Bioactive Potential of Cryogel Scaffolds with Manuka Honey

A preliminary in vitro evaluation of the bioactive potential of cryogel scaffolds incorporated with Manuka honey for the treatment of chronic bone infections

J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 2017 Sep 27. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.34002. [Epub ahead of print]

Previous studies have identified honey as an agent in bacterial inhibition and a mediator in lowering the pH at the wound site. Manuka honey (MH), indigenous to New Zealand, contains a Unique Manuka Factor that provides an additional antibacterial agent.

While there are many potential benefits to incorporating MH into wounds, there is currently no ideal way to deliver the material to the site of injury. Cryogels are a type of scaffold that possess high porosity, mechanical stability, and a sponge-like consistency.

This study uniquely incorporates varying amounts of MH into cryogel scaffolds, utilizing its properties in a sustained release fashion to assist in the overall healing process, while using the cryogel structure as a tissue template. All cryogels were evaluated to determine the effects of MH on porosity, swelling potential, mechanical durability, and cell compatibility. The release of MH was also quantified to evaluate bacterial clearance potential, and the scaffolds were mineralized to replicate native bone.

It was determined that a 5% MH silk fibroin cryogel has the potential to inhibit bacterial growth while still maintaining adequate porosity, mechanical properties, and cell infiltration. Such a scaffold would have use in a number of applications, including bone regeneration.

Microwave Heating of Honey Decreases Anti-Bacterial Activity

Microwave processing of honey negatively affects honey antibacterial activity by inactivation of bee-derived glucose oxidase and defensin-1

Food Chem. 2018 Feb 1;240:1131-1136

Microwave (MW) thermal heating has been proposed as an efficient method for honey liquefaction, while maintaining honey quality criteria. However, little is known about the effects of MW thermal heating on honey antibacterial activity.

In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of MW heating on the antibacterial activity of raw rapeseed honeys against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, with a particular focus on two major bee-derived antibacterial components, defensin-1 and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Our results demonstrated that MW thermal heating completely abolished honey antibacterial activity whereas conventional thermal treatment at 45 and 55°C did not affect the antibacterial activity of honey samples.

A significant decrease in both glucose oxidase activity and H2O2 production as well as defensin-1 amount was observed in MW-treated samples. Given that defensin-1 and H2O2 are regular antibacterial components of all honeys, MW heating may have similar negative effects on every type of crystallized/liquid honey.

Royal Jelly May Help Treat Breast Cancer

The effect of royal jelly on the growth of breast cancer in mice

Oncology Letters

Due to various pharmacological properties, including antioxidative, anti inflammatory and antibiotic properties, royal jelly (RJ) has been widely consumed in daily diets in numerous countries.

In the present study, the effect of RJ on 4T1 bearing mice was investigated. The study was performed by feeding 4T1 bearing mice with RJ using either the prophylactic therapeutic (PTRJ) or therapeutic (TRJ) method.

The experimental results for the PTRJ group demonstrated that the weight of tumor was significantly reduced (RJ 0.5 and 1.5 g/kg); and in the serum, the levels of interleukin (IL) 2 (RJ 0.5 and 1.5 g/kg), interferon (IFN) α, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T AOC) were significantly elevated, but the concentrations of IL 4 (RJ 0.5 and 1.5 g/kg) and IL 10 (RJ 1.0 g/kg) were significantly decreased. In addition, the activities of T AOC and glutathione reductase (GR) were significantly improved in the liver, whereas in the kidney, the activities of T AOC and GR were significantly increased only under the dose of 0.5 g/kg. For the TRJ group, the antitumor effect of RJ was not significant; the change in IL 2, IFN α, SOD and T AOC levels in the serum, and the change in T AOC and GR in liver were similar to those observed in the PTRJ groups.

RJ treatment was demonstrated to reduce the development of breast tumor in mice, and simultaneously improve the antioxidant capacity of the serum, liver and kidney, particularly using the prophylactic therapeutic method. These results corroborated the efficacy of RJ supplementation in diets. The results of the present study suggest that the antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities of RJ serve an important role on antitumor growth.

Asiatic Bee Honey Prevents Acute Alcohol-Induced Liver Damage

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of A. cerana honey against acute alcohol-induced liver damage in mice

Food Res Int. 2017 Nov;101:35-44

A. cerana honey, gathered from Apis cerana Fabricius (A. cerana), has not been fully studied. Samples of honey originating from six geographical regions (mainly in the Qinling Mountains of China) were investigated to determine their antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects against acute alcohol-induced liver damage.

The results showed that A. cerana honeys from the Qinling Mountains had high total phenolic contents (345.1-502.1mgGAkg-1), ascorbic acid contents (153.8-368.4mgkg-1), and strong antioxidant activities in DPPH radical scavenging activity assays (87.5-136.2IC50mgmL-1), ferric reducing antioxidant powers (191.8-317.4mgTroloxkg-1), and ferrous ion-chelating activities (27.5-35.5mgNa2EDTAkg-1)...

Propolis Forum in China October 18-20, 2017

Health Benefits of Manuka Honey as an Essential Constituent for Tissue Regeneration

Curr Drug Metab. 2017 Sep 11

Honey is known for its therapeutic properties from ancient civilizations but only since last few decades its mechanism has been studied on how it causes epithelial regeneration leading to wound and ulcer healing..

In the present review the health perspectives of honey, its chemical composition with special reference to flavonoids, polyphenol composition and other bioactive trace compounds used in tissue regeneration have been highlighted. Honey can inhibit carcinogenesis by moderating with molecular processes of initiation, advancement and progression stage of cancer cells, therefore it is considered a promising anti-cancer agent. Several, well-intentioned characteristics have drawn the attention of researchers to check copious endowed-biological activities of Manuka honey, including antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-proliferative capacities against cancer cells. Thus, scientists are trying to use Manuka honey in the area of biomedical and tissue engineering to design a template for regeneration. Naturally derived antibacterial agents, like Manuka honey, contain mixture of compounds, which can influence antibacterial potency.

The non-peroxide bacteriostatic properties of Manuka honey have been formerly associated to the presence of methylglyoxal (MGO). The assimilation of MGO as a functional antibacterial additive during designing a tissue template production would explore its properties as a potential agent for manufacturing tissue regeneration template.

The role of glyoxal (GO) and MGO in the bacterial growth inhibition, and in addition to immunomodulatory role, it also enhances wound healing and tissue regeneration. Researchers should step forward to explore the biomedical application, particularly integration into tissue regeneration templates. Therefore, further studies are fully needed to provide detailed information on active components of Manuka honey and their potential therapeutic efficacy in numerous models of human diseases.

Dried Bee Pollen Shows Very Low Microbial Contamination

Microbial characterization of bee pollen from the Vesuvius area collected by using three different traps

PLoS One. 2017 Sep 21;12(9):e0183208

Flower pollen is collected by honeybee foragers, adhered on their rear legs and transported into the hives in the form of pellets. Once in the hives, bee pollen is moisturised with nectar and bee mouth secretions and due to enzymatically modifications it becomes the so-called bee-bread, the protein reservoir of young bees.

Bee pollen can be artificially removed from bee legs and collected by using specific systems, the bee pollen traps. Bee pollen is commercialized for human consumption as fresh product and after freezing or drying. Although bee pollen is nowadays largely consumed in developed countries, as food or food supplement according to local legislation, little is known on its safety related to microbiological hazards.

In this work, we aimed to characterize for the first time the microbiological profile of Italian bee pollen in fresh, frozen and dried form collected along an entire harvesting season. Moreover, monthly microbiological analyses were performed on frozen (storage at -18°C) and dried (storage at room temperature) bee pollen over a 4 months period.

Further aim of this work was the evaluation of the possible impact on production level of three different traps used for pollen collection. Our results on microbial contamination of fresh and frozen bee pollen show that a more comprehensive microbiological risk assessment of bee pollen is required. On the other side, dried pollen showed very low microbial contamination and no pathogen survived after the drying process and during storage.

Buckwheat Honey Has High Antioxidant Activity

The Protective Effect of Whole Honey and Phenolic Extract on Oxidative DNA Damage in Mice Lymphocytes Using Comet Assay

Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2017 Sep 19

In this study, the antioxidant activity and the protective effect against hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage were assessed for five honeys of different botanical origin. Seven phenolic acids were detected in the honey samples. Ferulic acid was the most abundant phenolic acid detected in longan honey, jujube honey and buckwheat honey. Ellagic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and protocatechuic acid were the main phenolic acids detected in vitex honey.

Of all honey samples tested, the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were found in buckwheat honey, whereas the lowest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were found in locust honey. Treatment with hydrogen peroxide induced a 62% increase in tail DNA in mice lymphocytes, and all studied honeys significantly inhibited this effect (P < 0.05).

The buckwheat honey with higher antioxidant capability also exhibited super protective effect than others. Phenolic extracts of honey displayed greater protective effects than whole honey in comet assay. The hydrogen peroxide-generated increase in 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was effectively inhibited by the honeys studied (P < 0.05). Moreover, a dose-effect relationship between honey concentration and its protective effect was clearly observed in this study.

It can be deduced that phenolic acids of honey can penetrate into lymphocytes and protect DNA from oxidative damage by scavenging hydrogen peroxide and/or chelating ferrous ions.

Australia and New Zealand in a champagne-esque manuka honey war

3AW

Australia and New Zealand are locked in a battle over ownership of the word ‘manuka’ as the expensive honey’s popularity booms.

In a champagne-esque war, New Zealand is moving to make manuka honey its own, prompting Australian honey-makers to form a new alliance and fight back...

Apitherapy Folk Remedies for Bronchitis

2. Honey, onion and milk. This tool should be taken as a cough syrup, a teaspoon every hour for 1-2 days. Chop a large onion and pour it into a saucepan, pour a glass of milk and simmer over low heat until until the onions are soft. Then strain the onion in the milk and let it cool slightly and add 1 tsp of honey for 1 tbsp. of the milk decoction.

3. Honey, propolis and butter. Grind 10 g of a dry propolis with the help of a grater, melt 100 g of butter and let it cool down, then mix and add 100 g of honey. Make in half a Cup of boiled warm water add 1 tsp funds, which must be kept in the fridge, stir thoroughly and drink. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day.

The treatment of any disease should be treated comprehensively, using all available methods that can facilitate and improve the health of the person. So hope that will only help traditional medicine, is wrong...

Asiatic Honey Bee (A. cerana) Venom Shows Anti-Fibrinolytic and Anti-Microbial Activity

Anti-fibrinolytic and anti-microbial activities of a serine protease inhibitor from honeybee (Apis cerana) venom

Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol. 2017 Sep 13

Bee venom contains a variety of peptide constituents, including low-molecular-weight protease inhibitors. While the putative low-molecular-weight serine protease inhibitor Api m 6 containing a trypsin inhibitor-like cysteine-rich domain was identified from honeybee (Apis mellifera) venom, no anti-fibrinolytic or anti-microbial roles for this inhibitor have been elucidated.

In this study, we identified an Asiatic honeybee (A. cerana) venom serine protease inhibitor (AcVSPI) that was shown to act as a microbial serine protease inhibitor and plasmin inhibitor. AcVSPI was found to consist of a trypsin inhibitor-like domain that displays ten cysteine residues.

Interestingly, the AcVSPI peptide sequence exhibited high similarity to the putative low-molecular-weight serine protease inhibitor Api m 6, which suggests that AcVSPI is an allergen Api m 6-like peptide. Recombinant AcVSPI was expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells, and it demonstrated inhibitory activity against trypsin, but not chymotrypsin. Additionally, AcVSPI has inhibitory effects against plasmin and microbial serine proteases; however, it does not have any detectable inhibitory effects on thrombin or elastase.

Consistent with these inhibitory effects, AcVSPI inhibited the plasmin-mediated degradation of fibrin to fibrin degradation products. AcVSPI also bound to bacterial and fungal surfaces and exhibited anti-microbial activity against fungi as well as gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

These findings demonstrate the anti-fibrinolytic and anti-microbial roles of AcVSPI as a serine protease inhibitor.

Bee Venom May Help Treat Neuropathic Pain

Antiallodynic Effects of Bee Venom in an Animal Model of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 (CRPS-I)

Toxins 2017, 9(9), 285

Neuropathic pain in a chronic post-ischaemic pain (CPIP) model mimics the symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I). The administration of bee venom (BV) has been utilized in Eastern medicine to treat chronic inflammatory diseases accompanying pain. However, the analgesic effect of BV in a CPIP model remains unknown.

The application of a tight-fitting O-ring around the left ankle for a period of 3 h generated CPIP in C57/Bl6 male adult mice. BV (1 mg/kg ; 1, 2, and 3 times) was administered into the SC layer of the hind paw, and the antiallodynic effects were investigated using the von Frey test and by measuring the expression of neurokinin type 1 (NK-1) receptors in dorsal root ganglia (DRG). The administration of BV dose-dependently reduced the pain withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimuli compared with the pre-administration value and with that of the control group. After the development of the CPIP model, the expression of NK-1 receptors in DRG increased and then decreased following the administration of BV.

SC administration of BV results in the attenuation of allodynia in a mouse model of CPIP. The antiallodynic effect was objectively proven through a reduction in the increased expression of NK-1 receptors in DRG

Health Benefits of Manuka Honey as an Essential Constituent for Tissue Regeneration

Curr Drug Metab. 2017 Sep 11

Honey is known for its therapeutic properties from ancient civilizations but only since last few decades its mechanism has been studied on how it causes epithelial regeneration leading to wound and ulcer healing..

In the present review the health perspectives of honey, its chemical composition with special reference to flavonoids, polyphenol composition and other bioactive trace compounds used in tissue regeneration have been highlighted. Honey can inhibit carcinogenesis by moderating with molecular processes of initiation, advancement and progression stage of cancer cells, therefore it is considered a promising anti-cancer agent. Several, well-intentioned characteristics have drawn the attention of researchers to check copious endowed-biological activities of Manuka honey, including antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-proliferative capacities against cancer cells. Thus, scientists are trying to use Manuka honey in the area of biomedical and tissue engineering to design a template for regeneration.

Naturally derived antibacterial agents, like Manuka honey, contain mixture of compounds, which can influence antibacterial potency. The non-peroxide bacteriostatic properties of Manuka honey have been formerly associated to the presence of methylglyoxal (MGO). The assimilation of MGO as a functional antibacterial additive during designing a tissue template production would explore its properties as a potential agent for manufacturing tissue regeneration template.

The role of glyoxal (GO) and MGO in the bacterial growth inhibition, and in addition to immunomodulatory role, it also enhances wound healing and tissue regeneration. Researchers should step forward to explore the biomedical application, particularly integration into tissue regeneration templates.

Therefore, further studies are fully needed to provide detailed information on active components of Manuka honey and their potential therapeutic efficacy in numerous models of human diseases.

Research on Honey as Anti-Cancer Agent

New discovery in UAEU research project on cancer-tackling qualities of honey

Researchers at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) have taken their groundbreaking studies into the role of honey in battling cancer a step further, through new findings that pinpoint its potential impact.

The beneficial effects of Manuka honey — renowned for its anti-bacterial properties and capacity to heal wounds — as an anti-cancer agent were identified in 2013 by a research group headed by Dr. Basel Al-Ramadi, then chair of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology within UAEU’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS).

Now further investigation by the team has discovered a particular molecular aspect of breast cancer that this type of honey can combat, paving the way for the development of new understanding about precisely how it can be used to fight one of the world’s most serious diseases, and enhancing UAEU’s reputation for pioneering medical research capable of global impact....

Propolis Effectively Prevents Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis

Oncology Nurse Advisor

The combination of propolis and sodium bicarbonate is an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option to prevent oral mucositis (OM) in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy, according to a study published The European Journal of Cancer Care.

Previous studies exploring the use of propolis, a waxy substance produced by bees that is considered to be a complementary therapy to anticancer agents, for the treatment of esophagitis, stomatitis, oral ulcers, and other conditions achieved mixed results. For this study, researchers investigated the effects of propolis in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced OM in patients with breast cancer.

Charles Mraz Apitherapy Course And Conference (CMACC)

Theory In Practice, A Hands-On Approach

November 10-12 2017

The Redondo Beach Hotel

400 N. Harbor Drive

Redondo Beach, CA 90277

310-376-0746

Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Properties of Brazilian Propolis

Antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of propolis of Plebeia droryana and Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae) from the Brazilian Cerrado biome

Published: September 12, 2017

Propolis is a complex bioactive mixture produced by bees, known to have different biological activities, especially in countries where there is a rich biodiversity of plant species. The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition and evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of Brazilian propolis from the species Plebeia droryana and Apis mellifera found in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

In the ethanolic extracts of P. droryana propolis (ExEP-P) and A. mellifera (ExEP-A) acids, phenolic compounds, terpenes and tocopherol were identified as major compounds. Both extracts presented antioxidant activity against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, the maximum activities being 500 μg/mL (ExEP-P) and 300 μg/mL (ExEP-A). However, only ExEP-A was able to inhibit lipid peroxidation induced by the oxidizing agent 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), which inhibited oxidative hemolysis and reduced the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in human erythrocytes for 4 h of incubation. The extracts also reduced the cell viability of the K562 erythroleukemia tumour line, with a predominance of necrotic death.

Thus, it is concluded that the propolis produced by P. droryana and A. mellifera contain important compounds capable of minimizing the action of oxidizing substances in the organism and reducing the viability of erythroleukemia cells.

Manuka Honey Helps Heal Horse Wounds

Manuka honey proves it worth in healing horse wounds, but quality is essential – study
September 13, 2017, Horsetalk.co.nz

The value of manuka honey in helping to heal horse wounds has been shown in an Australian study, but the researchers say its important to use only the highest grades.

The researchers showed that manuka honey can have significant healing properties but not when it has a low Unique Manuka Factor (UMF).

Manuka honey is the only honey graded for antibacterial activity. It is graded against the standard antiseptic phenol.

The UMF scale runs from 0-30 and graded honey will have this on the packaging.

The study team tested whether UMF 20 honey had better effects on healing than UMF 5 honey and generic-store bought honey. They compared the results to healing of untreated wounds treated only with saline as a control.

The researchers also analysed whether the healing was primarily due to manuka honey’s antibacterial effects or because of effects on the cells that help healing.

Professor Andrew Dart, from the University of Sydney School of Veterinary Science, said the research was the most recent of a series of studies investigating the effects of manuka honey on healing of open wounds of horses...

Royal jelly – the nobility’s food

Times of Malta

Nature has provided us with several different ‘superfoods’ that have proven to be beneficial to our overall health and fitness. Nevertheless, Royal jelly (RJ) is more than likely the reigning king… or queen of these natural products.

Most people assume that honey is the only bees’ product we collect from the beehive. However, bees also give us RJ, propolis and pollen. Propolis is a resinous substance that the bees produce from tree glue which is mixed with their saliva. Both propolis and pollen are used in alternative medicine. RJ is a thick, milky-white, creamy liquid secreted from glands of the nurse bees, which is extremely nutritious and complex in its chemical composition...

Gwyneth Paltrow Uses Bee Venom Treatment to Get Rid of Her Scars

Gwyneth Paltrow Swears This Strange Treatment Got Rid of Her Scars
Liz Ritter, September 09, 2017

Gwyneth Paltrow's premiere issue of Goop magazine hit yesterday for pre-order and, besides a pretty revealing cover shot of the star, she gets into something she swears by that may have some people—not too surprisingly—scratching their heads: Bee venom injections in her C-section scar.

As reported on by Us, the 44-year-old shared that, "The doctor stings you [with a live bee] like it's an acupuncture needle. I had it done on my cesarean scar… I had some buckling in the scar, and it really evened it out."

Sounds out there but New York dermatologist Adebola Dele-Michael, MD, says bee venom contains hyaluronidase and other substances, which can soften scar tissue and keloids, but stresses that "caution must be taken with this treatment as some people are allergic to bee venom and may develop anaphylaxis when exposed to bee venom."

Free Amino Acids Profile of Polish and Slovak Honeys

Free amino acids profile of Polish and Slovak honeys based on LC–MS/MS method without the prior derivatisation


Journal of Food Science and Technology, pp 1–8


LC–MS/MS method was applied for determination of free amino acids in honey without derivatisation steps.

Twenty free amino acids including aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, glutamine, alanine, arginine, glycine, leucine, histidine, hydroxyproline, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, valine and ornithine were analyzed in thirty honey samples from Poland and Slovakia.

The analysis covered: acacia, lime, rape, multifloral and forest types of honey. Applied method was characterized to had good sensitivity with limit of detection ranged from 3.0 ng/cm3 for valine to 13.0 ng/cm3 for hydroxyproline.

Average content of proline (main amino acid component in honey) ranged from 151.46 μg/g (rape honey from Slovakia) to 389.66 μg/g for forest honey (honeydew honey) from Poland. In analyzed honeys large quantities of glutamine, glutamic acid, lysine, phenylalanine, asparagine, alanine, and valine were also found.

Honey Mitigates Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Honey Mitigates Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients without Affecting the Tumor Response.

Foods. 2017 Sep 6;6(9). pii: E77

Radiation-induced mucositis is a dose-limiting factor in the effective treatment of head and neck (H amp; N) cancers. The objective of this study was to understand the efficacy of honey in mitigating radiation-induced mucositis and whether it would interfere with tumor control. This was a single-blinded, randomized, controlled study and was carried out in patients with H & N cancer requiring curative radiotherapy (gt;62 Gy (Gray)). The patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to receive either honey ( n = 25) or povidone-iodine (active comparator) ( n = 25) during radiotherapy. Oral mucositis was assessed using the RTOG (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group) grading system before the start, during, and at the end of the treatment by an investigator unaware of the treatment. The results indicate that when compared with the active comparator, honey reduced the radiation-induced oral mucositis, decreased the incidence of intolerable mucositis, treatment breaks, loss of treatment days ( p lt; 0.0001 and lt; 0.0003) and did not affect the radiation-induced tumor response. The clinical observations indicate that honey mitigates the radiation-induced mucositis and does not interfere with tumor cell killing.

Lebanese Propolis Exhibits Significant Cytotoxicity and Anti-Proliferative Activity

Chemical characterization and cytotoxic activity evaluation of Lebanese propolis

Biomed Pharmacother. 2017 Aug 26;95:298-307

Chemical composition, anti-proliferative and proapoptotic activity as well as the effect of various fractions of Lebanese propolis on the cell cycle distribution were evaluated on Jurkat leukemic T-cells, glioblastoma U251 cells, and breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells using cytotoxic assays, flow cytometry as well as western blot analysis.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis revealed that ferulic acid, chrysin, pinocembrin, galangin are major constituents of the ethanolic crude extract of the Lebanese propolis, while the hexane fraction mostly contains chrysin, pinocembrin, galangin but at similar levels. Furthermore chemical analysis was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify major compounds in the hexane fraction. Reduction of cell viability was observed in Jurkat cells exposed to the ethanolic crude extract and the hexane fraction, while viability of U251 and MDA-MB-231 cells was only affected upon exposure to the hexane fraction; the other fractions (aqueous phase, methylene chloride, and ethyl acetate) were without effect.

Maximum toxic effect was obtained when Jurkat cells were cultivated with 90μg/ml of both the crude extract and hexane faction. Toxicity started early after 24h of incubation and remained till 72h. Interestingly, the decrease in cell viability was accompanied by a significant increase in p53 protein expression levels and PARP cleavage. Cell cycle distribution showed an increase in the SubG0 fraction in Jurkat, U251 and MDA-MB-231 cells after 24h incubation with the hexane fraction. This increase in SubG0 was further investigated in Jurkat cells by annexinV/PI and showed an increase in the percentage of cells in early and late apoptosis as well as necrosis.

In conclusion, Lebanese propolis exhibited significant cytotoxicity and anti-proliferative activity promising enough that warrant further investigations on the molecular targets and mechanisms of action of Lebanese propolis.

Manuka Honey Kills Wound Pathogens

Comprehensive In Situ Killing of Six Common Wound Pathogens With Manuka Honey Dressings Using a Modified AATCC-TM100

Wounds. 2017 Jul 26. pii: WNDS20170726-3

OBJECTIVE:

While Manuka honey in vitro is strongly antimicrobial, there have been, to the best of the authors' knowledge, no studies showing that dressings impregnated with Manuka honey can kill organisms in the dressing itself.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The investigators used the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists' 100 test methodology to compare honey-impregnated dressings with control dressings (without honey) on the ability to kill common wound pathogens. Organisms were chosen after a review of the causal organisms found in actual wound infections over a 12-month period in a busy outpatient wound clinic.

RESULTS:

Even when the dressings were challenged daily with further inoculated organisms, > 5-log reductions were routinely noted across a range of pathogens, including multiple drug-resistant species using dressings containing Manuka honey relative to the control.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results presented herein show that when well-characterized medical-grade Manuka honey is used in dressings (ie, a minimum of 400 mg methylglyoxal/kg) these dressings can comprehensively kill common wound pathogens associated with infected wounds

Manuka Honey Used to Treat Leg Wounds on Horses

This is how fast manuka honey can heal wounds

Manuka honey with a high UMF rating is significantly more effective than examples with a low rating, or regular honey, in improving wound healing, new research shows.

Researchers at the University of Sydney compared the effectiveness of manuka honey of different UMF (unique manuka factor) ratings (ranging from 5 to 20 depending on antibacterial activity) and ordinary, store-bought honey in healing large, bloody wounds on horses' legs.

They said the results were "quite remarkable" and applicable to humans.

"I have been doing wound-healing studies for many years and if you look across the board there are very few, if any, compounds that have a consistent repeatable effect," Sydney University equine surgical specialist Andrew Dart said...

Apitherapy Seminar in New Zealand September 12

Bee products for medicinal use

A seminar looking at the medical uses of products from bees and their environment will be held in Tauranga on September 12.

The seminar will be led by Dr Shaun Holt, science director of HoneyLab, a Tauranga-based pharmaceutical company which is running the world's largest clinical research programme into the medical uses of products from bees and their environment.

Shaun lectures at Victoria University in Wellington, is a qualified pharmacist and doctor and the author of nine books and more than 200 scientific papers.

HoneyLab does not sell jars of Manuka honey to be eaten, rather developing novel medical products and undertaking clinical research to show that locally-sourced natural materials can be as effective and safe as pharmaceutical medicines...

Propolis and the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancers

Evaluating Antioxidant Capacity of Different Propolis Samples from Konya, Turkey and Their Inhibitory Effect on Head and Neck Cancer Cells

Propolis is a resinous mixture collected and used by the honey bees to construct and repair their hives. The component of propolis varies depend on the type of the plants collected. Propolis and its constituents have been subjected to many studies and are known for their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic properties. In our study, antioxidant and antitumor capacity of propolis from Konya Sakyatan and Kiziloren regions were investigated. According to our result, Kızıloren propolis sample possesses higher antioxidant component and antioxidant capacity than Sakyatan sample. Accordingly, Kiziloren sample showed antiproliferative effect at much lower doses compared to the Sakyatan sample. Both samples effectively inhibited the migration of cancer cells at their determined IC50 dosages. Obtained data indicates that constituents of propolis can greatly vary from one sample to another even in the same region and propolis selections for cancer prevention and treatment studies should be carefully considered.

Bee Venom May Help Treat Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Honey bee venom combined with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3as a highly efficient inducer of differentiation in human acute myeloid leukemia cells

J Cancer Res Ther. 2017 Jul-Sep;13(3):544-549

PURPOSE:

Most cancer cells exhibit a defect in their capacity to mature into nonreplicating adult cells and existing in a highly proliferating state. Differentiation therapy by agents such as 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3(1,25-(OH)2 VD3) represents a useful approach for the treatment of cancer including acute myeloid leukemia. Human myeloid leukemia cell lines are induced to terminal differentiation into monocyte lineage by 1,25-(OH)2 VD3. However, usage of these findings in the clinical trials is limited by calcemic effects of 1,25-(OH)2 VD3. Attempts to overcome this problem have focused on a combination of low concentrations 1,25-(OH)2 VD3 with other compounds to induce differentiation of HL-60 cells. In this study, the effect of honey bee venom (BV) and 1,25-(OH)2 VD3, individually and in combination, on proliferation and differentiation of human myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells were assayed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In this in vitro study, toxic and nontoxic concentrations of BV and 1,25-(OH)2 VD3 were tested using Trypan blue stained cell counting and (3[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. In addition, differentiation of cells was assayed using a Wright-Giemsa staining and nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test. Data were analyzed by a one-way analysis of the variance test using SPSS software.

RESULTS:

Our findings showed that both the BV and 1,25-(OH)2 VD3, in a dose and time-dependent manner, caused cell death at high concentrations and inhibited cell proliferation at lower concentrations. About 5 nM of 1,25-(OH)2 VD3 induced differentiation of HL-60 cells to monocytes after 72 h. 2.5 μg/ml of BV suppressed proliferation of HL-60 cells but had not any effects on their differentiation, whereas in combination with 5 nM of 1,25-(OH)2 VD3, it enhanced antiproliferative and differentiation potency of 1,25-(OH)2 VD3.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results indicate that BV potentiates the 1,25-(OH)2 VD3-induced HL-60 cell differentiation into monocytes.

How Honeybee Diet Determines Development Of Queen Bees And Worker Bees

Royal Diet

In honeybee colonies, the queen can easily be identified because she is larger than all of her workers. As it turns out, the early diet of bees determine which bee will be the fertile queen and which will be the sterile workers.  

The prevailing view when it comes to the development of honeybees' social status is that what they eat as larvae determines whether they will become the fertile queen or one of the sterile workers. Now researchers are close to understanding just how honeybee diets affect their future roles in the colony.

Manuka Honey May Help Treat Breast Cancer

The IL-6/STAT3 Signaling Pathway Is an Early Target of Manuka Honey-Induced Suppression of Human Breast Cancer Cells

Front Oncol. 2017 Aug 14;7:167

There is renewed interest in the potential use of natural compounds in cancer therapy. Previously, we demonstrated the anti-tumor properties of manuka honey (MH) against several cancers. However, the underlying mechanism and molecular targets of this activity remain unknown.

For this study, the early targets of MH and its modulatory effects on proliferation, invasiveness, and angiogenic potential were investigated using two human breast cancer cell lines, the triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cells and estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 cells, and the non-neoplastic breast epithelial MCF-10A cell line. Exposure to MH at concentrations of 0.3-1.25% (w/v) induced a dose-dependent inhibition of the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, but not MCF-10A, cells. This inhibition was independent of the sugar content of MH as a solution containing equivalent concentrations of its three major sugars failed to inhibit cell proliferation. At higher concentrations (> 2.5%), MH was found to be generally deleterious to the growth of all three cell lines. MH induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells through activation of caspases 8, 9, 6, and 3/7 and this correlated with a loss of Bcl-2 and increased Bax protein expression in MH-treated cells.  

Incubation with MH induced a time-dependent translocation of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol and Bax translocation from the cytosol into the mitochondria. MH also induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells via the activation of caspases 9 and 6. Low concentrations of MH (0.03-1.25% w/v) induced a rapid reduction in tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT3 (pY-STAT3) in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. Maximum inhibition of pY-STAT3 was observed at 1 h with a loss of >80% and coincided with decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6) production. Moreover, MH inhibited the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells as well as the angiogenic capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Our findings identify multiple functional pathways affected by MH in human breast cancer and highlight the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway as one of the earliest potential targets in this process.