Video: West Virginia Honey Festival

The Buzz Was The Honey Festival
WTAP-TV, 8/29/2009

This year's West Virginia Honey Festival has not only brought in the avid bee lovers, but it's also their best crowd to date.

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Honey a Potential Anti-Cancer Agent

Involvement of Non-Protein Thiols, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Reactive Oxygen Species and p53 in Honey-Induced Apoptosis
Investigational New Drugs, August 24, 2009

Honey is a complex mixture of different biologically active constituents. Honey possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumor properties. Our chief investigation was to assess the honey induced apoptosis and its molecular mechanism in colon cancer cell growth inhibition.

Honey exerted antiproliferative potential against the HCT-15 and HT-29 colon cancer cells as assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Flow cytometric analysis showed the increasing accumulation of hypodiploid nuclei in the sub-G1 phase of cell cycle indicating apoptosis.

Honey transduced the apoptotic signal via initial depletion of intracellular non protein thiols, consequently reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and increasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. An increasing earlier lipid layer break was observed in the treated cells compared to the control.

Honey induced apoptosis was accompanied by up-regulating the p53 and modulating the expression of pro and anti-apoptotic proteins. Further apoptosis induction was substantiated using DNA fragmentation assay and YO-PRO-1 staining.

Results showed honey as a plausible candidate for induction of apoptosis through ROS and mitochondria-dependent mechanisms in colon cancer cells. This will promote honey as a potential chemotherapeutic agent against colon cancer.

Cell Phone Towers Cripple Honey Bee Navigational Ability

Mobile Phone Towers a Threat to Honey Bees: Study
AFP, 8/31/2009

NEW DELHI: The electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phone towers and cellphones can pose a threat to honey bees, a study published in India has concluded.

An experiment conducted in the southern state of Kerala found that a sudden fall in the bee population was caused by towers installed across the state by cellphone companies to increase their network.

The electromagnetic waves emitted by the towers crippled the ‘navigational skills’ of the worker bees that go out to collect nectar from flowers to sustain bee colonies, said Dr. Sainuddin Pattazhy, who conducted the study, the Press Trust of India news agency reported…

Bee Venom-Induced Kidney Failure Examined

Mechanisms of Bee Venom-Induced Acute Renal Failure
Toxicon, Volume 48, Issue 1, July 2006, Pages 44-54

The spread of Africanized bees in the American continent has increased the number of severe envenomation after swarm attacks. Acute renal failure (ARF) is one of the major hazards in surviving patients.

To assess the mechanisms of bee venom-induced ARF, rats were evaluated before, up to 70 min and 24 h after 0.5 mg/kg of venom injection. Control rats received saline. Bee venom caused an early and significant reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR, inulin clearance, 0.84±0.05 to 0.40±0.08 ml/min/100 g, p<0.0001) and renal blood flow (RBF, laser Doppler flowmetry), which was more severe in the cortical (−72%) than in the medullary area (−48%), without systemic blood pressure decrease. Creatine phosphokinase, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase increased significantly, pointing to rhabdomyolysis, whereas serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and hematocrit remained stable.

Twenty-four hours after venom, RBF recovered but GFR remained significantly impaired. Renal histology showed acute tubular injury and a massive tubular deposition of myoglobin. Venom was added to isolated rat proximal tubules (PT) suspension subjected to normoxia and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) for direct nephrotoxicity evaluation. After 60 min of incubation, 0.1, 2 and 10 μg of venom induced significant increases in LDH release: 47%, 64% and 86%, respectively, vs. 21% in control PT while 2 μg of venom enhanced H/R injury (85% vs. 55%, p<0.01).

These results indicate that vasoconstriction, direct nephrotoxicity and rhabdomyolysis are important mechanisms in the installation of bee venom-induced ARF that may occur even without hemolysis or hypotension.

Heated High-Fructose Corn Syrup Can Kill Bees

Heat Forms Potentially Harmful Substance in High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Medical News Today, 8/27/2009

Researchers have established the conditions that foster formation of potentially dangerous levels of a toxic substance in the high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) often fed to honey bees. Their study, which appears in the current issue of ACS' bi-weekly Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, could also help keep the substance out of soft drinks and dozens of other human foods that contain HFCS. The substance, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), forms mainly from heating fructose.

In the new study, Blaise LeBlanc and Gillian Eggleston and colleagues note HFCS's ubiquitous usage as a sweetener in beverages and processed foods. Some commercial beekeepers also feed it to bees to increase reproduction and honey production. When exposed to warm temperatures, HFCS can form HMF and kill honeybees. Some researchers believe that HMF may be a factor in Colony Collapse Disorder, a mysterious disease that has killed at least one-third of the honeybee population in the United States…

"The data are important for commercial beekeepers, for manufacturers of HFCS, and for purposes of food storage. Because HFCS is incorporated as a sweetener in many processed foods, the data from this study are important for human health as well," the report states. It adds that studies have linked HMF to DNA damage in humans…

UK Firm to Sell Propolis Product for Women in UAE

Meldex Signs Distribution Agreement with Delta Medical for Menoflavon and Melprotect

Aug 28, 2009 (Datamonitor Financial Deals Tracker via COMTEX) -- Meldex International Plc, a UK-based specialty pharmaceutical and healthcare company, has signed a sales and distribution agreement with Delta Medical Establishment for Meldex's Menoflavon(R) range of products and Melprotect(R) in the United Arab Emirates…

Menoflavon is a natural supplement for women who suffer from disorders in general well-being during the menopause and Melprotect Propolis is a natural substance and has a soothing effect on skin and mucous membranes.

Propolis Shows Immunorestorative Activity

Propolis Effect on Th1/Th2 Cytokines Production by Acutely Stressed Mice
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 125, Issue 2, 7 September 2009, Pages 230-233

Aim of the study: Propolis has gained special attention due to its biological properties, however, little is known about its immunomodulatory effects in stress conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate propolis effect on Th1/Th2 cytokines production by spleen cells of acutely stressed mice. Serum corticosterone concentration was determined as a stress indicator...

Results: Regarding Th1 cytokines production, no alterations were seen in IL-2 production; however, IFN-γ production was inhibited in stressed mice, even when treated with propolis. As to Th2 cytokines, IL-4 was inhibited in stressed mice, but normal levels were seen when these animals were treated with propolis. No significant differences were found in IL-10 production between the experimental groups. Stressed groups (treated or not with propolis) showed higher corticosterone concentrations in comparison to control group.

Conclusions: Data suggest that propolis treatment was not able to counteract the stress-induced immunosuppressive effect on IFN-γ production; however, propolis showed an immunorestorative role, increasing IL-4 production in stressed mice, favoring humoral immune response during stress. Since the exact mechanisms of this natural product on immune system are still unclear, further studies are still required for a better comprehension of propolis use as a therapeutic alternative against the stress-induced negative effects that could lead to the development of various diseases.

Video: Rap Video Aims to Save Honey Bees

By J.H. Freeman, Medill Reports, 8/29/2009

In preparation for the first-ever National Honey Bee Awareness Day that took place on Aug. 22, big bee backer Häagen-Dazs used the creative efforts of five brothers from Los Altos, Calif., to make a short video raising awareness.

Max Lanman, a 21-year-old senior at Yale majoring in film studies (and the third-oldest Lanman brother), directed, edited and photographed the result of the request, a viral video entitled “Do the Honey Bee.”…

New Way to Evaluate Propolis Component’s Anti-Bacterial Efficiency

The Use of FTIR Microscopy for the Evaluation of Anti-Bacterial Agents Activity
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, Volume 96, Issue 1, 17 July 2009, Pages 17-23

FTIR spectroscopy has been used by chemists as a powerful tool to characterize inorganic and organic compounds. In this study we examined the potential of FTIR microspectroscopy for early evaluation of the efficiency of anti-bacterial therapy. For this purpose, the effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and ampicillin on the development of bacterial infection in cell culture was examined.

CAPE is one of the most active components of propolis which is a natural honeybee product with a potent anti-bacterial activity. Our results show early (2 h post-treatment), unique and significant spectral indicators for successful treatment with CAPE although some of these biomarkers showed different trends in Gram (−) compared with Gram (+) bacteria. For instance, the intensity of bands at 682 and 1316 cm−1 decreases in all examined Gram (−) bacterial strains while significantly increases in all examined Gram (+) bacterial strains. On the other hand, both Gram (+) and Gram (−) bacteria treated with ampicillin did not show any spectral differences compared with the control untreated bacteria.

It seems that FTIR spectroscopy can be used as an effective tool for an early evaluation of the efficiency of the anti-bacterial effect of CAPE and probably other used drugs.

Celebrity Doctor Goofs on Origin of Honey

Bee Advocates Miffed With Dr. Oz's Misdiagnosis
By Paul Bedard, U.S.News & World Report, 8/27/2009

With all the problems honey bees are facing, the last thing the busy bugs need is a bad diagnosis from a celebrity TV doctor. But that's exactly what Oprah's Mehmet Oz and colleague Mike Roizen issued in their newspaper column this week in mischaracterizing how honey is made.

"When doctors make claims so wildly false, so absolutely wrong in commonly understood aspects of biology, can there be trust in anything they say?" asks Kim Flottum, editor of the industry journal Bee Culture.

What has Flottum, the Agriculture Department-governed National Honey Board, and bee advocates throughout Washington and the nation buzzing is the docs' answer to a question about the benefits of honey. In their You Docs column carried nationally, the duo wrote: "Lighter honey is made from pollen, while darker honeys are made when bees make use of the sugary substances that other insects leave on trees and plants. That makes them richer in amino acids and compounds that protect your cells."

Wrong.

Bruce Boynton, chief executive officer of the National Honey Board, provided a matter-of-fact explanation to Whispers in response to what Dr. Oz's researchers at RealAge called an editing error. "Honey is the substance made when the nectar and sweet deposits from plants are gathered, modified, and stored in the honeycomb by honey bees. Pollen is not a raw material for honey. While pollen is brought back to the hive by the bees, it serves as a source of protein for young bees."

Flottum, who also pens a bee blog at the dailygreen.com, wasn't as sweet. "Lighter honey is made from pollen? Good grief. And dark honeys are made from honey dew, by your definition completely made from insect droppings, and nothing else?" he says. Dark honey, he adds, supplies antioxidants…

RealAge, which researches and fact-checks the column, said: "Due to an editing error, a recent Q&A column called "The truth about honey, fats, and white tea" inadvertently stated that honey is made from pollen. In fact, most honey comes from plant nectar (although bees make some dark honeys from a substance called 'honeydew,' a residue from insects that feed on sweet tree sap). We regret the mistake and any confusion it caused."…

Honey Effective Against Flu and Colds

Correio do Brasil, 8/17/2009

In addition to sweetening, honey can help treat many diseases such as influenza, asthma, tonsillitis and bronchitis. Delicious, honey also helps in circulation problems and muscle…

Rich in nutrients, honey is required in the diet of all, especially in those who are suffering from stress and fatigue. It contains water, glucose, sucrose, potassium, iron, sodium, sulfur, chlorine, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, B vitamins, vitamins A, E, C and substances that act as natural antibiotics.

Honey helps to detoxify and aids digestion, without overloading the body and can be used in combination with fruits, milk, yoghurt, breads and biscuits. It is one of the best and most effective against the effects of flu and colds…

Benefits:

With Watercress Extract

It is decongestant, anti-inflammatory and diuretic. It also helps to cleanse the blood and improves circulation.

Eucalyptus

Has expectorant and bactericidal action in the airways, works for the treatment of cases of cough and bronchitis...

New Zealand Firm Markets Single-Flower Honey

The Honey Lover's Friend
By ROSEMARY NORTH, The Press (New Zealand), 8/27/2009

Jeremy Friend has a mission - to introduce New Zealanders to single-flower, single-vintage, organic honey.

Kiwis love honey. But most of the time we just scoop anonymous blends out of a huge tub to smear on toast. That's all going to change if Jeremy Friend has his way.

Soon, says the owner of New Zealand Artisan Honey, which is based in Christchurch, we'll be used to hunting down a beechwood honeydew, vintage 2009, from north Canterbury, as the perfect match for a dessert of mascarpone and figs.

It's Friend's mission to introduce New Zealanders to the delights of single-flower, single-vintage, organic honey. Each jar of honey, gently filtered and stirred (slowly, for five days) at his Worcester St workshop, boasts a label stating the specific floral varietal source, the vintage and where the bees lived. Honey lovers can look up more details on the company's website…

Thai Bee Pollen Soap Used to Treat Asthma

From Honey to Frangrant Soap
MCOT English News, 8/26/2009

Once flooded with a honey oversupply, local beekeepers in Thailand’s northern province of Phitsanulok have come up with innovative way to turn the amber nectar into new value-added consumer products to generate extra income…

The apiarists have succeeded in developing natural honey soap bars with a special formula using pure honey as a 30 per cent of the total soap substance. To make a different product, they add bee pollen and powdered turmeric so the soap becomes a skin moisturiser as well.

Liquid honey soap using a formula of 40 per cent honey was also created with a delicate texture and a pure honey aroma. This product alone triples the value of the sweet liquid, a value-added plus.

"Pure honey can be sold to a wholesale company at around 70 baht per kilo. So that means, you’ll be getting 70,000 baht from a tonne of honey. But If you bottle it and process it yourself, then your value-added goods, made out of a tonne of honey, will be worth around 200,000 baht.”

"A bottle of honey can produce up to around 200 honey soap bars. A solid soap bar is sold at 25 baht to wholesalers and 35 baht to retailers”, said Dao Ganget, chairperson of the Beekeepers at Baan Naam Ab Community Enterprise Group.

The honey farmers here are determined to keep developing their commodities. They believe there are still a lot of marketing channels out there for their goods, as bee products, namely honey, royal jelly, and bee pollen, have long been well-known and accepted for their medicinal, nutritional and moisturising properties.

Local residents are currently experimenting with bee pollen soap, as its main property is to help cure asthma…

Video: Manuka Honey From Your Own Beehive