New Zealand Firm Installs New Testing Equipment to Counter False Manuka Labeling Complaints

Lab equipment to help honey testing

Radio New Zealand, 9/26/2013

Leading manuka honey marketer Comvita says new laboratory equipment it is installing will be more than enough to meet any future definition and labelling requirements for the honey.

The Primary Industries Ministry is developing voluntary guidelines to counter false labelling complaints about New Zealand's most valuable honey variety while it considers whether regulations are needed.

Comvita, which specialises in natural health and beauty products, is spending another $1 million on laboratory equipment to expand its testing and research facilities for manuka honey…

Romanian Api-Congress November 1-4, 2013

The VI-th. Romanian Api-Congress, Expo and post-Congress Workshop with international participation,

FRIDAY, November 1-St.

09:00-14:30	Participants registration / Posters fixing/ Installing the booths in the Api-Expo.
10:30-11:30	Press Conference (Coordinator: Alina VARADI).
11:30-13:00	Optional short visit to HOFIGAL S.A. (Coordinator: Gabriela VLASCEANU) ·        maximum number of possible participants 21 (to be able to form 3 groups of 7persons that can visit 3 different locations); ·        the list with the names with participants will be completed in chronological order.
14:30-15:00	Official opening and visit of Api-Expo 2013 (floor XIII, RIN GRAND Hotel)
15:00-15:15	Official opening of the Congress ("Berlin" Room, floor XIII, RIN GRAND Hotel)
15:15-16:00	Importance of Bees and Medicinal Bee Plants for Biodiversity and for the Human Society. ·        Moderator: Prof. Dr. Farm. Viorica ISTUDOR (UMF Bucharest)
16:00-17:00	Bio-Pharmacological Properties of the Medicinal Bee Plants and of the Bee Products Moderator : Prof. Dr. Farm. Viorica ISTUDOR (UMF Bucharest).
17:00-17:30	Honey-Tea break
17:30-19:00	Quality of Bee Products, Nutrition and Apitherapy

Pesident of the Romanian Apitherapy Society.

E-mail: drstangaciu@gmail.com - drstangaciu@apitherapy.com

www.apiterapie.ro 

Skype ID: dr.stefan.stangaciu

http://www.facebook.com/drstangaciu

Mobile phone: (+)40-744-40.91.26

Bee Venom Helps Increase Skin Cell Rejuvenation

Voxy, 9/25/2013

Every woman wants younger-looking, brighter skin and now Kiwi women can capitalise on natural anti-aging ingredients right in their backyards. BeeBio’s leading multi-functional skincare treatments are proven to smooth out wrinkles, tighten, hydrate, moisturise the skin and more.

Containing a powerful combination of active manuka honey, bee venom, superfruit extracts and kiwi fruit, BeeBio’s Venomenous Bee Venom and Fruit Boost Face Mask and Bee Venom Eye Crème offers women of New Zealand affordable skincare treatment that not only works but has the scientific credentials behind it.

Independent research has shown BeeBio’s key ingredients of Bee Venom and Active Manuka Honey in its Venomenous Bee Venom and Fruit Boost Face Mask and Bee Venom Eye Crème help increase skin cell rejuvenation by an amazing 80%, compared to non-active face crèmes…

Ministry Working on New Guidelines for New Zealand's Medicinal Honey

Manuka honey a sticky problem for ministry

Radio New Zealand, 9/25/2013

The Ministry for Primary Industries is tackling the sticky issue of defining manuka honey.

The ministry is working on a new guideline for New Zealand's most valuable honey, after concerns were raised in some overseas markets about false claims and labelling for manuka.

Despite years of trying, the honey industry has never been able to agree on a single, legally enforceable definition for manuka.

The Government decided to step in to fill the gap with a voluntary guideline, while it looks at whether regulatory backing is necessary.

The ministry has released a discussion paper on defining the unique qualities of manuka…

Edible Vegetable Oil Extract of Propolis Shows Antifungal Activity

Antifungal Bioassay-Guided Fractionation of an Oil Extract of Propolis

Journal of Food Quality, Early View

The study aimed to evaluate the antifungal potential of an extract of propolis obtained with edible vegetable oil (ODEP) and to identify antifungal compounds in this extract. Propolis sample was extracted with canola oil. After filtration, the oily liquid extract was submitted to solvent partition and dried to obtain ODEP, which was tested in vitro against Candida albicans strains. ODEP was fractioned on Sephadex and by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Active fractions and/or a pure compound were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance, liquid chromatographic mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to characterize their chemical composition. Bioassay-guided fractionation allowed the isolation of dihydrokaempferide, which was also quantified in ODEP by HPLC together with the total flavonoid content. Kaempferide and isosakuranetin were identified by LC–MS and LC–MS/MS in fractions with a potential activity against C. albicans. In vitro assays showed that some fractions from ODEP produced better inhibition of C. albicans than the propolis extract itself.

Practical Applications

Aqueous or ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) are widely used in alternative homemade medicine products mainly because of their antimicrobial and healing properties. Edible vegetal oils are known to extract bioactive compounds from propolis. The resulting extract (ODEP) has several advantages over the common EEP, such as the possibility of new pharmaceutical presentations for topical or internal applications. Because of the absence of ethanol in its formulation, edible ODEP are expected to be more tolerated. In this study, ODEP was active in vitro against Candida albicans strains. This supports the use of ODEP as an alternative to EEP and also its potential for topical application in combination with antifungal drugs. In addition, the ingestion of ODEP (e.g., contained in gelatin capsules), which have a high percentage of flavonoids, could be of nutritional value, helping to reach the recommended daily amounts of flavonoids and phenolic compounds.

Royal Jelly a Rich Sources of Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)

HPLC determination of pantothenic acid in royal jelly

Anal. Methods, 2013

Although royal jelly constitutes one of the richest natural sources of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), a reliable and validated chromatographic method to determine this analyte in this matrix has yet to be described in literature. In this work we present an original RP-HPLC procedure to measure the concentration of pantothenic acid in royal jelly. A sample pre-treatment is needed to prevent the interference of high protein concentration in the matrix. 

The method has been validated in terms of LoD, LoQ, linearity, precision (repeatability and reproducibility) and bias. Finally, the whole procedure was tested on a number of samples of royal jelly from different origin, providing concentration values spanning from 120±30 to 565±40 mg Kg-1 of pantothenic acid.

Propolis May Help Prevent Colorectal Cancer

Propolis Augments Apoptosis Induced by Butyrate via Targeting Cell Survival Pathways

PLoS One, 2013 Sep 4;8(9):e73151

Diet is one of the major lifestyle factors affecting incidence of colorectal cancer (CC), and despite accumulating evidence that numerous diet-derived compounds modulate CC incidence, definitive dietary recommendations are not available.

We propose a strategy that could facilitate the design of dietary supplements with CC-preventive properties. Thus, nutrient combinations that are a source of apoptosis-inducers and inhibitors of compensatory cell proliferation pathways (e.g., AKT signaling) may produce high levels of programmed death in CC cells.

Here we report the combined effect of butyrate, an apoptosis inducer that is produced through fermentation of fiber in the colon, and propolis, a honeybee product, on CC cells. We established that propolis increases the apoptosis of CC cells exposed to butyrate through suppression of cell survival pathways such as the AKT signaling. The programmed death of CC cells by combined exposure to butyrate and propolis is further augmented by inhibition of the JNK signaling pathway. Analyses on the contribution of the downstream targets of JNK signaling, c-JUN and JAK/STAT, to the apoptosis of butyrate/propolis-treated CC cells ascertained that JAK/STAT signaling has an anti-apoptotic role; whereas, the role of cJUN might be dependent upon regulatory cell factors.

Thus, our studies ascertained that propolis augments apoptosis of butyrate-sensitive CC cells and re-sensitizes butyrate-resistant CC cells to apoptosis by suppressing AKT signaling and downregulating the JAK/STAT pathway.

Future in vivo studies should evaluate the CC-preventive potential of a dietary supplement that produces high levels of colonic butyrate, propolis, and diet-derived JAK/STAT inhibitors.

Propolis Component Has Neuroprotective Effect

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester prevents apoptotic cell death in the developing rat brain after pentylenetetrazole-induced status epilepticus

Epilepsy Behav, 2013 Sep 5. pii: S1525-5050(13)00407-1

Population-based studies suggest that seizure incidence is highest during the first year of life, and early-life seizures frequently result in the development of epilepsy and behavioral alterations later in life. The early-life insults like status epilepticus often lead to epileptogenesis, a process in which initial brain injury triggers cascades of molecular, cellular, and network changes and eventually spontaneous seizures.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester is an active component of propolis obtained from honeybees and has neuroprotective properties. The aim of this study was to investigate whether caffeic acid phenethyl ester exerts neuroprotective effects on the developing rat brain after status epilepticus. Twenty-one dams reared Wistar male rats, and 21-day-old rats were divided into three groups: control group, pentylenetetrazole-induced status epilepticus group, and caffeic acid phenethyl ester-treated group. Status epilepticus was induced on the first day of experiment. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester injections (30mg/kg intraperitoneally) started 40min after the tonic phase of status epilepticus was reached, and the injections of caffeic acid phenethyl ester were repeated over 5days. Rats were sacrificed, and brain tissues were collected on the 5th day of experiment after the last injection of caffeic acid phenethyl ester. Apoptotic cell death was evaluated.

Histopathological examination showed that caffeic acid phenethyl ester significantly preserved the number of neurons in the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus regions of the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. It also diminished apoptosis in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex.

In conclusion, this experimental study suggests that caffeic acid phenethyl ester administration may be neuroprotective in status epilepticus in the developing rat brain.

Ask The Pharmacist: Propolis is Perfect for Immunity, Blood Sugar and Cholesterol

By Suzy Cohen, Naples News, 9/19/2013

Question: I take a dozen antibiotics per year due to frequent infections. What else can I take? Don’t worry, I take probiotics, what I want is a natural antibiotic. M.W., Santa Barbara, California

Answer: For millions of years, honeybees have protected themselves with a sticky substance called propolis to coat and clean their hives. Call it “bee glue” this compound has exceptional medicinal benefits just like other tree saps such as Frankincense and Myrrh.

Propolis has over 200 active ingredients including cinnamic acid derivatives which cause cancer cells inside you to kill themselves (even leukemia). It has antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, anti-fungal and antimicrobial effects. I’m stocking up now before cough and cold season rolls in. The Brazilian species, as in Brazilian green propolis has higher amounts of these healing compounds, sold at health food stores and online. When combined with vitamin D, probiotics, Matcha tea, Maitake mushrooms and prescribed low-dose naltrexone (LDN about 4.5mg at night), I am confident you will ramp up your immune system. Talk to your doctor about these options. Now, I’d like to focus on how propolis can rapidly clear the body of dangerous pathogens, improve blood sugar and cholesterol, all the while reducing pain-causing cytokines.

Artepillin C, a compound in propolis shuts down NFKB, a metabolic pathway in your body that churns inflammatory compounds that make you hurt. So propolis is an anti-inflammatory…

Video Profile of Ohio Apitherapist

Episode #13: Love & Venom

Filmed on location in Wellington, Ohio, Episode 13 shares the story of Don Downs -- an electrician by day and at night a bee sting therapist.

Honey: Viciously Effective Against Drug-Resistant Superbugs (Video)

By Jobs & Hire, 9/16/2013

Honey has been discovered to be highly efficient against drug resistant superbugs

Besides being used as sweeteners and as additional ingredient to a variety of sweet treats, honey has been used in the ancient times to treat bacteria.

And now, scientists believe that honey could be the key to unlocking the Achilles heel of several threatening drug-resistant bacteria that are responsible for hundreds of flu-related deaths all over the country. Several bacteria have evolved to become resistant to the antibiotics prescribed to kill them, due to overprescription, exposing the bacteria to develop immunity.

However, studies have revealed that a type of honey, called Manuka honey can fight these superbugs: it can kill the bugs and also prevent them from evolving a resistance to prescribed antibiotics…

Propolis Has a Load of Benefits

The Observer, 9/17/2013

Propolis obtained from beehives is touted as a treatment for numerous ailments – the common cold, peptic ulcers, coughs, tuberculosis, toothaches, cold sores (those wounds that usually “grow” at mouth corners and we attribute them to malaria), genital herpes, as well as nose and throat cancer.

It is also said that it can be used in the treatment of burns and wounds and where it is used, it quickens healing. But can propolis be used to effectively treat the above-mentioned disease conditions? What are the health benefits of propolis?

Dr Grace Nambatya, director of research at Natural Chemotherapeutics Laboratory, ministry of Health,  says because propolis is a “natural antibiotic, it can be used anywhere where there is bacteria”. She lists conditions such as cough, peptic ulcers and tooth infections as those that can be treated with “formulations containing propolis”.

Other than being a natural antibiotic, propolis has been shown to possess antiseptic, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to always have a bottle handy in your medicine cabinet…

Video: Royal Jelly Helps Treat Mild Cognitive Impairment

Effect of Memo®, a natural formula combination, on Mini-Mental State Examination scores in patients with mild cognitive impairment

Clin Interv Aging, 2013;8:975-81. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S44777. Epub 2013 Jul 24.

BACKGROUND:

Mild cognitive impairment encompasses the clinical continuum between physiologic age-related cognitive changes and dementia. A variety of medications, including herbal preparations (in particular Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng), have been advocated as treatments for cognitive impairment in the elderly. In this study, we investigated the effect of an already marketed dietary supplement (Memo®) combining 750 mg of lyophilized royal jelly with standardized extracts of G. biloba 120 mg and P. ginseng 150 mg on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

METHODS:

Sixty-six subjects presenting with forgetfulness and satisfying the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) clinical criteria for mild cognitive impairment were randomly divided into an experimental group treated with one Memo capsule before breakfast daily for 4 weeks and a control group who took placebo. The mean change in MMSE score from baseline and reported adverse effects were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS:

The mean change in MMSE score in the group treated with Memo for 4 weeks was significantly greater than in the control group (+2.07 versus +0.13, respectively) by the Student's t-test (t = 6.485, P < 0.0001). This was also true after adjusting for age as a covariate and educational level as a factor nested within the treatment groups in a general linear model (analysis of covariance, F = 9.675 [corrected model], P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION:

This combined triple formula may be beneficial in treating the cognitive decline that occurs during the aging process as well as in the early phases of pathologic cognitive impairment typical of insidious-onset vascular dementia and in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Larger-sized studies with longer treatment durations are needed to confirm this.

Croatian Company Launches Propolis Based Natural Product for Dogs

Croatian Times, 9/12/2013

Croatian company Hedera from the Adriatic port of Split has launched a product for immunity of dogs.

The Apipet is a product based on propolis created to boost pet's immunity system...

Heather Honey Best for Treating Horse Wounds

The Horse, 9/10/2013

Scottish researchers have some sweet news in the field of equine wound healing: Honey’s all the buzz in natural wound remedies, and according to recent research, it works with horses, too. Better yet, it’s not just the tried-and-true manuka honey that works, but a wide variety of honeys from different parts of the world…

Pollock and colleagues investigated the effects of 28 different honeys—the majority of which were purchased at a local supermarket—on infectious agents recovered from equine wounds. They first tested the honeys for the presence of infectious agents of their own. They then tested those considered “uncontaminated” in a laboratory on 10 different bacteria isolates from equine wounds.

As it turned out, most of the honeys—18 of them—were already contaminated with infectious agents, including Bacillus spp, Proteus spp, an unidentified Enterobacteriaceae organism, and an unidentified fungus, Pollock said. The other honeys—local varieties primarily from Scotland and North Africa, as well as some “medicinal” manuka honeys packaged as veterinary ointments—were all found to be effective in killing all 10 of the tested bacteria, he said. That list of bacteria even included stubborn pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus…

Interestingly, the “medicinal” honeys weren't necessarily the most effective, Pollock added. In fact, the best performance came from Scottish heather honey, which inhibited the growth of all 10 bacterial isolates at very low concentrations (ranging from only 2-6%)…

Gelam Honey Exhibits Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Gelam Honey Attenuates Carrageenan-Induced Rat Paw Inflammation via NF-κB Pathway

PLoS One, 2013 Aug 28;8(8):e72365

The activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of a number of inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Gelam honey in inflammation induced rats via NF-κB signalling pathway.

Rats paw edema was induced by subplantar injection of 1% carrageenan into the right hind paw. Rats were pre-treated with Gelam honey at different doses (1 or 2 g/kg, p.o.) and NSAID Indomethacin (10 mg/kg, p.o.), in two time points (1 and 7 days). Our results showed that Gelam honey at both concentrations suppressed the gene expressions of NF-κB (p65 & p50) and IκBα in inflamed rats paw tissues. In addition, Gelam honey inhibited the nuclear translocation and activation of NF-κB and decreased the cytosolic degradation of IκBα dose dependently in inflamed rats paw tissues. The immunohistochemical expressions of pro-inflammatory mediators COX-2 and TNF-α were also decreased in inflamed rats paw tissues when treated with Gelam honey.

The results of our findings suggest that Gelam honey exhibits its inhibitory effects by attenuating NF-κB translocation to the nucleus and inhibiting IκBα degradation, with subsequent decrease of inflammatory mediators COX-2 and TNF-α.

Honey, Propolis Component a Promising Anticancer Drug

Anti-tumor activity evaluation of novel chrysin-organogermanium(IV) complex in MCF-7 cells

Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 2013 Aug 19. pii: S0960-894X(13)00995-5

Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxylflavone, Chry) is a natural product extracted from plants, honey, and propolis. In this work, a novel chrysin-organogermanium(IV) complex (Chry-Ge) with enhanced anticancer activities was synthesized, and its potential anticancer effects against cancer cells were measured using various methods.

MTT results showed that Chry-Ge had significant inhibition effects on the proliferation of MCF-7, HepG2 and Colo205 human cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner while had little cytotoxic effects on MCF-10A human normal cells (MCF-10A cells) with the same treatment of Chry-Ge. These results suggested that Chry-Ge possessed enhanced anticancer effects and high selectivity between cancer cells and normal cells. The immuno-staining results showed that the nuclei of MCF-7 cells represented a total fragmented morphology and a disorganized cytoskeletal network in MCF-7 cells after Chry-Ge treatment. Besides, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was applied to detect the changes of ultrastructural and biomechanical properties of MCF-7 cellular membrane induced by Chry-Ge.

The AFM data indicated that Chry-Ge treatment directly caused the decrease of cell rigidity and adhesion force of MCF-7 cells, suggesting that membrane toxicity might be one of the targets for Chry-Ge in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, the fluorescence-based flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that Chry-Ge could induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells in ROS-dependent mitochondrial pathway.

All results collectively showed that Chry-Ge could be as a promising anticancer drug for cancer therapy.

Scientists Study Bee Venom Component to Find New Treatments for Disease

Study of melittin-based pore formation also applies to anticancer drugs

American Bee Journal Extra-News, August 15, 2013

HOUSTON -- (Aug. 14, 2013) -- A new study by Rice University biophysicists offers the most comprehensive picture yet of the molecular-level action of melittin, the principal toxin in bee venom.

The research could aid in the development of new drugs that use a similar mechanism as melittin's to attack cancer and bacteria…

Propolis Extract - Natural Medicine

WoBeek, 9/5/2013

Propolis is sticky mixed substance that bees produce for sealing little holes, spaces between frames or similar unwanted places in hive. It is called "natural medicine,” used for the relief of various human conditions as viral diseases, dental and throat problems or for immunity strengthening.

U.S. Wound Care Firm Buys Stake in New Zealand Manuka Honey Products Manufacturer

Derma Buys Into Comvita

Radio New Zealand, 9/5/2013

Derma Sciences, a specialist wound care company, has bought a 7% stake in manuka honey products manufacturer Comvita.

The two companies have a history of working together: Derma Sciences owns the global licence to make Comvita's Medihoney products, and Comvita already owns a 6% stake in Derma.

Global demand for manuka honey is increasing and Derma says the investment helps secure the supply of its biggest single raw ingredient…

Bee Sting Therapy is Available in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 15, 2013): Acupuncture using bee sting, which is popular in China, is actually available in Malaysia.

A bee farm operator, Shaiful Hizam Harman, introduced the alternative treatment at his house since early last year.

Shaiful, 40, believes in the potential of the bees for treatment and that they are not reared just for honey after doing his research on the bees and studying the Quran.

"This therapy is known as Apitherapy and I also use bees from Italy, from the Apis mellifera species," he told Bernama here today…

Brazilian Stingless Bee Honey Antioxidant Activity Higher in Samples with More Phenolic Compounds

Phenolic profile, antioxidant activity and palynological analysis of stingless bee honey from Amazonas, Northern Brazil

Food Chem, 2013 Dec 15;141(4):3552-8

In this study honey samples produced by Melipona (Michmelia) seminigra merrillae, collected in seven counties distributed in the central and southern region of Amazonas state in Brazil, were analysed for their botanical origin, content and profile of phenolic compounds, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Twenty-two pollen types were identified. The total phenolic content ranged from 17 to 66mgGAE/g of extract; the highest contents were found in honeys produced from pollen types such as Clidemia and Myrcia.

The antioxidant activity was higher in the samples that contained higher quantities of phenolic compounds. In relation to the antibacterial activity, samples CAD3, CAD4 and SAD3 presented the best results. Fourteen phenolic compounds were determined. Among them, we identified the flavonoid taxifolin, which has not previously been described in honeys from stingless bees, and we report the identification of catechol in Brazilian honey samples for the first time.

Propolis Gels Show Antifungal Action Similar to Clotrimazole Cream

Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Gels with Propolis (EPP-AF) in Preclinical Treatment of Candidiasis Vulvovaginal Infection

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:641480

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is the second cause of vaginal infection in the USA. Clinical treatment of C. albicans infections is routinely performed with polyenes and azole derivatives. However, these drugs are responsible for undesirable side effects and toxicity. In addition, C. albicans azole and echinocandin resistance has been described.

Propolis is a bee product traditionally used due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and other properties. Therefore, the present work aimed to evaluate different propolis presentations in order to evaluate their in vitro and in vivo efficacy.

The methodologies involved antifungal evaluation, chemical analysis, and the effects of the rheological and mucoadhesive properties of propolis based gels. The obtained results demonstrated the fungicide action of propolis extracts against all three morphotypes (yeast, pseudohyphae, and hyphae) studied. The highest level of fungal cytotoxicity was reached at 6-8 hours of propolis cell incubation. Among the based gel formulations developed, the rheological and mucoadhesive results suggest that propolis based carbopol (CP1%) and chitosan gels were the most pseudoplastic ones. CP1% was the most mucoadhesive preparation, and all of them presented low thixotropy.

Results of in vivo efficacy demonstrated that propolis based gels present antifungal action similar to clotrimazole cream, suggesting that future clinical studies should be performed.

Traditional and Modern Uses of Natural Honey In Human Diseases: A Review

Iran J Basic Med Sci, 2013 Jun;16(6):731-42

Honey is a by-product of flower nectar and the upper aero-digestive tract of the honey bee, which is concentrated through a dehydration process inside the bee hive. Honey has a very complex chemical composition that varies depending on the botanical source. It has been used both as food and medicine since ancient times. Human use of honey is traced to some 8000 years ago as depicted by Stone Age paintings. In addition to important role of natural honey in the traditional medicine, during the past few decades, it was subjected to laboratory and clinical investigations by several research groups and it has found a place in modern medicine.

Honey has been reported to have an inhibitory effect on around 60 species of bacteria, some species of fungi and viruses. Antioxidant capacity of honey is important in many disease conditions and is due to a wide range of compounds including phenolics, peptides, organic acids, enzymes, and Maillard reaction products. Honey has also been used in some gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, inflammatory and neoplastic states.

This review covers the composition, physico-chemical properties and the most important uses of natural honey in human diseases.

Vet Treats Cat’s Wound with Honey

Feline Gangrenous Mastitis

Can Vet J, 2013 Mar;54(3):292-4

A 3.7-kg, 3-year-old intact female domestic shorthaired cat was presented with the chief complaint of anorexia and lethargy of 3 days duration with a noticeable decrease in body condition and a large open wound on her ventral caudal abdomen. A diagnosis of acute mastitis with gland abscessation was made.

The patient was successfully treated with oral antibiotics and open wound management using surgical debridement and lavage followed by wound dressings using honey.

Honey-Garlic Combination Boosts Antibacterial Activity

Combined antibacterial activity of stingless bee (Apis mellipodae) honey and garlic (Allium sativum) extracts against standard and clinical pathogenic bacteria

Asian Pac J Trop Biomed, 2013 Sep;3(9):725-31

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the synergic antibacterial activity of garlic and tazma honey against standard and clinical pathogenic bacteria.

METHODS:

Antimicrobial activity of tazma honey, garlic and mixture of them against pathogenic bacteria were determined. Chloramphenicol and water were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration of antimicrobial samples were determined using standard methods.

RESULTS:

Inhibition zone of mixture of garlic and tazma honey against all tested pathogens was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater than garlic and tazma honey alone. The diameter zone of inhibition ranged from (18±1) to (35±1) mm for mixture of garlic and tazma honey, (12±1) to (20±1) mm for tazma honey and (14±1) to (22±1) mm for garlic as compared with (10±1) to (30±1) mm for chloramphenicol. The combination of garlic and tazma honey (30-35 mm) was more significantly (P≤0.05) effective against Salmonella (NCTC 8385), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Lyesria moncytogenes (ATCC 19116) and Streptococcus pneumonia (ATCC 63). Results also showed considerable antimicrobial activity of garlic and tazma honey. MIC of mixture of garlic and tazma honey at 6.25% against total test bacteria was 88.9%. MIC of mixture of garlic and tazma honey at 6.25% against Gram positive and negative were 100% and 83.33%, respectively. The bactericidal activities of garlic, tazma honey, and mixture of garlic and tazma honey against all pathogenic bacteria at 6.25% concentration were 66.6%, 55.6% and 55.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

This finding strongly supports the claim of the local community to use the combination of tazma honey and garlic for the treatment of different pathogenic bacterial infections. Therefore, garlic in combination with tazma honey can serve as an alternative natural antimicrobial drug for the treatment of pathogenic bacterial infections. Further in vivo study is recommended to come up with a comprehensive conclusion.

Bee Pollen, Bee Venom and MS

Top Herbs and Health Supplements for MS Sufferers

Guardian Express, 9/1/2013

Top Herbs and Health Supplements for MSThe following list does not cover every accessible herbal or supplementary choice for healing the symptoms of MS. Instead, the register boasts a short summary of the significant data about each of the most common herbs and supplements used by persons with MS…

Bee Pollen or Venom

Venom of honeybees is a clear liquid and treatment of bee stings with the venom of bees is called apitherapy (the venom is furthermore known as apitoxin).  Unlike numerous of the other herbs and supplements utilized to heal MS and its symptoms, bee venom has been expressly studied for its effects on MS in several clinical tests. These human tests were typically small and there are still not enough information to know for certain whether venom-derived treatments may be helpful for treating MS. Trials displaying benefits are unreliable. Other ones show that bee venom treatment is ineffective, insufficiently studied, or downright unsafe.

Bee pollen, on the other hand, is progressively utilized as a dietary supplement. Although its properties are still under inquiry, it seems to have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Others claim it is helpful in increasing immune scheme for well-being and fighting chronic infections.  Study is restricted and dangerous allergic reactions to bee pollen are likely.  Persons with supposed allergies to bee stings or bee pollen should avoid all treatment options utilizing extracts or products from honeybees. (As always, consult your treatment physician before taking any herbs or other supplements.)…

Bee Venom Therapy Popular in Bahrain

Bee sting therapy creating a buzz...

By FRANCES LEATE, Gulf Daily News,  September 01, 2013

GETTING stung by a bee means nothing but pain and unpleasantness for most people, but for some it could mean a cure for their weak immune system, aching joints or bad eyesight.

An increasing number of patients are apparently ditching prescription drugs and opting for a bee sting instead.

The venom contained in a single bee sting is said to help the human body produce vital antibodies capable of fighting off a variety of health complaints and diseases.

Some health experts have even claimed the antibodies we produce after being stung by a honey bee could help combat cancer.

Following in the footsteps of the US, where an estimated 65,000 people have opted for the unusual treatment, health centres in Bahrain are offering bee venom therapy, or "Apitherapy" as it is commonly known…

Is The Bee Venom Beauty Trend Killing Bees?

Behind the buzz of this hot new ingredient

By Marygrace Taylor, Prevention, August 2013

Bee venom’s been getting major buzz (sorry, couldn’t help it!) in the beauty world for its purported abilities to make your lips look like Angelina Jolie’s and give your skin that smooth suppleness you haven’t seen since your twenties. But where the heck is the stuff actually coming from—and does it spell bad news for our hive-dwelling friends?

First, a little background for the uninitiated. Bee venom, (scientific name: apitoxin) is the clear, odorless liquid that’s injected into your skin when a honeybee stings you. It consists of more than 20 known compounds, the most prominent being melittin, a protein that boasts powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties. In the case of enhancing your epidermis, lip boosters and anti-aging creams use bee venom to trick skin into thinking it’s actually been stung, says Purvisha Patel, MD, a Memphis dermatologist and owner of Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates. “This causes the body to direct blood toward the area, stimulating the production of collagen, which strengthens tissue, and elastin, which helps the skin to remain taut and bounce back into shape,” she says…

Egyptian Propolis Protects Rabitts From Pasteurellosis

Protective Effect of Egyptian Propolis against Rabbit Pasteurellosis

BioMed Research International

Volume 2013 (2013), Article ID 163724, 9 pages

The present study was conducted to study the protective effect of ethanolic extract of propolis given subcutaneously (S/C) either alone or in combination with inactivated formalized Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) vaccine in rabbits challenged with virulent P. multocida strain.

Twenty-eight New-Zealand rabbits, 6–8 weeks old and not vaccinated against pasteurellosis, were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group (1) was kept as nonvaccinated control. Group (2) was injected S/C with propolis. Group (3) was vaccinated (S/C) with P. multocida vaccine only. Group (4) was injected with vaccine mixed with propolis as adjuvant. Groups (2, 3, and 4) received the same doses of propolis and vaccine after 4 weeks as a booster dose.

The experiment continued for six weeks during which clinical signs, body weight, and mortality rate were recorded. Blood samples were collected every 2 weeks of treatment for evaluating the erythrogram and biochemical parameters. At the end of six weeks, all groups were subjected to challenge with a virulent strain of P. multocida. Two weeks later, tissue specimens were collected from different organs for histopathological investigation. Results showed that before challenge all rabbits of different groups were apparently healthy and had good appetite.

After challenge, control group (1) showed acute form of the disease, 100% mortality rate, and severe histopathological changes. Rabbits of groups (2 and 3) showed less severe clinical signs, mortality rate, and histopathological changes than control. Rabbits of group (4) were apparently healthy with normal histological picture.

In conclusion, an ethanolic extract of propolis injected alone or combined with formalized inactivated P. multocida vaccine improved general health conditions, liver and kidney functions in addition to reduction of the severity of adverse clinical signs, mortality rates, and histopathological changes associated with challenge of rabbits with P. multocida strain.