Bee Venom May Help Treat Arthritis (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Pain, Stiffness, Swelling, Inflammation)

Investigation of anti-inflammatory effects of bee venom in experimentally induced adjuvant arthritis

Reumatologia. 2020;58(5):265-271

Abstract

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis is a multisystemic inflammatory disease characterized by destruction of the joints. An effective treatment method of the disease has not been developed yet. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of bee (Apis mellifera anatoliaca) venom (BV) on serum inflammatory parameters, serum antioxidant load and clinical parameters of experimentally induced adjuvant arthritis in rats.

Material and methods: A total of 35 Wistar albino male rats were used. The animals were divided into 5 groups. First group animals served as negative controls. The second, third, fourth and fifth groups were used for experimental arthritis induction. Following clinical development of arthritis, the first group was subcutaneously administered 0.2 ml of physiological saline, and the second, third and fourth groups were treated subcutaneously with 2 µg/kg, 4 µg/kg and 20 µg/kg once a week three times. Physiological saline injected fifth group animals were used as a sham-treatment group. Clinical observations and evaluation of arthritis were made at the 15th day, and at the end of the experiment. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, paraoxonase, serum aryl esterase, high-sensitivity C reactive protein, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were determined in cardiac blood samples taken at the end of the 29th day.

Results: From the data, total oxidant level (TOL) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were calculated. Significant improvements were observed in the clinical signs of arthritis and inflammatory markers such as in IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and TOL and OSI in the 20.0 µg/kg BV-administered group. Bee venom administration did not cause any significant increase in ALT and AST values or signs of liver toxicity.

Conclusions: Bee venom treatment was effective in alleviation of symptoms of the experimental rat adjuvant arthritis by means of clinical observation and serum inflammatory markers.

Bee Bread, Bee Pollen Show Antimicrobial Activity

Bee-collected pollen (BCP) is a well-known functional food. Honey bees process the collected pollen and store it in the hive, inside the comb cells. The processed pollen is called bee- bread or ambrosia and it is the main source of proteins, lipids, vitamins, macro-and micro-elements in honey bee nutrition. During storage, beebread undergoes solid state fermentation which preserves it and increases the bioavailability of nutrients. Research on beebread has been rather limited until now. In recent years, there is an increasing interest regarding the antimicrobial properties of BCP and beebread, due to emerging antimicrobial resistance by pathogens. Both BCP and beebread exhibit antimicrobial properties against diverse pathogens, like bacteria and fungi. As is the case with other bee products, lack of antimicrobial resistance might be attributed to the synergy of more than one antimicrobial compounds within BCP and beebread. Furthermore, BCP and bee bread exert targeted activity against pathogens and affect the host microbiome in a prebiotic manner. This review aims to present up to date research findings regarding these aspects as well as to discuss current challenges and future perspectives in the field.

...BCP or BB demonstrate selective antimicrobial activity that is usually higher against Gram-positive compared to Gram-negative bacteria. Strain specificity should be further investigated to identify BCP/BB compounds responsible for that. In that respect more studies should be conducted towards exploring synergy of BCP and BB extracts (or compounds detected within) and antibiotics. This synergy could prevent or delay microbial resistance which is a major public health issue.

Invitation to the Online Romanian Apitherapy Congress, Nov. 20-22, 2020

The Romanian Apitherapy Society is offering next week-end (November 20-22), through ZOOM online platform, free access to our international speakers and regular participants.

For more details please check our website: http://www.apiterapie.ro/en/the-xiii-th-romanian-apitherapy-congress/

Please share this info with all your best friends and colleagues from your own national Apitherapy Associations/groups.

We have a limited number of seats in the conference room, so hurry-up with your registration.

Best regards from Romania,

Yours all,

Dr. Stefan Stangaciu

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

How to Make Homemade Antibiotic with Turmeric and Honey

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of turmeric
• 100 grams of honey (Buckwheat Honey is Great) 

Instructions:

In a glass jar, mix the ingredient, and stir well.

Take a tablespoon of the remedy on every hour to treat the flu. Do not swallow it immediately, but leave it to melt in the mouth. On the next day, take the same amount but on every 2 hours, and repeat on the third day, taking it only three times daily.

You can also add it to your tea or milk.