Instant Coffee Herbhoney Shows High Antioxidant Activity

(1) H and (13) C NMR-based sugar profiling with chemometric analysis and antioxidant activity of herbhoneys and honeys

J Sci Food Agric, 2014 Jan 30;94(2):246-55

BACKGROUND:

Herbhoneys, relatively new bee products, are expected to have interesting medicinal properties. However, there is still a lack of data concerning their composition and antioxidant properties. (1) H and (13) C NMR spectroscopy coupled with chemometric analysis (PCA and PLS-DA) and antioxidant assays (DPPH-ESR and ORAC-FL) were used to study 25 samples of Polish herbhoneys and honeys.

RESULTS:

Antioxidant activity varied among the samples. The best properties were exhibited by cocoa and instant coffee herbhoneys. The contents of total polyphenols and total carotenoids in the studied samples were found to be 70-1340 mg GAE kg(-1) and 0-28.05 mg kg(-1) respectively. No significant differences between herbhoney and honey samples were found in their sugar profiles. The PCA of (13) C NMR spectra of the samples in DMSO-d6 resulted in sample clustering due to sucrose content.

CONCLUSION:

Herbhoneys have similar antioxidant properties to traditional honeys, being therefore of equal nutritional value. There was a noticeable influence of the extract concentration on the observed antioxidant effect. For samples with high antioxidant activity, polyphenols were responsible for the observed effect. Sample clustering due to sucrose content in the NMR-PCA study allowed effortless detection of adulteration. 

Propolis May Help Treat Psoriasis

Inhibitory effect of a propolis on Di-n-Propyl Disulfide or n-Hexyl salicilate-induced skin irritation, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in mice

Fitoterapia, 2013 Dec 23. pii: S0367-326X(13)00316-X

PURPOSE:

Thermal imaging has been utilized, both preclinically and clinically, as a tool for assessing inflammation. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by hyperkeratosis, dermal inflammatory infiltrate and increased angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to assess usefulness of thermography in psoriatic lesion regression after topically treatment with bee propolis, recognized as potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.

METHODS:

We monitored the inflammation process induced by irritants such as n-Hexyl salicilate (HXS) or Di-n-Propyl Disulfide (PPD by hystopatological assement of skin, thermographic scanning, total number of inflammatory cells in peritoneal cavity, differential analysis of cells in peritoneal cavity, macrophage spreading index, haematological and biochemical parameters, frequencies of micronucleated reticulocytes, lipid peroxidation and glutathione assay in skin.

RESULTS:

Topically applied ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) with HXS or PPD reduced the lipid peroxidation in skin and total number of inflammatory cells in skin and peritoneal cavity, functional activity of macrophages, the number of micronuclei in mouse peripheral blood reticulocytes and enzymatic activity of ALP and AST.

CONCLUSION:

These results demonstrate that topical application of EEP may improve psoriatic-like skin lesions by suppressing functional activity of macrophages and ROS production. Taken together, it is suggested that EEP can safely be utilized in the prevention of psoriasis-related inflammatory changes without causing any toxic effect.

‘Mad Honey’ May Help Treat Painful Diabetic Neuropathy

Analgesic effects of mad honey (grayanotoxin) in mice models of acute pain and painful diabetic neuropathy

Hum Exp Toxicol, February 2014  vol. 33  no. 2  130-135

Objectives: The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effects of mad honey (grayanotoxin, GTX), used in complementary medicine for a variety of purposes besides being food, on pain thresholds in normal mice as model for acute pain and diabetic mouse as model for neuropathic pain.

Methods: Hind paw withdrawal pain threshold to thermal stimulus was measured with a plantar analgesia meter in a mice model using healthy intact animals for acute pain and streptozotocin-induced diabetic animals for chronic neuropathic pain. Time and dose-dependent effects of intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered GTX were investigated in both acute and neuropathic pain.

Results: In the acute pain model, administration of GTX caused a dose- and time-dependent marked increase in the pain latency values. In diabetic mice, which had markedly increased threshold to pain, GTX (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) restored the mean pain latencies by decreasing from the pre-GTX treatment values of 3.2 ± 0.6 to 3.0 ± 0.9s at 10 min, 3.2 ± 0.6s at 20 min, 3.4 ± 0.6s at 30 min, 2.6 ± 0.5s at 60 min and 2.4 ± 0.6s (p < 0.05) at 100 min.

Conclusion: The results from this experimental study indicate that GTX exhibits significant analgesic activity and has potential benefits against painful diabetic neuropathy. This is compatible with the widespread use of GTX containing mad honey for alleviating pain. Further studies involving long-term applications are needed for a more decisive conclusion regarding the usefulness of GTX as an analgesic, especially in the treatment of painful neuropathy.

Propolis May Help Treat Inflammation of the Gums

Leptomeningeal Cells Transduce Peripheral Macrophages Inflammatory Signal to Microglia in Reponse to Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS

Mediators Inflamm, 2013;2013:407562

We report here that the leptomeningeal cells transduce inflammatory signals from peripheral macrophages to brain-resident microglia in response to Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.) LPS. The expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), TLR4, TNF- α , and inducible NO synthase was mainly detected in the gingival macrophages of chronic periodontitis patients. In in vitro studies, P.g. LPS induced the secretion of TNF- α and IL-1 β from THP-1 human monocyte-like cell line and RAW264.7 mouse macrophages. Surprisingly, the mean mRNA levels of TNF- α and IL-1 β in leptomeningeal cells after treatment with the conditioned medium from P.g. LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages were significantly higher than those after treatment with P.g. LPS alone. Furthermore, the mean mRNA levels of TNF- α and IL-1 β in microglia after treatment with the conditioned medium from P.g. LPS-stimulated leptomeningeal cells were significantly higher than those after P.g. LPS alone. These observations suggest that leptomeninges serve as an important route for transducing inflammatory signals from macrophages to microglia by secretion of proinflammatory mediators during chronic periodontitis. Moreover, propolis significantly reduced the P.g. LPS-induced TNF- α and IL-1 β production by leptomeningeal cells through inhibiting the nuclear factor- κ B signaling pathway. Together with the inhibitory effect on microglial activation, propolis may be beneficial in preventing neuroinflammation during chronic periodontitis.

Acacia Honey May Help Block Carcinogens

Ameliorative Effects of Acacia Honey against Sodium Arsenite-Induced Oxidative Stress in Some Viscera of Male Wistar Albino Rats

Biochem Res Int, 2013;2013:502438

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and its development is frequently associated with oxidative stress-induced by carcinogens such as arsenicals. Most foods are basically health-promoting or disease-preventing and a typical example of such type is honey. This study was undertaken to investigate the ameliorative effects of Acacia honey on sodium arsenite-induced oxidative stress in the heart, lung and kidney tissues of male Wistar rats. 

Male Wistar albino rats divided into four groups of five rats each were administered distilled water, Acacia honey (20%), sodium arsenite (5 mg/kg body weight), Acacia honey, and sodium arsenite daily for one week. They were sacrificed anesthetically using 60 mg/kg sodium pentothal. The tissues were used for the assessment of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities, protein content and lipid peroxidation. Sodium arsenite significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed the glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase activities with simultaneous induction of lipid peroxidation. Administration of Acacia honey significantly increased (P < 0.05) glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities with concomitant suppression of lipid peroxidation as evident by the decrease in malondialdehyde level. 

From the results obtained, Acacia honey mitigates sodium arsenite induced-oxidative stress in male Wistar albino rats, which suggest that it may attenuate oxidative stress implicated in chemical carcinogenesis.

Why Raw Honey is Good for You

The medicinal properties of honey are as exciting as its breadth of flavour

Joanna Blythman and Rosie Sykes

The Guardian, Friday 20 December 2013

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/dec/23/why-raw-honey-is-good-for-you

Why is honey good for me?

…Raw, cold extracted honey hasn't been heat-treated and "purified", so still contains its full complement of enzymes and antioxidants, and has antibacterial properties. Manuka honey is most effective in killing antibiotic-resistant infections, such as MRSA.

Manuka is the only honey so far that is widely acknowledged to have proven medicinal effects, but earlier this year a study at the University of Glasgow's School of Veterinary Medicine found that heather honey also killed MRSA microbes and three other strains of pathogenic bacteria.

Raw honey is increasingly used to treat hard-to-heal wounds. Several studies support the traditional use of honey as a cough soother. But like all sugars, honey should only be eaten in small amounts, which isn't that hard, because its natural intensity makes it tough to overdo anyway…

Biological Activities of Commercial Bee Pollens

Antimicrobial, antimutagenic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

Food Chem Toxicol, 2014 Jan;63:233-9

Bee pollen is considered, since memorable times, a good source of nourishing substances and energy. The present study aimed to evaluate the biological activities of eight commercial bee pollens purchased from the market. The origin of sample A was not specified in the labeling; samples B, C, D and G were from Portugal and the remaining were from Spain.

The sample E presented the highest value of phenolics (32.15±2.12mg/g) and the H the lowest (18.55±095mg/g). Sample C had the highest value of flavonoids (10.14±1.57mg/g) and sample H the lowest (3.92±0.68mg/g). All the samples exhibited antimicrobial activity, being Staphylococcus aureus the most sensitive and Candida glabrata the most resistant of the microorganisms studied. All the samples exhibited antimutagenic activity, even though some samples were more effective in decreasing the number of gene conversion colonies and mutant colonies. Regarding the antioxidant activity, assessed using two methods, the more effective was sample B.

The anti-inflammatory activity, assessed using the hyaluronidase enzyme, was highest in samples B and D. Pearson's correlation coefficients between polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity were computed. It was also performed a discriminant analysis.

Low Concentrations of Honey Appear Non-Toxic to Inner Ear

Safety of transtympanic application of 4 % manuka honey in a chinchilla animal model

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol, 2013 Dec 14

The antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties of manuka honey (MH) are currently being explored in the treatment of chronic recalcitrant rhinosinusitis. Due to similarities between chronic rhinosinusitis and chronic otitis, manuka honey may find applications in the management of challenging cases of chronic otitis media implicating biofilms. The goal of this study was to investigate the safety of topical application of 4 % MH in the middle ear. Eleven adult female chinchillas had one of their ears randomly assigned to receive transtympanic 4 % MH, while the contralateral ear served as control. Auditory brainstem-evoked response (ABR) was performed before and after MH application. The facial nerve function and vestibular system were assessed clinically. The animals were euthanized one month following the last application, and the cochleae samples were processed for light and scanning electron microscopy. There was no statistically significant differences between ABR thresholds in both control and experimental ears before and after the application of MH. No morphological differences were seen in both groups of cochleae. The outer hair cell counts for both groups were comparable. Our results suggest that 4 % MH appears not toxic to the cells of the cochlea after 4 weeks of application. The long-term effects of prolonged contact on the structure and function of the cochlea however need further investigations.

ALSO SEE: High Concentrations of Honey May Cause Inner Ear Damage

Honey in Medicine (German)

Honig in der Medizin

Dtsch med Wochenschr 2013; 138(51/52): 2647-2652

Die geschichtliche Verwendung des Honigs als Heilmittel

Die Verwendung von Honig geht in prähistorische Zeiten zurück. Die steinzeitlichen Höhlenmalereien von La Aranas gelten als das älteste Dokument zur Geschichte des Honigs und werden auf eine Zeit um etwa 7000 v.  Chr. datiert [14]. Sie belegen, dass Honig offenbar schon immer ein begehrtes Produkt war. Australische Pteroglyphen dokumentieren, dass auch die Aborigines bereits in vorgeschichtlicher Zeit den Honig von stachellosen Bienen sammelten.

In früheren Zivilisationen wurde Honig als Substanz mit magisch religiösem Charakter oder gar als Medizin angesehen [19]. Im Irak wurden Honigrezepte für Salben und Heilmittel auf Tontafeln entdeckt. Sie werden der Zeit der Sumerer um etwa 2100 v. Chr. zugeordnet und sind bis heute die ersten bekannten Schriften über Honig. Im RIG-Veda, der ältesten aller geheiligten Schriften Indiens, die auf eine Zeit zwischen 3000–2000 v. Chr. datiert wird, finden sich viele Hinweise auf Bienen und Honig. Zu dieser Zeit wurde Honig vorwiegend in Verbindung mit Feierlichkeiten und als Medizin eingesetzt. Schon etwa 1400 v. Chr. kannte man in Indien acht Honigsorten die von verschiedenen Insekten produziert und denen verschiedene medizinische Wirkungen zugesprochen wurden. Einige Honigsorten wirkten kühlend, andere wurden gegen Erkältung und Asthma, andere gegen Hautkrankheiten eingesetzt [19].

Eine therapeutische Verwendung von Honig wird um 1800 v. Chr. auch im Babylonischen Gesetzbuch, dem „Code of Hammurabi“ beschrieben. Im Talmud, dem großen Jüdischen Thesaurus um Null bis etwa 600 n. Chr. finden sich zahlreiche Hinweise für die medizinische Wirkung von Honig, wobei Honig im Gegensatz zu Wasser, Wein und Milch nicht als unrein bezeichnet wurde. Auch die Griechen kannten die medizinischen Wirkungen von Honig. Hippokrates (460–377 v.  Chr.), der berühmteste Arzt der Antike und noch heute hochgeschätzte „Vater der Medizin“ benutzte Honig und Propolis als „liebste Medizin“. Der Prophet Mohammed (571–632 n.  Chr.) sagt im Koran: „Honig ist ein Heilmittel für alle körperlichen Krankheiten, der Koran ist ein Heilmittel für alle Krankheiten des Geistes, deshalb empfehle ich euch beide Heilmittel, den Koran und den Honig“.

Auch im Burenkrieg und während der beiden Weltkriege wurde Honig zur Wundbehandlung und zur Vorbeugung gegen Wundinfektionen verwendet. Ein weit verbreiteter Einsatz von Honig und anderen Bienenprodukten zu medizinisch-therapeutischen Zwecken erfolgt noch heute in vielen Ländern der Dritten Welt. Honige von Melipona- und Trigona-Arten werden noch in vielen afrikanischen Ländern und bei Indiostämmen im Amazonasgebiet als Therapeutikum eingesetzt. Als altes Hausmittel gegen Erkältung und Husten genießt Honig in Tee oder Milch während der Wintermonate auch in vielen europäischen Ländern eine lange Tradition. In den „modernen“ Industrieländern werden Naturstoffe in der medizinischen Therapie jedoch oft abgelehnt, mit der Begründung, dass deren chemische Zusammensetzung variiert und somit nicht exakt definiert werden kann.

Bee Venom Facials

Fashion Central, 12/11/2013

We all might like to have perfect, glowing, young and healthy skin like movie stars and celebrities on glossy magazines covers. But the question rises how can we fulfil our desire?

For perfect skin everyone adopts different tips. Some choose natural tips and use herbs for skin treatment and some use different moisturising cream, masks and facials. For glowing and healthy skin some go to beauty clinics or saloon and consult with experts and some like to use domestic treatments at home.

Well, the good news is that this is now in our range and access. The new buzz which is introduced in beauty industry is called “bee venom facials.” Facials protect your skin from seasonal and environmental changes. When we travel, smoke and dirt leave bad effects on our skin, which show in the shape of dark circles, wrinkles, black or white heads and freckles. These all elements damage your skin and beauty, and you look old among your friends. Facial gives you healthy and young skin. It’s also known as apitherapy and anti-aging.

Bee venom facials are no so common. It was introduced in duchees and top models and actress of Hollywood. But its result is very fantastic. Kate Middleton, new the duchees of Cambridge has used bee venom facial before wedding to Prince William in 2011…

Why I eat BEE GLUE every day!

Empowered Sustenance, 12/18/2013

Yep, along with my daily dose of my ancient cold-preventer and my healthy dirt bugs, I take a helping of bee glue, a.k.a propolis.

What is propolis?

Along with the other fruits of their labor, including honey and royal jelly, bees create propolis from the resin of trees. After gathering the resin, bees transform it into a very sticky and antimicrobial mixture that they use to patch up their hive.

Due to its antimicrobial properties, it also disinfects the hive and prevents outbreaks of viruses and bacteria. Bees even use propolis to immobilize intruders (source). So basically, propolis is bee duct tape!

Bees living in hollow trees will coat the inside of the cavity thickly with propolis.  After an experiment, researchers at The University of Minnesota found that bees housed in a nest box coated with propolis had lower bacterial loads in their body and also ‘quieter’ immune systems compared to the colonies with no propolis coating.

So, although bees never eat propolis, this unique substance plays a key role in their immune system. Through the same properties, propolis can boost our immune system and overall wellness. 

Why I take propolis

General immune system support – Propolis supports the immune system in various ways. First, the antimicrobial properties suppress harmful bacteria and infections. Further, it actually stimulates the immune system and raises the body’s natural resistance (source).

I diligently take my dose of propolis during cold and flu season. I can’t, however, credit any one part of my diet or supplement regime for keeping me healthy (not a single cold this year! *knocks on wood*). I do take a double dose of propolis if I wake up and feel something coming on, and I will feel better the next day…

Bee Venom May Help Correct Imbalance of Female Sex Hormones

Effect of bee venom on IL-6, COX-2 and VEGF levels in polycystic ovarian syndrome induced in Wistar rats by estradiol valerate

Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including TropicalDiseases, 2013, 19:32

Background

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a low-grade inflammatory disease characterized by hyperandrogenemia, hirsutism, chronic anovulation and vascular disorder. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are triggered by inflammatory stimuli and lead to angiogenesis and pathogenesis of the ovary. Honeybee venom (HBV) contains an array of biologically active components possessing various pharmaceutical properties. This study was designed to assess the possibility of HBV application as an anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent to suppress levels of the main inflammatory mediators IL-6, COX-2 and VEGF.

To induce PCOS, 1 mg of estradiol valerate (EV) per 100 g of body weight was subcutaneously (SC) injected into eight-week-old rats. After 60 days, 0.5 mg/kg of HBV was administered Intraperitoneal (IP) for 14 consecutive days, and the results of PCOS treatment were investigated. Rats were then anesthetized with CO2, and the ovaries were surgically removed. Serum IL-6 was detected by the ELISA kit. Immunoexpression of COX-2 and VEGF were examined in three groups: EV-induced PCOS, HBV-treated PCOS and control animals.

Results

Thickness of theca layer, number and diameter of cysts and levels of IL-6 significantly decreased in HBV group relative to PCOS group. The immunohistochemical analysis showed an increase in COX-2 and VEGF expression in PCOS group whereas HBV-treated rats presented weak and irregular immunostaining.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the beneficial effect of HBV may be mediated through its inhibitory effect on serum IL-6 level and ovarian COX-2 and VEGF expression.

Organogel Boosts Delivery, Antimicrobial Action of Propolis

Propolis organogel as a novel topical delivery system for treating wounds

Drug Deliv, 2013 Dec 3

Context: Propolis has traditionally been used in curing infections and healing wounds and burns. Objective: The aim of this study is to formulate pluronic lecithin organogel of propolis to improve its availability and antimicrobial activity.

Materials and methods: Different organogels were prepared by using soybean lecithin, isopropyl palmitate, pluronic F127 and water. The effect of quantity of lecithin and pluronic F127 and percentage of oil phase was investigated. The organogels were evaluated for appearance, texture, pH, drug content and viscosity. In vitro release studies were carried out using cellophane membrane. Drug permeation through abdominal rat skin from organogels that showed high % drug release was compared to that from propolis suspension in distilled water. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of the selected propolis formulation against different bacterial isolates was compared with that of propolis suspension in water. 

Results and discussion: Results showed that all organogel formulations except the formula containing 10% pluronic F127, showed acceptable physical properties. Drug content of organogel formulations was in the range of 97.5-100.2%. The pH of the formulations was in the range of 5.5-6.3 that suits the skin pH, indicating skin compatibility. The viscosity was in the range of 5366-8984 cp. A significant decrease in drug release from formulations was observed with increase in concentration of lecithin and pluronic F127. Decreasing oil phase percentage to 20% w/w led to a decrease in drug release from the formulation.

Conclusion: The formula containing 3% lecithin and 20% pluronic F127 exhibited superior skin permeation and antimicrobial activity over propolis suspension in water.

Propolis Boosts Sciatic Nerve Healing

An Experimental Comparison of the Effects of Propolis,Curcumin, and Methylprednisolone on Crush Injuries of the Sciatic Nerve

BACKGROUND:

Propolis and curcumin have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective features. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of propolis and curcumin on nerve healing in rat sciatic nerve crush injuries and to compare these effects with results obtained using steroid treatment.

METHODS:

In the sham group, the right sciatic nerves of rats were dissected and exposed, and the skin was closed without any additional manipulation. In the control group (group C), after the right sciatic nerves of rats were exposed, crush damage was inflicted using a surgical clamp. In the control-methylprednisolone group, crush injuries were inflicted on sciatic nerves as in group C. After injury, 1-mg/kg methylprednisolone was administered daily for 6 days and was then tapered for 4 days. In the curcumin group, crush injuries were inflicted on sciatic nerves as in group C. Then, 100-mg/kg curcumin was given every day. In the propolis group, crush injuries were inflicted on sciatic nerves as in group C. Then, 200-mg/kg propolis was given every day. Rats were evaluated after 28 days using functional (walking track analysis and electrophysiological measurements), histomorphometric, electron microscopic, and muscle weight measurements.

RESULTS:

Compared to the control groups, the curcumin and propolis groups had better functional (walking track analysis and electrophysiological) results after experimental peripheral nerve crush injury.

CONCLUSIONS:

Curcumin and propolis, 2 traditional drugs, had a positive effect on nerve crush injuries. We are convinced that they can be used to support routine treatment in such nerve injuries.

Royal Jelly May Help Prevent Muscle Loss with Aging

Royal jelly prevents the progression of sarcopenia in aged mice in vivo and in vitro

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2013 Dec;68(12):1482-92

Sarcopenia is characterized by the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. One of the mechanisms of sarcopenia is the loss in the function and number of muscle satellite cells. Royal jelly (RJ) is a health food used worldwide. To obtain better digestion and absorption than RJ, protease-treated RJ (pRJ) has been developed. RJ and pRJ have been suggested to have potential pharmacological benefits such as prolonging the life span and reducing fatigue. Because these effects may improve sarcopenia and the functions of satellite cells, we examined the effects of RJ or pRJ treatment on the skeletal muscles in an animal model using aged mice. In vivo, RJ/pRJ treatment attenuated the decrease in the muscle weight and grip strength and increased the regenerating capacity of injured muscles and the serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels compared with controls. In vitro, using isolated satellite cells from aged mice, pRJ treatment increased the cell proliferation rate, promoted cell differentiation, and activated Akt intracellular signaling pathway compared with controls. These findings suggest that RJ/pRJ treatment had a beneficial effect on age-related sarcopenia.