traditional knowledge and scientific inquiry is paving the way for new therapeutic approaches. ¹⁰³ The growing body of literature underscores honey’s potential role as a valuable resource in breast cancer treatment strategies and emphasizes the need for continued research to elucidate its mechanisms and efficacy fully. ^{104, 105}

The period from 2014 to 2024 has witnessed a tremendous increase in publications related to honey and breast cancer. Initially, research in this field was still limited, but a significant surge in interest became apparent in 2023 when the number of publications jumped to 121- more than three times the 2014 results. the 2014 results trend reflects the growing recognition of the potential therapeutic properties of honey, including its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which are particularly important in the fight against cancer. This analysis highlights that key journals such as the Journal of Ethnopharmacology and Food Chemistry have been at the forefront of disseminating findings in this domain, indicating the involvement of the findings in this domain and indicating a strong engagement from ethnopharmacology and food science perspectives.

The co-authorship network identifies key contributors to this field, highlighting leading researchers such as Maurizio Battino and Francesca Giampieri. Their collaboration and extensive publication record underscore the importance of collective efforts in advancing knowledge on the therapeutic effects of honey. The analysis also reveals that leading journals such as the Journal of Ethnopharmacology and Food Chemistry have played an important role in disseminating research findings, demonstrating a strong interdisciplinary approach that bridges traditional medicine and modern scientific inquiry.

Furthermore, this bibliometric analysis investigates emerging issues in the research landscape, identifying important themes through keyword co-occurrence analysis. Key terms such as “anticancer,” “apoptosis,” “inflammation,” and “oxidative stress” reflect the multifaceted nature of honey’s role in cancer treatment. Identifying different research groups suggests that research increasingly focuses on different aspects of honey’s biological activity, including its antimicrobial properties and potential applications in drug development.

The limitation of this study is that it still does not explore clinical trials enough and needs further research. Clinical trials are essential in bridging the gap between preclinical findings and broader clinical implementation. Most findings to date have come from in vitro studies or animal models. Human clinical trials are needed to ensure that honey is not only effective but also safe to use as an adjunct therapy in the context of breast cancer. This includes assessing appropriate dosage, potential side effects, and interactions with other therapies such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Honey contains various bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. Clinical trials can help determine the most effective formulation of honey and the optimal method of administration, such as oral, topical, or combination. This standardization is essential to ensure consistency of clinical outcomes.

Clinical trials can also evaluate honey’s benefits in improving cancer patients’ quality of life. The focus may include honey’s effects on reducing fatigue and nausea and other side effects of conventional therapies. This research is important for integrating honey into a holistic cancer care approach.

This bibliometric analysis highlights the growing interest in honey as a potential adjunctive therapy for breast cancer. The increasing number of publications indicates a promising future for honey research. Moreover, this analysis emphasizes the potential of plant-based compounds, especially those derived from honey, as promising therapeutic agents for cancer. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods is essential to unlock the full potential of these compounds. Further research is needed to elucidate their mechanism of action, assess their safety and efficacy, and develop evidence-based interventions. By bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and scientific research, we can harness the power of nature to improve human health.

ANU, FF, ZN, and DIA contributed to the literature review, data extraction from various databases, conceptualization, development of the economic models on Microsoft Excel Software, formal analysis, findings interpretation, and manuscript writing. All authors approved the final version of the paper.

Ethical approval and consent were not required.