Propolis Kills Cancer Cells

In vitro Cytotoxic Effect of Brazilian Green Propolis on Human Laryngeal Epidermoid Carcinoma (HEp-2) Cells

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 6, Number 4 Pp. 483-487

Propolis is a sticky dark-colored material showing a very complex chemical composition that honeybees collect from plants. It has been used in folk medicine since ancient times, due to several biological properties, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities, among others. Its antitumor action in vivo and in vitro has also been reported, using propolis extracts or its isolated compounds.

The goal of this work was to evaluate propolis's cytotoxic action in vitro on human laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma (Hep-2) cells.

These cells were incubated with different concentrations of this bee product for different time periods, and morphology and the number of viable HEp-2 cells analyzed. Data showed that propolis exhibited a cytotoxic effect in vitro against HEp-2 cells, in a dose- and time-dependent way. Propolis solvent had no effects on morphology and number of viable cells, proving that the cytotoxic effects were exclusively due to propolis components.

Since humans have been using propolis for a long time, further assays will provide a better comprehension of propolis's antitumor action.

New Antioxidants Found in Honey

New Antioxidant Compounds Have Been Identified in Foods Such as Olive Oil, Honey and Nuts Using Two Analytical Techniques
Medical News Today, 11/20/2009

Scientists at the University of Granada have identified and characterized for the first time different antioxidant compounds from foods such as olive oil, honey, walnuts and a medicinal herb called Teucrium polium. They have used two new techniques, capillary electrophoresis and high resolution liquid chromatography, that have enabled them to identify and quantify a great part of the phenolic compounds contained in these foods.

Functional foods such as olive oil, honey, walnuts and a medicinal herb called Teucrium polium are able to provide different health benefits, so their study and characterization is of great interest. Among the compounds that give such functional characteristics to these foods are phenolic compounds that have generated great interest due to their antioxidant capacity, which endows them with a chemopreventive effect in humans and causes them to have a great influence on the stability of oxidation present in food. Therefore, according to UGR researchers, the "identification and quantification [of these compounds] is a good means for the characterization of foods that contain them."…

Honey Products Promoted in India

Honey Popularization Drive Held
Times of India, 11/23/2009

CHANDIGARH: Khadi and Village Industries Corporation (KVIC) organised a honey popularisation drive at Sukhna Lake on Sunday. Hundreds of locals and tourists tasted honey and enquired about various products made of it. People were told about the different ways it could be used in daily diet.

The KVIC has been celebrating this week as Honey Week. A number of talent competitions were being held at various city schools, colleges and women clubs. Winners of these contests would be awarded on Monday during the concluding function of Honey Week at Shivalik school, Sector 41, said NS Tomar, state director, KVIC, Chandigarh and Punjab region. The event is being supported by Honey Hut Cafe, Sector 22, Kashmir Apiary Doraha and Regional Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (RCED), here. The KVIC is a statutory body created by an Act of Parliament and associated with ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises, government of India. Its objective is to create sustainable eco-friendly employment opportunities in rural India. Bee-keeping is one of its major programmes which is being implemented at national level.

Propolis May Help Treat Ear Infection in Dogs

Antimicrobial Activity of Propolis Extract Against Staphylococcus coagulase Positive and Malassezia pachydermatis of Canine Otitis
Veterinary Microbiology, Article in Press

The aims of this study were to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of propolis extract by determining the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for coagulase-positive Staphylococcus isolates (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus intermedius) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) for Malassezia pachydermatis isolates.

The microorganisms were assayed using broth microdilution techniques. The MBC(90) was 21mgmL(-1), and the MFC(90) was 5.3mgmL(-1).

The propolis extract was found to exhibit antimicrobial activity against both pathogens.

Australia to Export Propolis to Korea

Million Dollar Deal Signed in Young
Young Witness, 11/23/2009

MR Jing Bang Zou, proprietor of Jim’s Honey in Young, has signed an agreement in the boardroom of Lambing Flat Enterprises with representatives of Korean company, Kim Jeong Moon Aloe Co. Ltd. on Friday morning.

The deal will see Mr Zou export Propolis (a honey extract) to Korea, in a deal that he said will be worth about one million dollars a year.

“I would expect to be exporting one tonne of Propolis every month,” said Mr Zou.

“The Koreans want our product because it is so pure, ours is the best in the world…

Honeydew Honey Conference to be Held in Greece April 7-10

International Symposium on Authenticity and Quality of Bee Products and the 2nd World Symposium on Honeydew Honey

Apimondia International Honey Commission

April 7-10th , 2010
Mediterranean Agronomic Institute
Chania, Crete, Greece

Dear honey scientists, dear beekeepers:

The Apimondia International Honey Commission is glad to invite you to the Symposium on the Authenticity and Quality of Bee Products. This Symposium will also host the 2nd World Symposium on honeydew honey which will be the continuation of the 1st Symposium, held in Tzarevo, Bulgaria in Agust 2008…

The Symposium is going to take place in the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute, Chania, Crete (MAIC) on April 7 -9th of 2010.

The goal of the Symposium is to reintegrate our knowledge on honeydew honeys, to enrich our understanding on insect producing honeydews and to justify the quality and authenticity of bee products. Communications are welcome in all aspects of honeydew honeys, on insect producing honeydews and on current work on the authenticity and quality of bee products. Papers are welcome on:

Botanical and geographical denominations
Properties and composition
Honeydew sources and harvest
Insect producing honeydews
Nutritional aspects
Prognosis of secretions
Bee manipulations for better production, etc.

All communications will be in English.

Propolis Eliminates Bacteria in Root Canals

Effectiveness of Propolis and Calcium Hydroxide as a Short-Term Intracanal Medicament Against Enterococcus faecalis: A Laboratory Study
Australian Endodontic Journal, Volume 35, Number 2, August 2009 , pp. 52-58(7)

The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of propolis-based intracanal medicament against Enterococcus faecalis using infected dentine models, and to compare its antimicrobial efficacy with that of the non-setting calcium hydroxide paste when used as a short-term medication for 1 and 2 days…

Results showed that propolis was significantly more effective than non-setting calcium hydroxide against E. faecalis after short-term application, which made comparison from this prospect unlevelled. The most effective microbiological sampling technique was abrading the lumen with headstrom file.

Propolis is very effective as intracanal medicament in rapidly eliminating E. faecalis ex vivo.

Russian Conference on Apiculture and Apitherapy, May 17-20, 2010

“Apiculture in the 21st Century” - Apiculture, Apitherapy and the Quality of Life

May 17-20, 2010, Moscow, Russia
International Industrial Academy

Unique products of apiculture, containing all the essential nutrients, are widely used for the prophylaxis and treatment of many diseases. Established in 1992 at the initiative of the Research Institute for Apiculture and Ryazan State Medical University, the Apitherapists’ Society promotes the development of this field of science in Russia by uniting creative potentials of medicine and apiculture. Fourteen All-Russian theoretical and practical conferences have been held so far, the proceedings published in the “Apitherapy Today” collected articles.

We hope that this International Conference, being at the same time the 15th All-Russian anniversary conference, will contribute to a more effective introduction of the apiculture products as an element of nutrition, thus improving people’s health and the quality of life.

On the Agenda:

• Current state of the world output of beekeeping products;
• Apiculture in Russia and around the world;
• Technologies for breeding and keeping of the bee colonies;
• Selection of the bee lines specialized in the production of certain kinds of products;
• Innovative technologies for the production and processing of beekeeping products;
• Modern methods of quality and safety control of the beekeeping products;
• Standardization in beekeeping;
• Research of the composition, nutritional value and biological activity of the beekeeping products;
• Development of technologies and remedies for apitherapy;
• Effective means of using the products of beekeeping in medical practice;
• Achievements of apitherapy in improving the quality of life.

For more information, contact:

Tel/Fax: +7 (495) 235-4281
959-6669
E-mail: dashevsky@grainfood.ru, igrfop@grainfood.ru

Bee Products May Help Treat Cancer, Eye Damage Caused by Diabetes

Bee Products Prevent VEGF-Induced Angiogenesis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 17 November 2009

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of pathogenic angiogenesis in diseases such as cancer and diabetic retinopathy. Bee products [royal jelly (RJ), bee pollen, and Chinese red propolis] from the honeybee, Apis mellifera, have been used as traditional health foods for centuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of bee products using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methods: In an in vitro tube formation assay, HUVECs and fibroblast cells were incubated for 14 days with VEGF and various concentrations of bee products [RJ, ethanol extract of bee pollen, ethanol extract of Chinese red propolis and its constituent, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE)]. To clarify the mechanism of in vitro angiogenesis, HUVEC proliferation and migration were induced by VEGF with or without various concentrations of RJ, bee pollen, Chinese red propolis, and CAPE.

Results: RJ, bee pollen, Chinese red propolis, and CAPE significantly suppressed VEGF-induced in vitro tube formation in the descending order: CAPE > Chinese red propolis >> bee pollen > RJ. RJ and Chinese red propolis suppressed both VEGF-induced HUVEC proliferation and migration. In contrast, bee pollen and CAPE suppressed only the proliferation.

Conclusions: Among the bee products, Chinese red propolis and CAPE in particular showed strong suppressive effects against VEGF-induced angiogenesis. These findings indicate that Chinese red propolis and CAPE may have potential as preventive and therapeutic agents against angiogenesis-related human diseases.

Propolis May Help Treat Bone Diseases

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester, an Active Component of Honeybee Propolis Attenuates Osteoclastogenesis and Bone Resorption via the Suppression of RANKL-Induced NF-kappaB and NFAT Activity
J Cell Physiol, 2009 Dec;221(3):642-9

Receptor activator NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-activated signaling is essential for osteoclast differentiation, activation and survival. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a natural NF-kappaB inhibitor from honeybee propolis has been shown to have anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties.

In this study, we investigated the effect of CAPE on the regulation of RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, bone resorption and signaling pathways…

Taken together, our findings demonstrate that inhibition of NF-kappaB and NFAT activation by CAPE results in the attenuation of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, implying that CAPE is a potential treatment for osteolytic bone diseases.

Video: Siege Turns Gazans to Bee Venom Therapy

Gazans Turn to Bee Venom Therapy

Bees Provide Pain Relief in Beleaguered Gaza

GAZA CITY (AFP, 11/14/09) - In a clinic in the beleaguered Gaza Strip, Ratib Samur makes his way from one patient to the next armed with little more than a small box filled with enraged bees.

He uses the bees to sting those who have come to him for help -- and amid the territory's deepening isolation, his clinic has been transformed into a hive of activity.

Since Hamas seized power in Gaza in 2007 the coastal enclave has been sealed off from all but vital aid by both Israel and Egypt, limiting the ability of Gazans to seek medical care abroad.

It has meant growing demand for Samur's bee venom treatment.

"The bee stings are really great," says Mohammed al-Dayya, paralyzed from the waist down because of muscular atrophy.

The 25-year-old used to be treated in Egypt, but has had to resort to the bees because of the closures. Confined to Gaza, he wheels himself into Samur's clinic each week to get stung, which he says has stabilized his condition.

"I no longer have this pain that used to keep me from sleeping," he said during a recent session. "This treatment made my condition stable and now it won't get worse before I am able to travel."

Most claims of apitherapy, the medical use of bee venom, are anecdotal and have not been proved to the satisfaction of scientists, although believers say it help relieve pain from multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis and certain other ailments.

Bee stings however also entail risks of serious allergic reactions, and of course the process of getting stung is not one most people would enjoy, at Samur's clinic, patients often get four to six stings a time.

Samur admits his treatment is no substitute for advanced medical care.

"I cannot help him walk again, but my treatment basically focuses on easing the pain and preventing his condition from deteriorating further," said Samur, who studied agricultural engineering in Egypt.

When the 53-year-old opened the clinic in 2003 after testing out bee venom treatments on his family and friends, he was greeted with skepticism.

"It became more acceptable when I got brilliant results from the treatment with a number of patients, and it increased even more after the Israeli siege," he said.

Israel generally allows people to leave Gaza for emergencies but grants only a limited number of permits for medical treatment abroad.

The lack of medical options and the economic crisis gripping the territory has sent hundreds of men, women and children flocking to Samur's clinic, where he pricks them with bees raised in dozens of backyard hives.

A course of three injections costs just $2.50 dollars.

Many of his patients suffer from wounds inflicted during Israel's assault on Gaza at the turn of the year aimed at halting Palestinian rocket attacks. Some 1,400 Palestinians were killed before the fighting ended on January 18…

Bee Venom Therapy Used in India

Apitherapy Now in Madurai
By Zubeda Hamid, The New Indian Express, 11/14/2009

MADURAI: The next time someone you know complains of joint pain, hot water bottles and medication need not be the only solution.

Bee venom therapy or apitherapy has just made its entry in the city and a few stings from a bee, it is believed, helps relieve pain in the joints.

Apitherapy, which is the use of beehive products including honey, pollen, royal jelly and bee venom, has been practiced for centuries in several countries.

Bee venom has been used to treat arthritis, joint pain, multiple sclerosis and other rheumatic conditions. The venom is usually put in doses at the site of pain or acupuncture sites in the body. While in some cases live bees are used, there are also creams, ointments and injectable forms of the venom used by practitioners.

Akbar Omar, the man behind the therapy in the city, has been a bee aficionado since his young days. “There has been a lot of research and documentation about the beneficial effects of bee venom for a number of ills. In fact, there is a practitioner in Mumbai who claims it helps cure up to 500 ailments,’’ he said.

Omar, who has undergone training at the Central Bee Research Institute, Pune, is launching the service free of cost, under the auspices of the Rotary Club of Madurai Meenakshi.

Therapy will soon start, once the verifications of the procedure and all formalities are completed, said V M Jose, president of the Rotary Club, adding that it was going to be a year-long community service project.

Omar who cultivated bee hives for several years and has access to bees as and when he needs them, sees no problem in acquiring them depending on the demand.

“For the therapy, I will first test the patient to make sure he is not allergic to the venom. Around two percent of people in general are allergic so this has to be ruled out. After that, I will use live bees to sting in the affected area. Treatment varies from case to case and it may take a number of sessions for beneficial effects. Right now, I want to create some awareness about the existence of such a therapy,’’ he said…

Unusual Compounds Found in Portuguese Propolis

Phenolic Characterization of Northeast Portuguese Propolis: Usual and Unusual Compounds
Anal Bioanal Chem, 2009 Nov 10

In this study, an ethanolic extract from Portuguese propolis was prepared, fractionated by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the identification of the phenolic compounds was done by electrospray mass spectrometry in the negative mode.

This technical approach allowed the identification of 37 phenolic compounds, which included not only the typical phenolic acids and flavonoids found in propolis from temperate zones but also several compounds in which its occurrence have never been referred to in the literature.

Four of the novel phenolic compounds were methylated and/or esterified or hydroxylated derivatives of common poplar flavonoids, although six peculiar derivatives of pinocembrin/pinobanksin, containing a phenylpropanoic acid derivative moiety in their structure, were also identified.

Furthermore, the Portuguese propolis sample was shown to contain a p-coumaric ester derivative dimer.

Data Compiled on Propolis Components

Recent Development of Chemical Components in Propolis
Journal Frontiers of Biology in China, Issue Volume 4, Number 4 / December, 2009

Propolis is a resinous substance collected by honeybees from various plant sources. On account of its chemical composition, propolis possesses several biological and pharmacological properties.

In recent years, many papers have provided information concerning its composition. This review compiles data from most studies of propolis, focusing on the chemical composition of ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP), water extracts of propolis (WEP), and volatile oils from propolis (VOP).

The characteristic compounds of EEP are polyphenols including flavonoids and related phenolic acids, and flavonoids are the most abundant and effective parts. They are considered to contribute more to the antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant effects than the other constituents. The main flavonoids in EEP are pinocembrin, galangin, chrysin, quercetin, kaempferol, and naringenin. The constituents reported to be in WEP include phenolic acids, caffeoylquinic acid, 3-mono-O-caffeoylquinic acid, caffeic acid, flavonoids, etc.

The propolis volatile compounds are benzyl alcohol, benzyl acetate, cinnamic alcohol, vanillin, eudensmol, cyclohexyl benzoate, and benzyl benzoate, which are responsible for several biological properties.

As a natural mixture, propolis is widely used in medicine and cosmetics, as well as being a constituent of health foods. Since propolis has been used extensively, information on its composition is not only of interest to the academic field, but also to propolis users.