Study Helps Explain Inhibition of MRSA by Manuka Honey

Effect of Manuka Honey on the Expression of Universal Stress Protein A in Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Int J Antimicrob Agents, 2011 Feb 22

Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen that can cause many problems, from impetigo to endocarditis. With its continued resistance to multiple antibiotics, S. aureus remains a serious health threat.

Honey has been used to eradicate meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains from wounds, but its mode of action is not yet understood.

Proteomics provides a potent group of techniques that can be used to analyse differences in protein expression between untreated bacterial cells and those treated with inhibitory concentrations of manuka honey.

In this study, two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis was combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to determine the identities of proteins whose levels of expression were changed at least two-fold following treatment with manuka honey.

Protein extracts were obtained from cells grown in tryptone soy broth (with or without manuka honey) by mechanical disruption and were separated on 2D polyacrylamide gels. A protein was isolated in gels prepared from untreated cell extract that was absent from gels made using honey-treated cell extract. Using MALDI-TOF MS, the protein was identified as universal stress protein A (UspA).

Downregulation of this protein was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which showed a 16-fold downregulation in honey-treated cells compared with untreated samples.

This protein is involved in the stress stamina response and its downregulation could help to explain the inhibition of MRSA by manuka honey.

Honey Has Antibacterial Activity Similar to Antibiotics

Antibacterial Efficacy of Raw and Processed Honey
Biotechnol Res Int, 2011:917505

In vitro antibacterial activity of methanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate extracts of raw and processed honey was tested against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Micrococcus luteus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi).

Both types of honey showed antibacterial activity against tested organisms with the zone of inhibition (ZOI) ranging from 6.94 to 37.94 mm, while E. coli, S. typhi, and P. aeruginosa showed that sensibility towards all the extracts with ZOI ranges between 13.09 to 37.94 mm.

The methanol extract showed more potent activity than other organic extracts. Gram-negative bacteria were found to be more susceptible as compared to Gram-positive bacteria except E. faecalis. The broth microdilution assay gave minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) value of 625 μg/mL, while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranges between 625 μg/mL 2500 μg/mL.

The study showed that honey has antibacterial activity (bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect), similar to antibiotics, against test organisms and provides alternative therapy against certain bacteria.

Report on First Hungarian Apitherapy Congress

Dr. János Körmendy-Rácz President of the Hungarian Apitherapy Society

Some 240 people attended the first Hungarian Apitherapy Congress in Budapest, the birth city of Dr. Bodog Beck. The congress was organized by the Hungarian Beekeeper's Organization and the Hungarian Apitherapy Society. Although there is a great tradition of apitherapy in Hungary, no conference has been held until today - concluded one of the speakers. Fifteen speakers showed the results of the current apitherapy research. The themes included all beehive products from honey, propolis, bee venom, pollen, to royal jelly.

Tibor Erdélyi spoke about the research results of over 50 year work of Professor Szalay, who was the author of multiple books on apitherapy. He was planning to give a lecture, but he died just before the conference.

Dr. Anna Mária Nagy spoke about the treatments using royal jelly. The specialist of diseases of internal organs has been treating autoimmune diseases with royal jelly for 10 years. Fifteen cases were presented.

Dr. Éva Szabó, assistant professor from the University of Debrecen treats wounds with honey. The presented three cases were in the area of difficult healing wounds, e.g. diabetic foot.

Live bee sting treatment on acupunctural points was shown by István Gillich and his colleague Zita Pataki.

Two theoretical lessons were given by experts of the field: István Gillich spoke about his experience of 14 years of treating multiple sclerosis with bee sting therapy.

Kálmán Debreceni spoke about his research results: steps to digest pollen over 90 percent. Royal Jelly was mentioned again.

Ingredients and storing conditions were the theme of Dr. Péter Sebők's presentation.

Dr. Ágnes Farkas, assistant professor from the University of Pécs raised a question: Which medical plant has connection to its honey? Detailed laboratory work was presented.

The Chief-Pharmacist Dr. Ágnes Soltész showed some results with her own ointments, pills, drops, sprays. The presented cases were from the area of wound healing.

Tamás Kutasi is a master beekeeper. He is dealing with the practice of producing apitherapy products.

Dr. János Körmendy-Rácz, the president of the Hungarian Apitherapy Society spoke about a case study: treating breast cancer with propolis suspension, APYS® bee venom ointment and royal jelly. The presented case is an 80-year-old woman with scheduled date to chemotherapy. She began the propolis and bee venom treatment, and fast changes were detected. After 15 months gentle treatment she is very well, almost all signs disappeared completely.

Ibolya Rudolf, cosmetician tutor, and Anikó Albert cosmetician observed the effects of APYS® bee venom ointment in facial skin care. They presented the pictures of female faces before and during the treatment. The treatment is still in progress, but the first two week's results are very promising.

For more information, contact Dr. János Körmendy-Rácz at email: krj@apiterapia.hu

Manuka Honeys Might Reduce Pathogens Within Dental Plaque

The in vitro Effect of Manuka Honeys on Growth and Adherence of Oral Bacteria
Anaerobe, Volume 17, Issue 1, February 2011, Pages 19-22

Honey has been used since ancient times and more recently, for the healing of wounds and against infectious diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of two manuka honeys showing different potencies of their antibacterial activity, on potentially pathogenic oral bacteria.

The antimicrobial activity was examined by determining the MIC and MBC using the macro dilution broth technique. The effect on the adherence was tested on growing cells of Streptococcus mutans on a glass surface and on a multi-species biofilm grown on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite discs.

As expected, the antibacterial activity of manuka (with higher potency of antibacterial activity) was the most important. The two tested honeys weakly inhibited the adherence of S.mutans cells to a glass surface at sub-MIC concentration.

Manuka showed a total inhibition of multi-species biofilm at the concentration of 200 μg/ml manuka inhibited biofilm formation weakly at the concentration of 200 μg/ml but firmly at the concentration of 500 μg/ml.

Our findings suggest that manuka honeys might be able to reduce oral pathogens within dental plaque. These two honeys appear to be able to control dental biofilm deposit.

Honey May Help Reduce Damage to Diabetic Kidneys

Comparison of Antioxidant Effects of Honey, Glibenclamide, Metformin, and Their Combinations in the Kidneys of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Int J Mol Sci, 2011 Jan 21;12(1):829-43

Hyperglycemia-induced increase in oxidative stress is implicated in diabetic complications.

This study investigated the effect of metformin and/or glibenclamide in combination with honey on antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress markers in the kidneys of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg; intraperitoneal)-induced diabetic rats.

Diabetic rats were randomized into eight groups of five to seven rats and received distilled water (0.5 mL); honey (1.0 g/kg); metformin (100 mg/kg); metformin (100 mg/kg) and honey (1.0 g/kg); glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg); glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg) and honey (1.0 g/kg); metformin (100 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg); or metformin (100 mg/kg), glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg) and honey (1.0 g/kg) orally once daily for four weeks.

Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly elevated while catalase (CAT) activity, total antioxidant status (TAS), reduced glutathione (GSH), and GSH:oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio was significantly reduced in the diabetic kidneys. CAT, glutathione reductase (GR), TAS, and GSH remained significantly reduced in the diabetic rats treated with metformin and/or glibenclamide.

In contrast, metformin or glibenclamide combined with honey significantly increased CAT, GR, TAS, and GSH.

These results suggest that combination of honey with metformin or glibenclamide might offer additional antioxidant effect to these drugs. This might reduce oxidative stress-mediated damage in diabetic kidneys.

Propolis Effective as Root Canal Disinfectant

Antibacterial Activity of Propolis versus Conventional Endodontic Disinfectants Against Enterococcus faecalis in Infected Dentinal Tubules
J Endod, 2011 Mar;37(3):376-81

Introduction: The antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis of 2 propolis samples was investigated in a dentin block model, and their effectiveness was compared with that of established endodontic disinfectants, chlorhexidine (CHX) and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)(2)].

Methods: Standardized dentin blocks were infected with E. faecalis ATCC 29212. The root canal space was filled with one of the ethanolic extracts of propolis (Artvin or Tekirdağ mix [TM]), CHX 2%, Ca(OH)(2), or ethanol or phosphate-buffered saline for control. Canal dentin was sampled after 1 or 7 days by using a standard-size bur. The dentinal shavings were vortexed vigorously in phosphate-buffered saline, and aliquots were cultured on tryptone soy agar plates. Colonies were counted after 2 days of incubation. Statistical significance was set to 5%.

Results: All experimental agents significantly reduced the number of the cultivable bacteria. CHX was the most potent disinfectant at both times. Compared with the ethanol control, no significant reduction in the number of colonies was found for the propolis extracts at day 1; however, significant reduction was found at day 7. The 2 propolis samples were statistically similar to each other and to Ca(OH)(2), but the TM sample was also similar to CHX at day 7. This has been linked to the greater concentration of flavonoids, a group of antibacterially active compounds, in the TM sample as determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis.

Conclusions: The antimicrobial activity of the propolis samples tested in this study was between Ca(OH)(2) and CHX. Both propolis samples were antimicrobially effective; however, their activity did not exceed CHX.

Killing Cancer Cells with Bee Venom

PBS, 2/17/2011

The sharp pain of a honeybee sting is caused in part by a peptide called melittin, which kills cells by piercing holes in their membranes. To turn this indiscriminate killer into a fine-tuned cancer drug, researchers have combined it with nanoparticles and cancer-targeting agents that allow the melittin to "sting" cancer cells without harming healthy cells. Though the treatment has not yet been tested on human patients, it has shown promise on mice. Researchers also hope to harness melittin's cell-killing power to knock out other diseases, including bacterial and fungal infections and arthritis.

Sidr Honey Helps Protect Liver from Damage by Toxins

Dietary Honey and Ginseng Protect Against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatonephrotoxicity in Rats
Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, Article in Press

Liver diseases are amongst the most serious health problems in the world today and hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the world's deadliest cancers.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the protective effect of sider honey and/or Korean ginseng extract (KGE) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepato-nephrotoxicity in rat.

Eighty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were allocated into different groups and over a 4-week period, they orally received honey and/or KGE or were treated either with CCl4 alone (100 mg/kg b.w) or with CCl4 after a pretreatment period with honey, KGE or a combination of both. Clinical, clinico-pathological and histopathological evaluations were done and CCl4-treated groups were compared with rats receiving no treatment and with rats given honey, KGE or a combination of these substances.

The results indicated that oral administration of CCl4 induced severe hepatic and kidney injury associated with oxidative stress. The combined treatment with CCl4 plus honey and/or KGE resulted in a significant improvement in all evaluated parameters. This improvement was prominent in the group receiving CCl4 after combined pretreatment with honey and KGE.

Animals receiving honey and/or KGE (without CCl4-treatment) were comparable to the control untreated group. It could be concluded that honey and KGE protect SD rats against the severe CCl4-induced hepatic and renal toxic effects.

Our results suggest that the protective activity of honey and KGE may have been related to their antioxidant properties.

Beeswax Component Has Anti-Inflammatory, Pain-Killing Effect

Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Effects of D-002 (Beeswax Alcohols)
J Nat Med, 2011 Jan 22

D-002, a mixture of six higher aliphatic alcohols purified from beeswax, displayed anti-inflammatory effects in carrageenan-induced pleurisy and cotton pellet granuloma in rats.

The aim of the present study was to confirm the anti-inflammatory properties of D-002 and to explore its potential analgesic effects…

This study confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of D-002 and demonstrated its analgesic effects on the acetic acid-induced writhing, but not on the hot plate response, which suggests that the antinociceptive effects of D-002 could be related to its anti-inflammatory activity.

Today in California: "Medicine from the Hive" - Fifth Annual Bee Symposium 2011

For Information, Go To: http://beekind.com/

"Bee Venom Therapy, Historical Perspective into Modern Applications"
(Dr. Frederique Keller)

"The Revolutionary Effects of Honey on Human Metabolism"
Dr. Ron Fessenden)

"Socialized Medicine in Honey Bee Colonies"
(Dr. Marla Spivak)

"Medicinal Use of Raw Honey, Pollen, Propolis, Royal Jelly, Bee Bread & Beeswax" (Dr. Frederique Keller)

"How to Sleep Your Way to Better Health with Honey"
(Dr. Ron Fessenden)

"Bee Health and Breeding"
(Dr. Marla Spivak)

Bee Pollen Hydrolysates Possess High Antiradical Scavenging Activity

Preparation of Antioxidant Enzymatic Hydrolysates from Honeybee-Collected Pollen Using Plant Enzymes
Enzyme Res, 2011 Jan 9;2010:415949

Enzymatic hydrolysates of honeybee-collected pollen were prepared using food-grade proteinase and aminopeptidases entirely of plant origin.

Bromelain from pineapple stem was applied (8 mAU/g substrate) in the first hydrolysis stage. Aminopeptidase (0.05 U/g substrate) and proline iminopeptidase (0.03 U/g substrate) from cabbage leaves (Brassica oleracea var. capitata), and aminopeptidase (0.2 U/g substrate) from chick-pea cotyledons (Cicer arietinum L.) were involved in the additional hydrolysis of the peptide mixtures.

The degree of hydrolysis (DH), total phenolic contents, and protein contents of these hydrolysates were as follows: DH (about 20-28%), total phenolics (15.3-27.2 μg/mg sample powder), and proteins (162.7-242.8 μg/mg sample powder), respectively.

The hydrolysates possessed high antiradical scavenging activity determined with DPPH (42-46% inhibition).

The prepared hydrolysates of bee-collected flower pollen may be regarded as effective natural and functional dietary food supplements due to their remarkable content of polyphenol substances and significant radical-scavenging capacity with special regard to their nutritional-physiological implications.

Recombinant Royal Jelly Peptide Exhibits High Antibacterial Activity

Facilitative Production of an Antimicrobial Peptide Royalisin and its Antibody Via an Artificial Oil-Body System
Biotechnol Prog, 2011 Jan;27(1):153-61

Royalisin found in the royal jelly of Apis mellifera is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP). It has a molecular weight of 5.5 kDa, which contains six cysteine residues.

In this study, royalisin was overexpressed in Escherichia coli AD494 (DE3) as two oleosin-fusion proteins for preparation of its antibodies and functional purification. The recombinant royalisin, fused with oleosin central hydrophobic domain in both N- and C-termini, was reconstituted with triacylglycerol and phospholipids to form artificial oil bodies (AOBs). The AOBs were then purified to raise the antibodies.

These antibodies could recognize both the native and recombinant royalisins, but not oleosin. Another oleosin-intein S-fusion protein was purified by AOBs system, and royalisin was subsequently released from the AOBs through self-splicing of the intein.

The recombinant royalisin exhibited high antibacterial activity, which suggested that it was refolded to its functional structure. These results demonstrated that AOBs system is an efficient method to functionally express and purify small AMPs. In addition, it also provides a facile platform for the production of antibodies against small peptides.

Propolis Paste Suitable for Root Canal Dressings

Removal Efficiency of Propolis Paste Dressing from the Root Canal
J Appl Oral Sci, 2010 Dec;18(6):621-4.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the cleaning of root canal walls after the use of experimental propolis or calcium hydroxide root canal dressings.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty single-rooted teeth were used. After conventional cleaning and shaping procedures and removal of the smear layer with 17% EDTA, the teeth were divided into four groups according to the medication used (N=5): Group I (control) - No drug, Group II - Calcium hydroxide dressing, Group III - Propolis paste A70D and Group IV - Propolis paste D70D. The medications were introduced into the root canals and maintained for 7 days, then removed with a K-file and 5 mL of 1% sodium hypochlorite irrigation. Finally, the canals were flushed with 2 mL of 17% EDTA for 3 min. For SEM analysis, the roots were cleaved and microphotographs from the middle third of the root canal were taken at 750x. The cleaning of the root canal walls was determined by the number of open dentinal tubules as verified with the software Image Tool 3.1. The statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and Tukey's test.

RESULTS: The results showed no statistically significant difference between the calcium hydroxide and propolis groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The experimental propolis pastes presented acceptable physical characteristics to be used as intracanal medicaments.

Lower Cost Food Honey as Effective as Medicinal Honey

Honey in Otorhinolaryngology: When, Why and How?
Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis, 2011 Feb 8

In this review of the literature devoted to the use of honey, the authors analyse the composition, indications, benefits and adverse effects of this product in otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery.

Published data indicate that honey applied topically to skin and mucosal wounds and/or burns and administered orally as antitussive medication (after the first year of life) is highly effective with no adverse effects.

The physiological action of honey is the result of various mechanisms (osmotic, detersion, bactericidal action). Various medicinal honeys are available worldwide, but only one has Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of wounds.

After the first year of life, the use of food honey appears to be as effective as medicinal honey, while decreasing the overall cost of treatment.

Apitherapy Conferences and General Assembly of the Francophone Apitherapy Association to be Held in Lyon May 17

One-day experience exchange that focuses on health benefits of bee hive products

Internationally-known experts on “Apitherapy", the therapeutic use of bee hive products, will offer four conferences in Lyon, France, on Saturday, May 17, as an overview of the health benefits provided by honey, propolis, bee-collected pollen, beeswax, drone larvae extract, bee venom and royal jelly.

On the same day it will be held the General Assembly of the Francophone Apitherapy Association.

More details in http://www.apitherapie-francophone.org/