Bioactive Compounds and Health-Promoting Properties of Royal Jelly: A Review

Journal of Functional Foods, Available online 14 January 2012

Royal jelly (RJ) is an important functional food item that possess several health promoting properties. It has been widely used in commercial medical products, healthy foods and cosmetics in many countries.

RJ has been demonstrated to possess numerous functional properties such as antibacterial activity, anti-inflammatory activity, vasodilative and hypotensive activities, disinfectant action, antioxidant activity, antihypercholesterolemic activity and antitumor activity. Biological activities of RJ are mainly attributed to the bioactive fatty acids, proteins and phenolic compounds.

In consideration of potential utilisation, detailed knowledge on the composition of RJ is of major importance. The diversity of applications to which RJ can be put gives this novel food great industrial importance.

This review summarises the composition, nutritional value and functional properties of RJ.

Highlights

► Consumers and food industry have growing interest on novel foods of health-promoting properties. ► Royal jelly (RJ) is an interesting functional food with high levels of bioactive compounds. ► Biological activities of RJ are attributed to bioactive fatty acids, proteins and phenolic compounds. ► This review summarises the nutritional value and functional properties of RJ.

More Than Half of Saudis Use Bee Products as Alternative Medicine

Public Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia
Oman Med J, 2012 Jan;27(1):20-6

OBJECTIVES:

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is well established worldwide. The present work is aimed at studying the knowledge, attitude and practice of CAM by the people of Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional descriptive household survey study of the people living in Riyadh city, as well as the surrounding governorates. A multistage random sample was taken from 1(st) January to the end of March 2010, with a total number of 518 participants. Data were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire through direct interview. The data was collected based on socio-demography, as well as knowledge, attitude and practice of CAM.

RESULTS:

Participants were nearly sex-matched, consisting of approximately 70% Saudi and 30% non-Saudis. About 89% of the participants had some knowledge of CAM. Mass media e.g. (T.V., newspapers and radio) and family, relatives and friends represented the main sources of CAM knowledge, (46.5% and 46.3% respectively). Nearly 85% of participants or one of their family members has used some form of CAM before, and the most common users of CAM practices were females, housewives, and illiterate subjects (or those who could just read and write), as well as participants aged 60 years and above. Medical herbs (58.89%), prayer (54%), honey and bee products (54%), hijama (35.71%) and cauterization or medical massage therapy (22%) were the commonly used CAM practices. Most participants agreed that there are needs for; CAM practices (93.8%), regulations for CAM (94.9%), health education (96.6%), specialized centers (94.8%) and CAM clinics (92.7%). While only 8.3% of participants usually discussed CAM with their physicians.

CONCLUSION:

There is a high prevalence and increased public interest in CAM use in the Riyadh region. There is a positive attitude towards CAM, yet most participants are reluctant to share and discuss CAM information with their physicians.

Acetone Shows Highest Propolis Extraction Capacity

Chemical and Functional Characterization of Italian Propolis Obtained by Different Harvesting Methods
J. Agric. Food Chem, Just Accepted Manuscript

The composition and the antioxidant activity of Italian poplar propolis obtained using three harvesting methods and extracted with different solvents were evaluated. Waxes, balsams, resins contents were determined. Flavones and flavonols, flavanones and dihydroflavonols and total phenolics were also analyzed.

To characterize the phenolic composition, the presence of 15 compounds was verified through HPLC-MS/MS. The antioxidant activity was evaluated through 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and reducing power assays. The ability of propolis to inhibit the lipids oxidation was monitored by analyzing the hydroperoxides and TBARS formation in lipids incorporated into an O/W emulsion.

Acetone shows the highest extraction capacity. The wedges propolis have the highest concentration of active phenolic compounds (TP = 359.1 ± 16.3 GAEs/g; TFF = 5.83 ± 0.42%; TFD = 7.34 ± 1.8%) and seem to be the most promising for obtaining high-value propolis more suitable to prepare high quality dietary supplements. (TBARS = 0.012 ± 0.009 mmol std/g; RP = 0.77 ± 0.07 TEs/g).

Australian to Study Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidant Properties of Stingless Bee Propolis

Ex-Student Wins $75,000 Grant
Hannah Busch, Fraser Coast Chronicle, 2/24/2012

FORMER Urangan High School student Karina Hamilton has once again forged ahead in the science world after taking out a prestigious government grant worth $75,000 to study if bee sap can heal wounds.

The 21-year-old won the grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council to undertake a three-year study.

Ms Hamilton will try to determine the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of propolis from native Australian stingless bees.

Bees collect sap from trees and buds before returning to the hive to mix it with pollen or wax to create propolis.

"So far, no one has looked at the propolis from the Australian native bee.

"So we are hoping to discover that it has similar healing abilities (to other bee propolis)," Ms Hamilton said.

During the study, propolis from hives in the field will be applied to human cells such as white blood cells…

Honey’s Antibacterial Action Against MRSA and VRE Involves Hydroxyl Radicals from Hydrogen Peroxide

Mechanism of Honey Bacteriostatic Action Against MRSA and VRE Involves Hydroxyl Radicals Generated from Honey's Hydrogen Peroxide
Front Microbiol, 2012;3:36. Epub 2012 Feb 7

It has been recently reported that honey hydrogen peroxide in conjunction with unknown honey components produced cytotoxic effects resulting in bacterial growth inhibition and DNA degradation.

The objective of this study was twofold: (a) to investigate whether the coupling chemistry involving hydrogen peroxide is responsible for a generation of hydroxyl radicals and (b) whether (•)OH generation affects growth of multi-drug resistant clinical isolates.

The susceptibility of five different strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and four strains of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) isolates from infected wounds to several honeys was evaluated using broth microdilution assay. Isolates were identified to genus and species and their susceptibility to antibiotics was confirmed using an automated system (Vitek(®), Biomérieux(®)). The presence of the mec(A) gene, nuc gene and van(A) and (B) genes were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction.

Results showed that no clinical isolate was resistant to selected active honeys. The median difference in honeys MICs against these strains ranged between 12.5 and 6.25% v/v and was not different from the MIC against standard Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Generation of (•)OH during bacteria incubation with honeys was analyzed using 3'-(p-aminophenyl) fluorescein (APF) as the (•)OH trap. The (•)OH participation in growth inhibition was monitored directly by including APF in broth microdilution assay. The growth of MRSA and VRE was inhibited by (•)OH generation in a dose-dependent manner. Exposure of MRSA and VRE to honeys supplemented with Cu(II) augmented production of (•)OH by 30-fold and increased honey bacteriostatic potency from MIC(90) 6.25 to MIC(90)< 0.78% v/v.

Pretreatment of honeys with catalase prior to their supplementation with Cu ions fully restored bacterial growth indicating that hydroxyl radicals were produced from H(2)O(2) via the Fenton-type reaction.

In conclusion, we have demonstrated for the first time that bacteriostatic effect of honeys on MRSA and VRE was dose-dependently related to generation of (•)OH from honey H(2)O(2).

Honey Could Help Treat Gastric Ulcers

Using Food to Reduce H. pylori-Associated Inflammation
Phytotherapy Research, Early View

Inflammation is widely recognized as a risk factor for gastric H. pylori-associated disease and disruption of this process provides a potential target for intervention. Using an in vitro system, broccoli sprouts, manuka honey and omega-3 oil, singly and in combination, were screened for their ability to limit H. pylori-associated inflammation.

Each food significantly attenuated the release of IL-8 by H. pylori-infected cells, although the magnitude of this effect was variable. Only broccoli sprouts (0.125 mg/mL, w/v) were able to inhibit IL-8 release in response to TNFα, suggesting it acted by a different mechanism to the other two foods.

The combination of manuka honey (1.25%, v/v) with omega-3 oil (0.006%, v/v) failed further to reduce IL-8 levels below those observed with honey alone, but the same concentrations of omega-3 oil and manuka honey independently enhanced the antiinflammatory effect of the isothiocyanate-rich broccoli sprouts.

The results suggest that in the future certain foods may find increased clinical use as a non-antimicrobial approach for reducing the inflammation that is a major risk factor for H. pylori-associated disease, notably gastric cancer.

New Zealand’s Manuka Health to Launch Therapeutic Honey

By Gunraj Sandhu, Tops News, 2/21/2012

As per recent reports, it has been recently revealed that Waikato-based company Manuka Health is going to launch a specialized honey, which will be made using international technology.

Manuka Health Chief Executive Kerry Paul said that the honey which will be available in New Zealand from next month will increase the therapeutic and financial value of their product. The honey will be made using Japanese process, which combines the bioactive properties of the honey with other medicinal plants.

Paul said that the combination with other medicinal plant will increase the antibacterial properties of honey and will make it more effective than raw honey, which is said to be purest form of the same.

A lot of efforts have been made to develop the new form of honey, said Paul, who further affirmed that scientists at the Kobe Medical School were the ones, who said that cyclodextrins will be a great bioactive booster and will derive best results if mixed with honey…

Phenolic Extracts from Cuban Honeys Protect Red Blood Cells

Phenolics from Monofloral Honeys Protect Human Erythrocyte Membranes Against Oxidative Damage
Food and Chemical Toxicology, Available online 4 February 2012

The aim of the present work was to analyze the phenolic extracts from two monofloral Cuban honeys for their in vitro total antioxidant capacity, phenolic compounds content and free radical scavenging activity.

The phenolic extracts, rich in lipophilic compounds, were tested further for their ability to inhibit AAPH-induced oxidative damage (hemolysis, lipid peroxidation and cytosolic depletion of reduced glutathione and decrease of superoxide dismutase activity) in erythrocytes. Results indicate an important total antioxidant capacity measured by TEAC and ORAC assays, as well as a relevant radical scavenging activity performed by EPR. Moreover, 13 phenolic compounds were identified using HPLC–LC/MS with quercetin as the most abundant flavonoid.

The results also show that both extracts were able to inhibit erythrocytes oxidative damage, and that this may likely be due to their incorporation into cell membranes and their ability to cross it and reach the cytosol. In fact, flavonoid uptake by erythrocytes was further confirmed by testing quercetin, which efficiently incorporated into erythrocytes.

Overall, this study indicates that honey contains relevant antioxidant compounds responsible, at least in part, for its biological activity and that uptake of its flavonoids may provide defense and promote cell functions in erythrocytes.

Highlights

► Monofloral honey extracts have high content of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity (ORAC). ► Honey phenolic extracts have radical scavenging activity (DPPH, ABTS+ and HO). ► Honey phenolic extracts protect RBC against AAPH-induced lysis and lipid peroxidation. ► Honey phenolic extracts protect RBC from cytosolic depletion of enzymes GSH and SOD. ► Quercetin is able to incorporate into RBC structures providing defence and promoting cell function.

Honey Helps Reduce Elevated Blood Pressure

Honey Supplementation in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Elicits Antihypertensive Effect via Amelioration of Renal Oxidative Stress
Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2012;2012:374037, Epub 2012 Jan 23

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis and/or maintenance of elevated blood pressure in hypertension.

This study investigated the effect of honey on elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). It also evaluated the effect of honey on the amelioration of oxidative stress in the kidney of SHR as a possible mechanism of its antihypertensive effect.

SHR and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were randomly divided into 2 groups and administered distilled water or honey by oral gavage once daily for 12 weeks. The control SHR had significantly higher SBP and renal malondialdehyde (MDA) levels than did control WKY. The mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were significantly downregulated while total antioxidant status (TAS) and activities of GST and catalase (CAT) were higher in the kidney of control SHR.

Honey supplementation significantly reduced SBP and MDA levels in SHR. Honey significantly reduced the activities of GST and CAT while it moderately but insignificantly upregulated the Nrf2 mRNA expression level in the kidney of SHR. These results indicate that Nrf2 expression is impaired in the kidney of SHR.

Honey supplementation considerably reduces elevated SBP via amelioration of oxidative stress in the kidney of SHR.

Argentinians Use Honey in Home Medicines

Honey-Based Mixtures Used in Home Medicine by Nonindigenous Population of Misiones, Argentina
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2012;2012:579350, Epub 2012 Jan 22.

Honey-based mixtures used in home medicine by nonindigenous population of Misiones, Argentina. Medicinal mixtures are an underinvestigated issue in ethnomedical literature concerning Misiones, one of the most bioculturally diverse province of Argentina. The new culturally sensitive politics of the Provincial Health System is a response to cultural practices based on the medicinal use of plant and animal products in the home medicine of the local population.

Honey-based medicinal formulas were investigated through interviews with 39 farmers of mixed cultural (Criollos) and Polish origins in northern Misiones. Fifty plant species and 8 animal products are employed in honey-based medicines. Plants are the most dominant and variable elements of mixtures. Most of the mixtures are food medicines.

The role of honey in more than 90% of formulas is perceived as therapeutic. The ecological distribution of taxa and the cultural aspects of mixtures are discussed, particularly the European and American influences that have shaped the character of multispecies medicinal recipes.

Apitherapy Talk in Indianapolis Feb. 25

Kristine Jacobson, an AAS Board Member and an Apitherapist, will speak on Apitherapy at the Indiana Beekeepers Association.

Time: 10 am & 11 am
Place: Southport Presbyterian Church, 7525 McFarland Blvd. Indianapolis
For information, see Indiana Bee School X at www.indianabeekeeper.com

Honey Helps Treat Stomach Ulcers

Gastric Cytoprotection and Honey Intake in Albino Rats
Niger J Physiol Sci, 2011 Nov 23;26(1):39-42

Beneficial effect of honey has been widely reported particularly on wound healings, gastrointestinal disorders and as antibacterial agent. However, there is paucity of report on its cytoprotective effect on the gastric mucosa despite its common usage worldwide including Nigeria.

This study was therefore carried out to evaluate the effect of this widely consumed substance on gastric mucosa using animal model and also to explore possible mechanism of its action on the gastric mucosa.

Twenty male adult albino rats of Wistar strain, weighing between 210-220g were used in the experiment. They were randomly assigned into two groups, the control group and the honey-fed (test) group, each containing ten rats. The Control group was fed on normal rat feed and water while the test group was fed on normal rat feed with honey added to its drinking water (1ml of honey for every initial 10ml of water for each rat daily) for twenty two weeks. After twenty two weeks the rats were weighed after being starved overnight. They were anaesthetized with urethane (0.6ml/100g body weight). Gastric ulceration was induced using 1.5ml acid-alcohol prepared from equivolume of 0.1NHCl and 70% methanol introduced into the stomach via a portex cannula tied and left in place following an incision made on the antral-pyloric junction of the stomach. The acid-alcohol was allowed to stay for 1hr. After 1hr, laparatomy was performed and the stomach isolated, cut open along the greater curvature, rinsed with normal saline and fastened in place with pins on a dissecting board for ulcer examination and scores.

The result obtained showed mean ulcer scores of 14.5+0.70 for the control group and 1.6+0.11 for the test group. The result showed that honey significantly reduced ulcer scores as well as caused scanty haemorrhage in the test group compared with increased ulcer scores and multiple haemorrhage in the control group.

It is therefore concluded that honey intake offered cytoprotection on the gastric mucosa of albino rats.

Honey and Yogurt Mixture Can Help Treat Candidiasis During Pregnancy

Bee-Honey and Yogurt: A Novel Mixture for Treating Patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis During Pregnancy
Arch Gynecol Obstet, 2012 Feb 8

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the clinical and mycological cure rates of a novel mixture consisting of Bee-honey and yogurt compared to local antifungal agents for treating patients with vulvo-vaginal candidiasis (VVC) during pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This is a prospective comparative study which included 129 patients with VVC during pregnancy. The participants were allocated into study group (n = 82) who received a mixture of Bee-honey and yogurt vaginally and control group (n = 47) who received local anti-fungal agents. The Chi-square test was used to evaluate the clinical and mycological cure rates and the side-effects of both modes of therapy.

RESULTS:

The clinical cure rate was significantly higher in the study than the control group (87.8 vs. 72.3%, respectively) while the mycological cure rate was higher in the control than the study group (91.5 vs. 76.9%, respectively). Both types of therapy were favorably tolerated by most of the patients. Side effects were reported only in 24.3 and 29.7% of patients in group I and II, respectively (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

The mixture of Bee-honey and yogurt produced a high clinical cure rate and a reasonable mycological cure rate. It can be used as a complementary or an alternative to antifungal agents especially in patients with VVC during pregnancy.

Propolis Can Be Used to Store Detached Teeth

Effect of Propolis on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts
Endodontology, Volume 112, Issue 6, December 2011, Pages 843–848

The most critical factors affecting the prognosis of an avulsed tooth are extraoral dry time and storage media used before replantation. Studies have analyzed different storage media to determine the ideal solution to preserve periodontal ligament (PDL) cell viability.

Propolis has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and has been previously suggested as a storage medium. The purpose of this study was to assess not only cell viability but also physiological health of PDL cells after exposure to propolis. PDL cells were exposed to different concentrations of propolis or Hanks balanced salt solution, and the apoptotic levels were determined using apoptosis assay and flow cytometry. Additional cell viability and proliferation were analyzed by XXT assay in dry and wet conditions.

Propolis not only decreased apoptosis but also increased the metabolic activity and proliferation of PDL cells.

This study suggests that propolis is a suitable storage medium for avulsed teeth.

Audio: BBC Looks at Use of Manuka Honey for Wound Healing

BBC (UK), 2/8/2012