Propolis May Help Treat Leishmaniasis

Propolis reduces Leishmania amazonensis-induced inflammation in the liver of BALB/c mice

Parasitol Res. 2015 Dec 28. [Epub ahead of print]

Experimental models of mouse paw infection with L. amazonensis show an induction of a strong inflammatory response in the skin, and parasitic migration may occur to secondary organs with consequent tissue injury. There are few studies focusing on the resolution of damage in secondary organs caused by Leishmania species-related cutaneous leishmaniasis.

We investigated the propolis treatment effect on liver inflammation induced by Leishmania amazonensis infection in the mouse paw. BALB/c mice were infected in the hind paw with L. amazonensis (107) promastigote forms. After 15 days, animals were treated daily with propolis (5 mg/kg), Glucantime (10 mg/kg), or with propolis plus Glucantime combined. After 60 days, mice were euthanized and livers were collected for inflammatory process analysis. Liver microscopic analysis showed that propolis reduced the inflammatory process compared to untreated infected control. There was a decrease of liver myeloperoxidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase activity levels, collagen fiber deposition, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and plasma aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels. Furthermore, propolis treatment enhanced anti-inflammatory cytokine levels and reversed hepatosplenomegaly.

Our data demonstrated that daily low doses of Brazilian propolis reduced the secondary chronic inflammatory process in the liver caused by L. amazonensis subcutaneous infection in a susceptible mice strain.

Damage to Normal Cells Should Be Considered in Bee Venom Therapy

Melittin induced cytogenetic damage, oxidative stress and changes in gene expression in human peripheral blood lymphocytes

Toxicon. 2015 Dec 15. pii: S0041-0101(15)30152-5

Melittin (MEL) is the main constituent and principal toxin of bee venom. It is a small basic peptide, consisting of a known amino acid sequence, with powerful haemolytic activity. Since MEL is a nonspecific cytolytic peptide that attacks lipid membranes thus leading to toxicity, the presumption is that it could have significant therapeutic benefits.

The aim was to evaluate the cyto/genotoxic effects of MEL in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs) and the molecular mechanisms involved using a multi-biomarker approach. We found that MEL was cytotoxic for HPBLs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. It also induced morphological changes in the cell membrane, granulation and lysis of exposed cells.

After treating HPBLs with non-cytotoxic concentrations of MEL, we observed increased DNA damage including oxidative DNA damage as well as increased formation of micronuclei and nuclear buds, and decreased lymphocyte proliferation determined by comet and micronucleus assays. The observed genotoxicity coincided with increased formation of reactive oxygen species, reduction of glutathione level, increased lipid peroxidation and phospholipase C activity, showing the induction of oxidative stress. MEL also modulated the expression of selected genes involved in DNA damage response (TP53, CDKN1A, GADD45α, MDM), oxidative stress (CAT, SOD1, GPX1, GSR and GCLC) and apoptosis (BAX, BCL-2, CAS-3 and CAS-7).

Results indicate that MEL is genotoxic to HPBLs and provide evidence that oxidative stress is involved in its DNA damaging effects. MEL toxicity towards normal cells has to be considered if used for potential therapeutic purposes.

Acacia Honey May Help Treat Alzheimer's Disease, Cancer

Potential biological activity of acacia honey

Front Biosci (Elite Ed). 2016 Jan 1;8:351-357.

Recent advances in functional foods-based research have increasingly become an area of major interest because it affects human health and activities. Functional foods are classes of foods with health promoting and disease preventing properties in addition to multiple nutritional values and of such type is honey. Acacia honey is a type of honey produced by bees (Apis mellifera) fed on Acacia flowers, hence the name. This review focuses on the potential biological activities of Acacia honey which includes quality, antioxidant, immuno-modulatory, antiproliferative and neurological properties at in vitro and in vivo levels.

Based on our review, Acacia honey used from various researches is of high purity, contains some bioactive compounds ranging from vitamins, phenolics, flavonoids and fatty acids. It's highly nutritional with strong antioxidant and immuno-modulatory potentials which may therefore be considered a potential candidate for both cancer prevention and treatment.

Neurologically, it may be considered as a viable therapeutic agent in the management of Alzheimer's disease.

Turkish Propolis May Help Treat Cancer

Antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity of Turkish propolis on human lung cancer cell line

Nutr Cancer. 2015 Dec 23:1-8

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease, two of whose characteristic features are uncontrollable cell proliferation and insufficient apoptosis. Various studies have investigated the antiproliferative effects of propolis, a natural bee product, from different countries, and its cytotoxic effects have been attributed to its polyphenol contents. The purpose of this study was to show the cytotoxic effects, and possible mechanisms involved, of ethanolic extract of Turkish propolis (EEP) on the human lung cancer (A549) cell line.

Cytotoxic activity of EEP on A549 cells was revealed using the MTT assay. Mechanisms involved in the cytotoxic action of EEP on A549 cells were then investigated in terms of apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential and cell cycle using flow cytometry, endoplasmic reticulum stress using RT-PCR, and caspase activity using luminometric analysis. EEP exhibited selective toxicity against A549 cells compared to normal fibroblast cells. We determined that EEP arrested the cell cycle of A549 cells at the G1 phase, induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, caspase activity, and apoptosis and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential.

These results indicate that Turkish propolis is capable of reducing cancer cell proliferation and may have a promising role to play in the development of new anticancer drugs in the future.

Is there a difference in mad honey poisoning between geriatric and non-geriatric patient groups?

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2015 Dec;19(23):4647-53

OBJECTIVE:

This study aims to investigate the demographic, toxicological characteristics of the mad honey intoxication at ages 65 and above, to analyze the electrocardiographic parameters, and to compare with the mad honey intoxication at ages below 65 years.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Eighty-two patients, who had been treated and followed-up between June 2013 and November 2014 in the Emergency Service of the Findikli State Hospital, Turkey, due to diagnosis of mad honey intoxication, were included in our observational study. Age, gender, toxicological characteristics, laboratory parameters, heart rates, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, laboratory analyses and electrocardiographic data of the patients were recorded and analyzed. Patients with known coronary artery disease, chronic renal failure, arrhythmias, valvular heart disease, history of thyroid disease and electrolyte imbalance were not included in the study.

RESULTS:

Eighty-two (80.5% was male and the mean age was 53 ± 15 years) patients followed-up due to mad honey intoxication were included in our study. There were 64 (78%) patients aged below 65 years, and 18 (22%) patients aged 65 and above. The mean heart rate was 45 ± 7 beats/min, systolic blood pressure was 83 ± 12 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure was 52 ± 9 mmHg on admission. The onset of symptoms of the patients was found as 0.84 hours on average after mad honey consumption, the average amount of honey consumed was 3.7 ± 1.1 tablespoons, and the mean recovery time of the symptoms was found to be 1.04 hours. The most common presenting symptoms were nausea-vomiting in 82 (100%) patients and dizziness in 73 (89%) patients. Patients were found to consume mad honey mostly for achieving a remission in gastrointestinal complaints (n=18, 22%), and for utilizing its blood pressure lowering properties (n=11, 13.4%), in addition to the dietary consumption. Looking at the heart rates of the patients on admission to the emergency service, 65 (79.3%) patients had normal sinus rhythm/sinus bradycardia, 12 (14.6%) patients had a 1st degree atrioventricular block, 3 (3.7%) patients had nodal rhythm, 1 (1.2%) patient had atrial fibrillation and 1 (1.2%) patient had preexcitation. There were no significant pathological findings in the routine laboratory examinations of patients. It was found that all patients achieved normal sinus rhythm and normal blood pressure values after medical treatment, and were discharged approximately 5.65 hours after observation and follow-up. In our study, prolonged intensive-care need, pacemaker need and mortality caused by mad honey intoxication were not found. In the comparison of data of all patients above and below 65 years of age, there was a statistically significant finding that the geriatric patients consume mad honey mostly for hypotensive purposes and gastrointestinal complaints; in addition, the symptoms were starting early and the recovery period was longer in geriatric patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

The mad honey poisoning should be considered in previously healthy patients with unexplained symptoms of bradycardia, hypotension, and atrioventricular block. Therefore, diet history should carefully be obtained from the patients admitted with bradycardia and hypotension. And, in addition to the primary cardiac, neurological and metabolic disorders, mad honey intoxication should also be considered in the differential diagnosis. In geriatric patients admitted due to mad honey intoxication, the mad honey is usually consumed to reduce blood pressure and resolve gastrointestinal problems; and, their symptoms begin early, and last longer after mad honey consumption. In terms of other parameters, the geriatric age group has similar characteristics to non-geriatric age group.

Most Lithuanian Pharmacy Students Have Used Apitherapy Products

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Usage of Apitherapy for Disease Prevention and Treatment among Undergraduate Pharmacy Students in Lithuania

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:172502

Traditional medicine therapies are historically used worldwide for disease prevention and treatment purposes. Apitherapy is part of the traditional medicine based on bee product use. Complementary medicine practices which incorporate use of some traditional herbal, mineral, or animal kind substances very often are discussed with pharmacy professionals because these products are often sold in pharmacies as dietary supplements.

This study is aimed at determining the attitude, knowledge, and practices of apitherapy among undergraduated pharmacy students (Master of Pharmacy) who already have a pharmacy technician diploma and from 1 to 20 years of practice working in a community pharmacy as pharmacy assistants. A method of questionnaire was chosen. The questions about attitudes, experience, knowledge, and practices for disease prevention and treatment of different bee products, their safety, and informational sources were included.

Respondents shared opinion that use of bee product is part of the traditional medicine. Most of them had experience on honey product use for treatment and disease prevention for themselves and their family members (62%) although the need of more evidence based information was expressed. The most known bee products were honey, propolis, and royal jelly. They are widely used for enhancing the immune system and prevention of respiratory tract infection.

Darker Polish Honeys - Cornflower, Thyme and Buckwheat - Show Highest Antibacterial Activity

Activity of Polish unifloral honeys against pathogenic bacteria and its correlation with colour, phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and other parameters

Lett Appl Microbiol. 2015 Dec 23

The use of honey as an antimicrobial agent gains importance due to often ineffectiveness of conventional treatment. However, activity of honey depends mainly on its botanical and geographical origin. To date, antimicrobial potential of Polish honeys has not yet been entirely investigated. In this study, 37 unifloral samples of 14 honey types (including rare varieties) from Poland were analysed and compared with manuka honey.

The most active were cornflower, thyme and buckwheat honeys. Their MICs ranged from 3.12% to 25.00%, (depending on tested microorganism) and often were lower than for manuka honey. Additionally, colour, antioxidant activity, total phenols, pH and conductivity were assessed and significant correlations (p < 0.05) of MICs with several parameters were found. The most active were darker honeys, with strong yellow colour component, rich in phenolics, with high conductivity and water content. The honey antibacterial properties depended mainly on peroxide mechanism and were vulnerable to excessive heating, but quite stable during storage in cold. A number of honey samples showed potential as effective antimicrobial agents. The observed correlations of MICs and physical-chemical parameters help to understand better the factors impacting the antibacterial activity.

Brazilian Propolis Examined Based on Season of Collection

Discrimination of Brazilian propolis according to the seasoning using chemometrics and machine learning based on UV-Vis scanning data

J Integr Bioinform. 2015 Oct 21;12(4):279

Propolis is a chemically complex biomass produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from plant resins added of salivary enzymes, beeswax, and pollen. The biological activities described for propolis were also identified for donor plant's resin, but a big challenge for the standardization of the chemical composition and biological effects of propolis remains on a better understanding of the influence of seasonality on the chemical constituents of that raw material.

Since propolis quality depends, among other variables, on the local flora which is strongly influenced by (a)biotic factors over the seasons, to unravel the harvest season effect on the propolis' chemical profile is an issue of recognized importance.

For that, fast, cheap, and robust analytical techniques seem to be the best choice for large scale quality control processes in the most demanding markets, e.g., human health applications. For that, UV-Visible (UV-Vis) scanning spectrophotometry of hydroalcoholic extracts (HE) of seventy-three propolis samples, collected over the seasons in 2014 (summer, spring, autumn, and winter) and 2015 (summer and autumn) in Southern Brazil was adopted. Further machine learning and chemometrics techniques were applied to the UV-Vis dataset aiming to gain insights as to the seasonality effect on the claimed chemical heterogeneity of propolis samples determined by changes in the flora of the geographic region under study.

Descriptive and classification models were built following a chemometric approach, i.e. principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) supported by scripts written in the R language. The UV-Vis profiles associated with chemometric analysis allowed identifying a typical pattern in propolis samples collected in the summer. Importantly, the discrimination based on PCA could be improved by using the dataset of the fingerprint region of phenolic compounds (λ = 280-400ηm), suggesting that besides the biological activities of those secondary metabolites, they also play a relevant role for the discrimination and classification of that complex matrix through bioinformatics tools.

Finally, a series of machine learning approaches, e.g., partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN), and Decision Trees showed to be complementary to PCA and HCA, allowing to obtain relevant information as to the sample discrimination.

Iranian Propolis Extract May Help Treat Diabetes

The effects of ethanol extract of propolis on histopathological changes and antioxidant defense of kidney in rat model for type 1 diabetes mellitus

Journal of Diabetes Investigation

Accepted Article (Accepted, unedited articles published online and citable.

Aims/Introduction

Oxidative stress has a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Propolis and its constituents have a wide range of medicinal properties against oxidative stress. In this study we evaluated antioxidant effects of ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) on kidney in diabetes mellitus rats.

Materials and Methods

Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following five groups: control, diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus with vehicle-treated, diabetes mellitus with propolis-treated (100 mg/kg), and diabetes mellitus with propolis-treated (200 mg/kg). Diabetes mellitus in rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). Diabetic groups were treated with vehicle or ethanolic extracts of Iranian propolis for 6 weeks. Serum concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured.

Results

The results showed that Iranian propolis significantly inhibit body weight loss in diabetes mellitus rats. The propolis extracts significantly reduced serum glucose levels and kidney weight in diabetes mellitus rats (p < 0.001). Moreover, significantly reduced the MDA content, increased the activity of SOD and GPx (p < 0.001) along with the total antioxidant activity in the kidney tissue of diabetes mellitus rats. In the kidney of the diabetes mellitus and vehicle group, the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickness and glomerular area (GA) were significantly increased. Treatment of diabetes mellitus rats with the propolis extract significantly reduced the GBM thickness and glomerular area.

Conclusions

The present study results showed that the Iranian propolis extract could enhance the antioxidant levels and histopathological in the kidney of rat. Final Results showed that the most of favorable effects of the propolis is mediated by a reduction of blood glucose levels in diabetic animals.

Nigerian Red Propolis May Help Treat Sleeping Sickness

Chemical characterisation of Nigerian red propolis and its biological activity against Trypanosoma Brucei

Vol. 27 Issue 1, Phytochemical Analysis

Introduction

A previous study showed the unique character of Nigerian red propolis from Rivers State, Nigeria (RSN), with regards to chemical composition and activity against Trypanosoma brucei in comparison with other African propolis.

Objective

To carry out fractionation and biological testing of Nigerian propolis in order to isolate compounds with anti-trypanosomal activity. To compare the composition of the RSN propolis with the composition of Brazilian red propolis.

Methodology

Profiling was carried out using HPLC-UV-ELSD and HPLC-Orbitrap-FTMS on extracts of two samples collected from RSN with data extraction using MZmine software. Isolation was carried out by normal phase and reversed phase MPLC. Elucidation of the compounds with a purity > 95% was performed by 1D/2D NMR HRMS and HRLC-MSn.

Results

Ten phenolic compounds were isolated or in the case of liquiritigenin partially purified. Data for nine of these correlated with literature reports of known compounds i.e. one isoflavanone, calycosin (1); two flavanones, liquiritigenin (2) and pinocembrin (5); an isoflavan, vestitol (3); a pterocarpan, medicarpin (4); two prenylflavanones, 8-prenylnaringenin (7) and 6-prenylnaringenin (8); and two geranyl flavonoids, propolin D (9) and macarangin (10). The tenth was elucidated as a previously undescribed dihydrobenzofuran (6). The isolated compounds were tested against Trypanosoma brucei and displayed moderate to high activity. Some of the compounds tested had similar activity against wild type T. brucei and two strains displaying pentamidine resistance.

Conclusion

Nigerian propolis from RSN has some similarities with Brazilian red propolis. The propolis displayed anti-trypanosomal activity at a potentially useful level.

Propolis Showed Better Antimicrobial Properties Than Other Medications

Comparative Evaluation of Propolis, Metronidazole with Chlorhexidine, Calcium Hydroxide and Curcuma Longa Extract as Intracanal Medicament Against E.faecalis- An Invitro Study

J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 Nov;9(11):ZC19-211

INTRODUCTION:

The increase of potential side effects and safety concerns of conventional medicaments have led to the recent popularity of herbal alternative medications. The herbal products are known for its high antimicrobial activity, biocompatibility, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

AIM:

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the effectiveness of Propolis, Metronidazole with Chlorhexidine gel, Curcuma Longa and Calcium Hydroxide for elimination of E.faecalis bacteria in extracted teeth samples.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Ninety extracted single rooted intact teeth were taken for the study. Decoronation, removal of apices and chemomechanical preparation was done for all samples. These sterilized samples were then contaminated with pure culture of E.faecalis under laminar flow. The samples were incubated for a period of 21 days. The infected samples were assigned to 5 groups: Group I- Propolis; Group II- Metronidazole with Chlorhexidine gel; Group III- Calcium hydroxide; Group IV- Curcuma Longa; and control group- Saline. Efficacy of newer intracanal medicaments against E.faecalis were carried out in the samples at the end of 1, 2 & 5 days for each group with the help of colorimeter. Student paired t-test, ANOVA and multiple tukey test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS:

The value of optical density was statistically significant in all groups when compared to that of control group. Group I (Propolis) produced better antimicrobial efficacy followed by Chlorhexidine Metronidazole combination, Curcuma Longa and Calcium hydroxide.

CONCLUSION:

Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that Propolis showed better antimicrobial properties against E.faecalis than other medicaments.

Review of the Antiviral Effect of Propolis Component

Antiviral properties of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and its potential application

J Intercult Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Oct-Dec;4(4):344-7

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is found in a variety of plants and well-known the active ingredient of the honeybee propolis. CAPE showed anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antimitogenic, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties in several studies.

The beneficial effects of CAPE on different health issues attracted scientists to make more studies on CAPE. Specifically, the anti-viral effects of CAPE and its molecular mechanisms may reveal the important properties of virus-induced diseases. CAPE and its targets may have important roles to design new therapeutics and understand the molecular mechanisms of virus-related diseases.

In this mini-review, we summarize the antiviral effects of CAPE under the light of medical and chemical literature.

Sunflower Bee Pollen Shows Anti-Microbial, Antioxidant Activity

Biologically active antimicrobial and antioxidant substances in the Helianthus annuus L. bee pollen

J Environ Sci Health B. 2015 Dec 16:1-6

The objective of this study was to measure the content of flavonoids, polyphenols, and carotenoids in the c bee pollen. It was also to evaluate the ability of the dried, frozen, and freeze-dried extracts of sunflower (H. annuus) pollen, its scavenged free radicals and reducing action. Another aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial in vitro action of the H. annuus pollen extracts against the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi.

All pollen extracts showed medium antiradical activity and reductive ability. The most effective was the freeze-dried extract in both evaluation systems. The evaluation of the protective effects of DNA using a biosensor showed an opposite trending-frozen ˃ dried ˃ freeze-dried pollen. For the evaluation of antiradical activity, the DPPH method was used, and reductive ability was assessed by means of phosphomolybdic complex formation. The comparison of the polyphenols content shows higher values in freeze-dried bee pollen than in the dried and frozen pollen.

The highest content of flavonoids was found in the frozen samples and the most carotenoids were present in the dried samples. In our study, the best antibacterial effects of the dried sunflower bee pollen extracts were found against Paenibacillus larvae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus raffinosus. The best inhibitory properties of the frozen sunflower bee pollen extracts were found against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Paenibacillus larvae.

Very good inhibitory effects of freeze-dried sunflower bee pollen were found against Paenibacillus larvae, Brochotrix thermosphacta, and Enterococcus raffinosus. The best antifungal activity of the sunflower bee pollen was found in the frozen bee pollen extracts against Aspergillus ochraceus and freeze-dried bee pollen extracts against Aspergillus niger.

Honey Can Be Used as Alternative for Treatment of Various Infections

Assessment of Microbial Load of Un-pasteurized Fruit Juices and in vitro Antibacterial Potential of Honey Against Bacterial Isolates

Open Microbiol J. 2015 Jul 31;9:26-32

The development of resistance in bacteria against commonly used antibiotics/drugs is of considerable medical significance. Aim of this study was to determine the microbial load of un-pasteurized packed fruit juices sold in Lahore city and to determine antibacterial activity of five different honey samples against isolated bacteria.

Unpasteurized fruit juice samples (n=60) were collected from street vendors. All the samples were subjected to Total viable count (TVC), Staphylococcal count (SC) and Coliform count (CC). One hundred and ten strains of bacteria were isolated from various fruit juices and identified on the basis of cultural characters, morphology and biochemical characters. Mean TVCs, SCs and CCs of juices (6.80±1.91, 5.45±1.06 and 3.25±1.25 log10 CFU/ml respectively) were non-significant with standard permissible limits...

All five different types of honey samples used in this study showed antibacterial activity against B. alvei, B. polymyxa, B. subtilis and S. aureus and no activity against P. aeruginosa, K. pneumonia, Enterobecter and E. coli. It is concluded that microbial load in unpasteurized fruit juices is significantly higher than standard permissible limits which insinuates its possible role in spoilage and food borne illnesses. Periodic monitoring of packed fruit juices should be carried out to make them safe for consumption. Honey can be used as an alternative for treatment of various infections, especially those caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Ten Phenolic Compounds Isolated in Nigerian Red Propolis

Chemical characterisation of Nigerian red propolis and its biological activity against Trypanosoma Brucei

Phytochem Anal. 2015 Dec 11

INTRODUCTION:

A previous study showed the unique character of Nigerian red propolis from Rivers State, Nigeria (RSN), with regards to chemical composition and activity against Trypanosoma brucei in comparison with other African propolis.

OBJECTIVE:

To carry out fractionation and biological testing of Nigerian propolis in order to isolate compounds with anti-trypanosomal activity. To compare the composition of the RSN propolis with the composition of Brazilian red propolis.

METHODOLOGY:

Profiling was carried out using HPLC-UV-ELSD and HPLC-Orbitrap-FTMS on extracts of two samples collected from RSN with data extraction using MZmine software. Isolation was carried out by normal phase and reversed phase MPLC. Elucidation of the compounds with a purity > 95% was performed by 1D/2D NMR HRMS and HRLC-MSn .

RESULTS:

Ten phenolic compounds were isolated or in the case of liquiritigenin partially purified. Data for nine of these correlated with literature reports of known compounds i.e. one isoflavanone, calycosin (1); two flavanones, liquiritigenin (2) and pinocembrin (5); an isoflavan, vestitol (3); a pterocarpan, medicarpin (4); two prenylflavanones, 8-prenylnaringenin (7) and 6-prenylnaringenin (8); and two geranyl flavonoids, propolin D (9) and macarangin (10). The tenth was elucidated as a previously undescribed dihydrobenzofuran (6). The isolated compounds were tested against Trypanosoma brucei and displayed moderate to high activity. Some of the compounds tested had similar activity against wild type T. brucei and two strains displaying pentamidine resistance.

Honey-Herbal Combo Used to Treat Dementia, Stroke

Anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic effect of a traditional herbal medicine Kyung-Ok-Ko

J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Dec 4. pii: S0378-8741(15)30240-3

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

Kyung-Ok-Ko (KOK), a traditional herbal prescription, contains six main ingredients; Rehmannia glutinosa var. purpurae, Lycium chinense, Aquillaria agallocha, Poria cocos, Panax ginseng, and honey. KOK has been widely taken as a traditional oriental medicine for improving blood circulation or age-related symptoms, such as dementia and stroke. However, the effect of KOK on platelet activity has not been clarified.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

To evaluate the effect of KOK on platelet function, we evaluated its effect on functional markers of platelet activation such as aggregation and shape change. As a mechanism study for the effect of KOK, we examined its effect on granule secretion, intracellular Ca2+ increase, and PLCγ and Akt activation. To investigate the effect of orally administered KOK (0.5, 1, 2g/kg), we examined its ex vivo effect on platelet aggregation in rat, and its in vivo anti-thrombotic effect in mice thromboembolism model. Furthermore, the effect of KOK on bleeding time was examined to estimate its potential side effect.

RESULTS:

KOK (0.3, 1, 3, 10mg/ml) inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation and shape change in rat platelets in a concentration-dependent manner. The mechanism for the anti-platelet effect of KOK seems to involve the inhibition of ATP release, intracellular Ca2+ elevation, and the phosphorylation of PLCγ and Akt. In rat ex vivo study, KOK (2g/kg, p.o. for 1 day, and 0.5, 1, 2g/kg, p.o. for 7 days) also had significant inhibitory effects on collagen-induced platelet aggregation. In addition, KOK showed a significant protective effect against thrombosis attack in mice. The prolongation of bleeding time by KOK was much less than that by ASA, suggesting a beneficial potential of KOK than ASA in view of side effect.

CONCLUSIONS:

These findings suggest that KOK elicits remarkable anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic effects with less side effect of bleeding, and therefore, it may have a therapeutic potential for the prevention of platelet-associated cardiovascular diseases.

10 Years of Manuka Honey Science

Monday, 14 December 2015

Press Release: Manuka Health NZ

Manuka Health Plans 2016 Event To Celebrate 10 Years of Manuka Honey Science

World-renowned scientist, Professor Henle will be flown in from Germany to share insights into his ground-breaking manuka honey research

Manuka Health is preparing to celebrate 10 years of manuka honey science next year. 2016 marks a decade since the compound methylglyoxal was discovered in manuka honey, a discovery that revolutionised the manuka honey industry.

To mark the occasion, Manuka Health will be hosting one of the world’s leading scientists and manuka honey experts, Professor Thomas Henle at a VIP event in Auckland. It was Professor Henle’s team at the Technical University of Dresden, Germany, which first discovered methylglyoxal in manuka honey and realised that it could be used to differentiate it from other types of honey.

“We are looking forward to celebrating this important milestone. The discovery of methylglyoxal in manuka honey was a game-changer for the New Zealand manuka honey industry. The research meant honey producers could identify and grade their manuka honey based on a credible, scientifically based system,” explains Manuka Health Chief Executive Kerry Paul.

“We are grateful and excited that Professor Henle has agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to join us, and to share some of his impressive knowledge on the science behind manuka honey. He is a master in his field and I’m sure everyone that attends will learn things about manuka honey that they didn’t know beforehand.”...

Impact of supplementary royal jelly on in vitro maturation of sheep oocytes: genes involved in apoptosis and embryonic development

Syst Biol Reprod Med. 2015 Dec 4:1-8

Optimizing culture conditions lead to the improvement of oocyte developmental competence and additives with anti-oxidative activity in culture media improved embryonic development. Royal jelly (RJ) is a product from the cephalic glands of nurse bees that has considerable health effects.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentrations of RJ on the maturation, cleavage, and blastocyst rates and gene expression in the oocyte and cumulus cells during in vitro maturation (IVM) of sheep oocyte. IVM of oocyte was performed in the presence of control (RJ0), 2.5 (RJ2.5), 5 (RJ5), 10 (RJ10), 20 (RJ20), and 40 (RJ40) mg/mL of RJ. Following the maturation period, parthenogenetic activation was carried out in two treatment groups (RJ0 and RJ10) and embryonic development was examined three and eight days thereafter. Moreover, the relative expression of BCL2 and BAX in oocyte as well as BCL2, BAX, HAS2, PTGS2, and STAR in cumulus cells were assessed.

The results indicated that the addition of 10 mg/mL of RJ (90 ± 4.51%) to the maturation medium linearly increased the oocyte maturation rate compared to the control group (57 ± 2.42%), then it remained constant to the RJ40 (93 ± 3.10%) group. The higher RJ concentrations were associated with increased (p < 0.01) cleavage (53.3 ± 1.55% to 82.3 ± 2.82%) and blastocyst rate (15.5 ± 1.16% to 33.8 ± 3.09%) from the RJ0 to the RJ10 group. The relative mRNA expression of BCL2 and BAX in the oocyte was higher at RJ10. In cumulus cells, the expression of BCL2 was not affected, but that of BAX decreased, and expression of HAS2, PTGS2, and STAR were increased following the addition of RJ to the maturation media.

In conclusion, the addition of 10 mg/mL of RJ to maturation medium improved blastocyst formation and decreased the apoptotic incidence in sheep cumulus cells and the oocyte during the in vitro development.

Anti-Viral Properties of Propolis Summarized

Antiviral properties of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and its potential application

J Intercult Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Oct-Dec;4(4):344-347. Epub 2015 Nov 5.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is found in a variety of plants and well-known the active ingredient of the honeybee propolis. CAPE showed anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antimitogenic, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties in several studies.

The beneficial effects of CAPE on different health issues attracted scientists to make more studies on CAPE. Specifically, the anti-viral effects of CAPE and its molecular mechanisms may reveal the important properties of virus-induced diseases. CAPE and its targets may have important roles to design new therapeutics and understand the molecular mechanisms of virus-related diseases.

In this mini-review, we summarize the antiviral effects of CAPE under the light of medical and chemical literature.

Russian Propolis Effective Against Two Antibiotic Resistant Biofilm Forming Bacteria

The Mechanism of Action of Russian Propolis Ethanol Extracts Against Two Antibiotic Resistant Biofilm Forming Bacteria

Lett Appl Microbiol. 2015 Dec 8

The interaction between antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus and antibiotic sensitive Escherichia coli biofilm forming bacteria and Russian propolis ethanol extracts was evaluated.

In this study, bacterial cell death occurred when the cell membranes of bacteria interacted specifically with the antibacterial compounds found in propolis. In order to understand the Russian propolis ethanol extract mechanism of action, microscopy and bacterial lysis studies were conducted.

Results uncovered from these experiments imply that the mechanism of action of Russian propolis ethanol extracts is structural rather than functional. The results obtained throughout this study demonstrate cell membrane damage, resulting in cell lysis and eventually bacterial death.

Propolis Component Shows Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Caner, Anti-Viral Activity

Antiviral properties of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and its potential application

J Intercult Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Oct-Dec;4(4):344-347. Epub 2015 Nov 5

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is found in a variety of plants and well-known the active ingredient of the honeybee propolis.

CAPE showed anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antimitogenic, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties in several studies. The beneficial effects of CAPE on different health issues attracted scientists to make more studies on CAPE. Specifically, the anti-viral effects of CAPE and its molecular mechanisms may reveal the important properties of virus-induced diseases. CAPE and its targets may have important roles to design new therapeutics and understand the molecular mechanisms of virus-related diseases.

In this mini-review, we summarize the antiviral effects of CAPE under the light of medical and chemical literature.

Bee Venom May Help Treat Lyme Disease

VenomKB, a Therapeutic Natural Poison Database, Makes Folklore Into Science

Inverse, 12/8/2015

The benefits of venom are still vastly untapped. The first database of therapeutic venom wants to help with that.

Sometimes what should hurt you, helps you, and what sounds like folklore turns out to be really science. The saliva of the Gila Monster, an orange speckled lizard native to the American Southwest, is poisonous — but it also can be used to effectively treat Type 2 diabetes. Scorpions, a peer in deadliness, aren’t typically thought of as a friend to man, but their venom can be used to mark tumors during surgery. While you may not want to encounter these venomous creatures in the wild, you should want researchers to encounter the venom compounds they produce in the lab...

Bee venom has a protein called melittin which has been shown to have strong antibacterial effects, particularly against the pathogen that causes Lyme disease. But when someone is being stung by a bee, they are being injected with all the components of bee venom — not just with the component that could help.

Propolis Extract Prevents, Heals Radiotherapy Induced Mucositis

Preventing and Therapeutic Effect of Propolis in Radiotherapy Induced Mucositis of Head and Neck Cancers: A Triple-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Iran J Cancer Prev. 2015 Oct;8(5):e4019. Epub 2015 Oct 27

BACKGROUND:

Mucositis is one of the acute complications of radiotherapy which can ulcerate oral mucosa and cause severe pain and discomfort which can affect oral normal function. Propolis is a natural source of flavenoid which has antiulcer, antibacterial, antifungal, healing and anti-inflammatory effects. Using such an affordable compound without any bad smell or taste that has reasonable price can help the radiotherapy undergoing patients.

OBJECTIVES:

Our goal is assessing the preventing and therapeutic effect of propolis in radiotherapy induced mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

In a randomized triple blind clinical trial, 20 patient were selected randomly to swish and swallow 15 ml of water based extract of propolis mouth wash 3 times a day in the case group (n = 10) and 15 ml placebo mouth wash in control group (n = 10). we use NIC-CTC scale for determining mucositis grading.

RESULTS:

We use T-test, Man-Whitney, Chi-square, and Friedman as analyzing tests. Case group had significantly (P < 0.05) lower grade of mucositis in all of the follow-ups, but xerostomia is not significantly different in two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

This is a pilot study which shows water based extract of propolis efficiently prevents and heals radiotherapy induced mucositis.

Royal Jelly Antioxidant Activity is Due to Total Phenolic Content, Proteins and Fatty Acids

A Member of Complementary Medicinal Food: Anatolian Royal Jellies, Their Chemical Compositions, and Antioxidant Properties

J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2015 Nov 30

This study investigated various chemical and antioxidant properties of Anatolian royal jelly samples. Moisture, pH, total protein, 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) and sugars were analyzed from 18 samples. Total phenolic contents, ferric reducing antioxidant capacity and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity were measured as antioxidant determinants. 10-HDA contents and total protein content of fresh weight ranged between 1.0% and 3.9%, and 11.4% and 15.8%, respectively.

The main sugars detected were glucose and fructose. Maltose, trehalose, and melibiose were detected at less than 1.0% in all samples. Lactose, a milk sugar, was detected in only 3 samples, at values between 0.8% and 1.4%. Total henolic content ranged from 91.0 to 301.0 mg gallic acid equivalents/kg fresh weight. Antioxidant activity is due to both to the total phenolic content, proteins and fatty acids of royal jelly. Anatolian royal jelly samples were not different from other royal jelly samples from across the world.

Propolis Boosts Immune Response to Vaccine

The Adjuvant Activity of Epimedium Polysaccharide-Propolis Flavone Liposome on Enhancing Immune Responses to Inactivated Porcine Circovirus Vaccine in Mice

Objectives. The adjuvant activity of Epimedium polysaccharide-propolis flavone liposome (EPL) was investigated in vitro and in vivo.
Methods. In vitro, the effects of EPL at different concentrations on splenic lymphocytes proliferation and mRNA expression of IFN-γ and IL-6 were determined. In vivo, the adjuvant activities of EPL, EP, and mineral oil were compared in BALB/c mice through vaccination with inactivated porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccine.
Results. In vitro, EPL promoted lymphocytes proliferation and increased the mRNA expression of IFN-γ and IL-6, and the effect was significantly better than EP at all concentrations. In vivo, EPL significantly promoted the lymphocytes proliferation and the secretion of cytokines and improved the killing activity of NK cells, PCV2-specific antibody titers, and the proportion of T-cell subgroups. The effects of EPL were significantly better than EP and oil adjuvant at most time points.
Conclusion. EPL could significantly improve both PCV2-specific cellular and humoral immune responses, and its medium dose had the best efficacy. Therefore, EPL would be exploited in an effective immune adjuvant for inactivated PCV2 vaccine.

Propolis Prevents and Heals Radiotherapy-Induced Mucositis

Preventing and Therapeutic Effect of Propolis in Radiotherapy Induced Mucositis of Head and Neck Cancers: A Triple-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Iran J Cancer Prev. 2015 Oct;8(5):e4019. Epub 2015 Oct 27.

BACKGROUND:

Mucositis is one of the acute complications of radiotherapy which can ulcerate oral mucosa and cause severe pain and discomfort which can affect oral normal function. Propolis is a natural source of flavenoid which has antiulcer, antibacterial, antifungal, healing and anti-inflammatory effects. Using such an affordable compound without any bad smell or taste that has reasonable price can help the radiotherapy undergoing patients.
OBJECTIVES:

Our goal is assessing the preventing and therapeutic effect of propolis in radiotherapy induced mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:

In a randomized triple blind clinical trial, 20 patient were selected randomly to swish and swallow 15 ml of water based extract of propolis mouth wash 3 times a day in the case group (n = 10) and 15 ml placebo mouth wash in control group (n = 10). we use NIC-CTC scale for determining mucositis grading.
RESULTS:

We use T-test, Man-Whitney, Chi-square, and Friedman as analyzing tests. Case group had significantly (P < 0.05) lower grade of mucositis in all of the follow-ups, but xerostomia is not significantly different in two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

This is a pilot study which shows water based extract of propolis efficiently prevents and heals radiotherapy induced mucositis.

Chilean Propolis Effective Against Helicobacter pylori

[In vitro antibacterial activity of Chilean propolis against Helicobacter pylori].
 [Article in Spanish]
Rev Chilena Infectol. 2015 Oct;32(5):530-5
INTRODUCTION:
Propolis is a natural product derived from beekeeping. It has anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, immune-stimulant and antibacterial properties on grampositive and gramnegative bacteria. However, little is known regarding its activity on Helicobacter pylori. This bacteria colonizes about half of the world's population and is associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer.
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory activity of 22 propolis extracts from nine of the 11 beekeeping Chilean regions on 10 strains of H. pylori isolated from gastric mucosa.
METHODS:
The antibacterial activity of the extracts was determined using the well diffusion method and diffusion disks.
RESULTS:
100% of the extracts were active on the tested strains, showing inhibition halos equal to or greater than 15 mm by both methods.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our results show an effective anti H. pylori activity of propolis. However, additional microbiological studies are needed before a potential clinical utility of these natural products is warranted.

Egyptian Propolis Extract May Help Treat Prostate Cancer

Antitumoral and Antioxidant Potential of Egyptian Propolis Against the PC3 Prostate Cancer Cell Line

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2015;16(17):7641-51

It has been shown previously that nutritional supplements rich in polyphenolic compounds play a significant role in prostate cancer chemoprevention. Propolis is a natural, resinous hive product that has several pharmacological activities including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumoral activities.

The aim of this study was to compare the cytotoxic, antioxidant and antitumoral activities of an ethanolic extract of Egyptian propolis (EEP) in vitro with an established chemotherapeutic drug such as doxorubicin (DOX), and the effects of their combination against the PC3 human prostate cancer cell line. Cellular viability and IC50 levels with EEP, DOX and their (v/v) combination were detected by sulphorhodamine-B (SRB) assay after incubation of PC3 cells for 72h with different doses (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100μg/ml). Two selected doses of IC50 and IC25 were applied to cells for 24h for antitumor evaluation assay of treatment compounds. EEP and its (v/v) combination with DOX showed significant antitumor potential besides high antioxidant properties of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT), nitric oxide (NO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels when compared with the control untreated cells. DNA fragmentation assay and semi quantitative RT-PCR analyses for p53 and Bax genes showed that EEP activated cellular apoptosis and increased the mRNA expression levels more than other treatment.

In conclusion, EEP alone or in combination with DOX at both doses used here showed greater antioxidant, antiproliferative and apoptotic effects against the PC3 cell lines as compared to treatment with DOX alone. Therefore, EEP could be considered as a promising candidate for prostate cancer chemotherapy.

Propolis May Serve as Alternative Food Preservative

Antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of propolis in “Alheira”, a fermented meat sausage

Rapid Communication | Food Science & Technology

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) in the control of Listeria innocua PHLS 2030c (as a surrogate for Listeria monocytogenes) during storage of Alheira at 4 °C.

Total phenolic content was evaluated to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration of EEP against the growth of L. innocua by the agar dilution method. Alheiras were manufactured by incorporating EEP (0.28 mg/mL) and pathogenic bacteria and storage during 62 days at 4 °C. Growth of L. innocua was determined during storage. The behaviour of L. innocua in the food matrix was significantly affected (P < 0.01) by the addition of EEP. The ethanolic extract of propolis reduced the Listeria population to below the detection limit of the technique after 8 days of storage.

These results suggest that incorporation of EEP in a food susceptible to Listeria contamination may be an interesting alternative to existing chemical preservatives and can extend the shelf life of these products.

Propolis in Laying Hens' Diet Boosts Egg Production

Impact of supplementing diets with propolis on productive performance, egg quality traits and some haematological variables of laying hens

J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2015 Nov 28

One hundred and twenty eight, 28-weeks-old Lohmann LSL hybrid layers were used in this experiment, which lasted 12 weeks to investigate the effect of propolis supplementation on the productive performance, egg quality traits and haematological variables of laying hens. All hens were randomly classified into four equal experimental groups, eight replicates (4 birds/each). Hens in group 1 were fed on a commercial diet and considered as control group, while those in groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed on the same commercial diet and supplemented with 250, 500 and 1000 mg propolis/kg diet.

The obtained results revealed that daily feed consumption/hen increased insignificantly with increasing propolis level than that of the control group. Regarding the means of egg mass and egg production rate, it was observed that the laying hens fed diets containing 250 and 1000 mg propolis/kg significantly (p < 0.05) produced more and heaver egg in comparison with control group. External egg quality traits have not affected with increasing the level of propolis, while eggshell weight was significantly (p < 0.05) increased. The internal egg quality traits except albumen and yolk percentages increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing propolis level for treated hens as compared to those in the control.

Concerning the haematological parameters, the results showed that the levels of total protein and globulin increased significantly with increasing propolis level, while cholesterol and liver enzymes were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Heterophils count of hens in the treated groups significantly decreased, whereas the lymphocyte count significantly increased, resulting in a decreased H/L ratio than that of the control group.

Thus, it could be concluded that the supplementation of 250 mg propolis/kg diet is highly recommended to improving egg production, blood constituent and haematological parameters of the commercial laying hens.

Propolis Component May Help Treat Breast Cancer

Modulation of Tamoxifen Cytotoxicity by Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
Volume 2016 (2016)

Although Tamoxifen (TAM) is one of the most widely used drugs in managing breast cancer, many women still relapse after long-term therapy. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a polyphenolic compound present in many medicinal plants and in propolis.

The present study examined the effect of CAPE on TAM cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells. MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentrations of TAM and/or CAPE for 48 h. This novel combination exerted synergistic cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 cells via induction of apoptotic machinery with activation of caspases and DNA fragmentation, along with downregulation of Bcl-2 and Beclin 1 expression levels. However, the mammalian microtubule-associated protein light chain LC 3-II level was unchanged. Vascular endothelial growth factor level was also decreased, whereas levels of glutathione and nitric oxide were increased.

In conclusion, CAPE augmented TAM cytotoxicity via multiple mechanisms, providing a novel therapeutic approach for breast cancer treatment that can overcome resistance and lower toxicity. This effect provides a rationale for further investigation of this combination.