APIMEDICA Presentation: Bee Venom Therapy in Japan

APIMEDICA 2006, October 12-15, 2006, Athens, Greece
Presenter: Hirofumi Naito, Kofu Honeybee Research Laboratory, Vice President of Nippon Apitherapy Society

Summary Points:

Beekeeping in Japan began in the 19th Century when Western honey bees were first introduced.
Bee Venom Therapy (BVT) began in the 1930s.
Around 1940, several doctors published booklets about BVT.
Japanese BVT is the method of acquiring the greatest effect by the minimal amount of bee venom.

Characteristic of Japanese BVT:

Remove the stinger with a forceps.
Sting several times very lightly.
Stinging points are mostly all over the recipient’s body.
Sting points where parasympathetic nerve are known to be stimulated.

Quantity of Venom:

QV-I - Skin is pierced and stinger immediately withdrawn
QV-II - Stinger left in about 0.5 seconds
QV-III - Stinger left in about 1-2 seconds
For I-III - Wait 5-6 seconds after removing the stinger before treatment
QV-IV - Immediately after removal the stinger is left in for 5 seconds
QV-V - Direct sting

Attaining BVA (Bee Venom Acceptable) level generally takes one to six months (receiving BVT once a week), with the average recipient requiring between two and three months.

However, factors such as age, gender, weight, health condition, and use of tobacco or alcohol create such a remarkable difference between individuals that predicting the amount of time it will take at the beginning of treatment is close to impossible.

APIMEDICA Presentation: Bee Honey Therapy in Diabetic Volunteers

October 12-15, 2006, Athens, Greece
By Mamdouh Abdulmaksoud Mohamed Abdulrhman, Professor of Pediatrics, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

Among the health benefits of honey are its anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial effects. Because diabetes mellitus is thought to be precipitated by an autoimmune process, inflammation, or infections (or a combination of these) in genetically predisposed individuals, it is worthwhile to try honey, despite its high sugar content, in treating the disease.

It has been observed that the increases in blood glucose in type 2 diabetes were higher after fructose or sucrose intake than after honey .

After obtaining consent, four volunteers with type 2 diabetes mellitus stopped taking all their medicines and were then given bee honey therapy (BHT).

Plan of Management:

No medicines (insulin is tapered)
Bee Honey (oral ± IV)
No diet restriction except:
Salt restriction in hypertensive cases(1&2)
Replacing sugar by honey as a sweetener

Bee Honey Therapy (BHT):

Oral:

The minimum dose is 50 ml t.d.s in case 2 and 30 ml t.d.s in those receiving IV honey (cases 1 & 3 & 4)
Honey is dissolved in water and given before meals.

IV honey solution:

Case 1 received 20 injections at mean intervals of 4 days , each was 3ml 20% solution .
Case 3 is receiving 5ml at mean intervals of 2 weeks ( the concentration was gradually increased from 5 to 20% ).
Case 4 is receiving 5ml at mean intervals of 2 wks ( the concentration was gradually increasing from 5% and last injection at 5 October 2006 was 18% ).

Follow Up:

History
Physical examination
Urinalysis
RBS
Serum lipids
Renal functions
Fundus examination
ECG

No complications:

No coma
No ketonuria
No eye problems
No kidney problems
No foot problems
No CVS or CNS complications

Conclusion:

For the first two patients, bee honey therapy helped alleviate the disorders associated with diabetes (hypertension, angina, and dyslipidemia) despite the persistence of high blood sugar. Not only is the high blood glucose associated with BHT benign; it may also be needed to prevent and treat complications of diabetes. Alternatively, high glucose may be only a temporary reaction that would be the last one to disappear .

The situation in cases 3 and 4 is nearly similar to cases 1 and 2 but in their earlier stages although the progress in case 4 looks more rapid.

Bee Products Favored as Beauty Ingredients

Bee is for Beauty
South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), 11/2/2006

According to L'Occitane, which has a Honey Harvest range of products, ingredients such as propolis, honey and royal jelly strengthen, soften, nourish and soothe skin…

Some brands have taken the bee for their starting point in setting up business. Greek brand Apivita began with a line of soaps and shampoos made from honey, propolis, royal jelly and bee pollen…

Burt's Bees is a natural-born brand that grew out of a bee-keeper's stock of beeswax that was made into candles and lip balm and sold at craft fairs in the United States. The products range from beeswax and royal jelly to lip balm.

Propolis May Offer Solutions to Bacterial Resistance

Tiny Tools is Big Business
By Ron Godfrey, This is York (UK), 10/31/2006

A UNIVERSITY spin-off company, whose scientists have developed tiny tools to examine the nature of matter, is competing tomorrow for a £2,000 award.

Paraytec Ltd is one of five shortlisted bio-firms that are presenting their research and commercial potential at the two-day White Rose Bioscience Forum, held at the Central Science Laboratory, in Sand Hutton, near York…

Paraytec's only North Yorkshire rival at the presentation is Nature's Laboratory, of Whitby, which has gone back to nature to find medical solutions to bacterial resistance.

It works with propolis, a complex chemical which is collected from plants by bees and has antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties.

James Fearnley, managing director of Nature's Laboratory, said clinical trials had been undertaken to see if propolis could be used to treat some skin diseases and respiratory problems.

It is also being tested for ways in which it can combat immune deficiency diseases, like HIV/AIDS, as well as Alzheimer's disease.

Study: Propolis Component May Enhance Leukemia Treatment

New Leukemia Therapy Research Reported
Medicine & Law Weekly, 11/3/2006

Investigators publish new data in the report "Enhancement of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on all-trans retinoic acid-induced differentiation in human leukemia HL-60 cells. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) induces complete remission in a high proportion of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL); however, the response is sometimes very slow. Furthermore, relapse and resistance to treatment often occur despite continued treatment with ATRA," researchers in Taichung, Taiwan report.

"Thereafter, combination treatment strategies have been suggested to circumvent these problems. The present study demonstrates that caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a major component of honeybee propolis, enhanced ATRA-induced granulocytic differentiation in HL-60, a human promyelocytic cell line…

In addition, CAPE enhanced ATRA-induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase by decreasing the association of cdk2-cyclin E complex. Finally, it was demonstrated that CAPE promoted the ATRA-mediated nuclear transcription activation of RARalpha assessed by EMSA assay and enhanced the expression of target genes including RARalpha, C/EBPepsilon, and p21 protein resulting in the differentiation development of leukemia," wrote H.C. Kuo and colleagues, Chung-Shan Medical University, Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology.

The researchers concluded: "It is suggested that CAPE possesses the potential to enhance the efficiency of ATRA in the differentiation therapy of APL."

Kuo and colleagues published their study in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (Enhancement of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on all-trans retinoic acid-induced differentiation in human leukemia HL-60 cells. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2006;216(1):80-8).

Couple Brings Oranic Manuka Honey to Canada

Honey's Healing Powers
Karen Gram, Vancouver Sun (Canada), 10/30/2006

Catherine and Sebastian Martin are brainstorming. They need a good name for their newest product.

The Chemainus-based husband and wife team are the only Canadian distributors of organic manuka honey, a honey rich in antibacterial properties that has been shown to heal infections, prevent the spread of the super-bug MRSA in hospitals, heal ulcers and even fight gingivitis…

Manuka honey is almost unknown in North America, but it was a common ancient remedy that was rediscovered in the 1990s. It has become a well-known household remedy in England, France, Japan, Australia and New Zealand -- people slurp a teaspoon whenever they feel a sore throat coming on. They spread it on their kids' scraped knees. They eat it to control ulcers by preventing the build up of H-pylori in their guts. They use it for acid reflux. It's also touted for healing leg ulcers on people with diabetes.

Medical researchers are showing an interest in the honey's antiseptic properties because of the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant super bugs. Researchers have found some honeys, especially manuka honey, effectively prevent the growth of MRSA, a nasty super bug that has invaded hospitals throughout the West…

For more information about manuka honey, go to www.manukacanada.com To contact the Martins, visit http://www.wedderspoon.ca

Honey and Cardamom Recommended for Nausea

Cardamom and Lemon Juice Help Cure Nausea
Asian News International (India), 10/28/2006

Nausea makes not only the affected but also others around disgusted. To overcome the sickness several handy home remedies can be administered for instant relief.

Well ground powder of half a gram to one gram of fried seeds of cardamoms (illachi) with honey is effective in curing vomiting tendency...

Bee Venom May Help Rheumatoid Arthritis

Effects of Bee Venom on Protease Activities and Free Radical Damages in Synovial Fluid From Type II Collagen-Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis Rats
Toxicology In Vitro, 2006 Dec;20(8):1465-71

The effect of bee venom acupunture (BVA) (api-toxin) on the development of type II collagen (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats has been studied…

It was concluded that activation of proteolytic enzymes and free radicals are likely to be of equal potential importance as protein damaging agents in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the latter disorder should include both protease inhibitory and free radical scavenging elements. In addition, the protease inhibitory element should be designed to inhibit the action of a broad range of enzymatic mechanistic types (cysteine, serine, metallo proteinases and peptidases). In conclusion, BVA is considered to be an effective RA modulator, inhibiting protease activities and removing ROS.

Malaysian Hospital Treats Diabetic Ulcers with Honey

Honey for Diabetic Ulcers Being Treated at USM Hospital
Sulaiman Jaafar, New Straits Times (Malaysia), 10/27/2006

Diabetics and honey may seem an unlikely combination. But the sweet liquid from bees is working wonders on wounds caused by the disease that are being treated at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian.

The best results have been seen on those suffering from ulcers of the foot.

USM orthopaedic department head, Dr Mohd Iskandar Mohd Amin, said the anti-septic properties of honey make it a potent salve.

“We found honey to be just as effective as modern anti-septic treatment. It was also less painful for patients and wounds appeared to heal faster," he said.

A clinical trial in 2002 showed that honey worked as well as modern dressing, was cheaper and caused less pain when dressing were changed.

“There was also less smell from the wound and no allergic reaction,’ he added.

HUSM has treated more 1,000 diabetics with honey since 1996…

Diabetics wounds are washed with saline, smeared with a thick coat of honey and wrapped with gauze. The dressing is changed every three days.

"We used to apply local honey but patients complained of discomfort, probably because local honey is impure. This was solved by using imported honey available at supermarkets," he said…

Latvia Bans Russian Honey

Siberian News, 10/25/2006

Russian honey is seized from sale in Latvia. Remains of substances were detected in honey made in Russia and the Ukraine. Sale of polluted honey was stopped; the honey consignment was seized.

Latvian State Food and Veterinary Service urged consumers to pay attention to the label and not to buy flower honey made in Russia of consignment No. M095, buckwheat honey of consignment No. 010106 and various sorts of Ukrainian honey No. L517, Latvian press reports.

Latvian experts note that remains of medicines usually get into honey when bees are treated in the wrong way…

Honey Bee Genome Mapped

Mapping of Genome Brings Swarm of Interest in Honeybees
By Reuters, 10/26/2006

LONDON -- Scientists have unraveled the genetic code of the honeybee, uncovering clues about its complex social behavior, heightened sense of smell, and African origins…

Royal Jelly Stimulates Bone Formation

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 2006 Oct;70(10):2508-14

Royal jelly (RJ) has diverse physiological and pharmacological functions…Oral administration of RJ to normal female mice for 9 weeks increased the ash content of their tibiae. DNA microarray analysis revealed significant changes in gene expression related to extracellular matrix formation when the femurs of mice fed RJ were analyzed…

These data suggest that RJ as a whole or some of its individual components stimulates production of type I collagen and other activities for bone formation through action on osteoblasts.

APIMEDICA Presentation: The Antioxidant Properties of a New Non-Alcoholic Water-Soluble Propolis (WEEP)

APIMEDICA 2006, October 14, 2006, Athens, Greece
Presenter: Sung-Kee Jo, Ill-Yun Jeong, Uhee Jung, Radiation Biotechnology Team,
Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Daejeon, KOREA; Seoul Propolis Co.

Summary Points:

* The Processing of WEEP

1st Step:

Ethanol-extracted propolis (EEP) - extracted with 80% ethanol from raw propolis material.

2nd Step:

Non-alcoholic water-soluble propolis (WEEP) - produced from EEP by pH adjustment

* Conclusions:

1. Non-alcoholic water-soluble propolis (WEEP) was prepared by pH adjustment processing of EEP.
2. WEEP showed hydroxyl radical scavenging activity.
3. Although WEEP itself showed lower DPPH radical scavenging activity compared with EEP, reduction of WEEP with HCl mostly recovered the activity (to 74% of EEP).
4. WEEP showed comparable or similar in vivo antioxidant activities to EEP in mice, such as reduction of lipid peroxidation in CCl4-treated mice enhancement of survival and regeneration of bone-marrow stem cells (hematopoietic cells) in irradiated mice reduction of oxidative DNA damage in irradiated mice.
5. WEEP showed some trends to reduce the exercise-induced oxidative stress in a clinical study.

APIMEDICA Presentation: Bee Products in Ophthalmology in Lithuania

APIMEDICA 2006, October 15, 2006, Athens, Greece
Presenter: Jurate Jankauskiene, Sigitas Vasiliauskas, Dalia Jankauskaite
Kaunas Medical University, Company “Medicata Filia”

Summary Points:

* Bee products (honey, propolis, bee pollen, royal jelly) are widely used in ophthalmology today in Lithuania.

* Bee pollen is used in patients with retinal atherosclerosis, ischemic changes of the retina and optic nerve, myopia, age-related macular degeneration, retinal degenerations.

Pollen tablets (Adults (2-4 tablets per day). Children (1-3 tablets per day).
Pollen tablets with bee bread and vitamin C (Pollens – 68.7%, Bee bread – 30%, Vitamin C – 1.3 %)
Pollen tablets with propolis and vitamin C (Pollens – 94.7%, Propolis – 4%. Vitamin C - 1.3 %)
Pollen tablets with vitamin C (Pollens – 98.7%, Vitamin C – 1.3%)

* Royal jelly is used in patients with ischemic changes of the retina and optic nerve, atrophy of optic nerve, angiosclerosis of the retinae, myopia, age-related macular degeneration, other retinal degenerations.

Royal Jelly Tablets (royal jelly, glucose)

“Viziovitalis” (Royal jelly 30 mg, blue berry 215 mg, beta-carotene 0.75 mg, vit. C 9 mg, Vit.E 2.25 mg)

* We have found a positive effect of 20 percent honey eye drops on the state of the cornea, best results were observed when the treatment was started early while there were no corneal damages.

* In patients with wounds infected with antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, not responding to antibiotic therapy, good results have been achieved after application of honey.

* Honey may be used as a traditional therapy for dry cornea to prevent corneal complications and antiinflammatory action, which reduces the swelling.

* According to the results of investigation, honey drops have very good anti-inflammatory action, regenerative and anti-toxic features and we recommend use them to treat such eye disorders as, dry eye syndrome keratopathy, keratitis, corneal ulcers, corneal opacities, conjunctivitis.

* In patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy who used Royal jelly an improvement of visual functions and reduction of retinal blind spot (p<0.05) was noted.

* An improvement of visual functions (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity) and dilatation of retinal arteries was noted in patients with myopia who used "Viziovitalis".

* In patients with age-related macula degeneration who used "Viziovitalis," there was an improvement of visual functions (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, mean threshold sensitivity of central visual field).

* Royal jelly and "Viziovitalis" can be recommended together with other methods of conservative treatment of myopia and age-related macula degeneration.

APIMEDICA Presentation: Bee Products in Ophthalmology in Lithuania

APIMEDICA 2006, October 15, 2006, Athens, Greece
Presenter: Jurate Jankauskiene, Sigitas Vasiliauskas, Dalia Jankauskaite

* In patients with age-related macula degeneration who used "Viziovitalis," there was an improvement of visual functions (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, mean threshold sensitivity of central visual field).
Royal jelly and "Viziovitalis" can be recommended together with other methods of conservative treatment of myopia and age-related macula degeneration.