Gwyneth Paltrow Underwent Bee Sting Therapy

Star Pulse, 1/30/2014

Gwyneth Paltrow has taken her passion for unusual beauty treatments to a new level by undergoing a bizarre therapy involving bee stings.

The Iron Man star has revealed she used "bee venom therapy" to treat an injury, which involved being stung by a live insect, but Paltrow is convinced the odd procedure worked as her problem subsequently healed up…

Bee Venom Therapy for Arthritis

Can a Bee Sting Help Arthritis?

Healthline, 1/27/2014

If you have arthritis, you’re most likely using standard treatment methods to ease joint pain and stiffness. These may include traditional medicine and lifestyle changes.

But some research suggests that a surprising alternative treatment may help treat arthritis: bee venom.

Bee’s Propolis Found to Combat Aluminum Toxicity and Much More

Prepper Podcast Radio Network, 1/26/2014

In an earlier Natural Society article I covered aluminum toxicity antidotes that are necessary in our toxic environment. It’s often argued that aluminum is ubiquitous within the earth’s composition, but it has been pointed out by UK scientist Chris Exley, Ph.D that there is little threat as long as aluminum remains there. But it is obvious that aluminum exposure has become an issue; luckily there are some solutions for handling this kind of exposure…

French Propolis Extracts May Help Treat Alzheimer's Disease, Diabetes and Atherosclerosis

Chemical composition, antioxidant and anti-AGEs activities of a French poplar type propolis

J Agric Food Chem, 2014 Jan 20

Accumulation in tissues and serum of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) plays an important role in pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease or, in the event of complications of diabetes, atherosclerosis or renal failure. Therefore there is a potential therapeutic interest in compounds able to lower intra and extracellular levels of AGEs. Among them, natural antioxidants (AO) with true anti-AGEs capabilities would represent good candidates for development.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the AO and anti-AGEs potential of a propolis batch, then to identify the main compounds responsible for these effects. In vivo, protein glycation and oxidative stress are closely related. Thus AO and antiglycation activities were respectively evaluated using both DPPH and ORAC assays as well as a newly developed automated anti-AGEs test.

Several propolis extracts exhibited very good AO and anti-AGEs activities and a bio-guided fractionation allowed us to identify pinobanksin-3-acetate as the most active component.

Royal Jelly Protects Against Liver Damage

Royal jelly attenuates azathioprine induced toxicity in rats

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol, 2013 Dec 31;37(1):431-437

In the present study, we investigated the potential protective effects of royal jelly against azathioprine-induced toxicity in rat. Intraperitoneal administration of azathioprine (50mg/kgB.W.) induced a significant decrease in RBCs count, Hb concentration, PCV%, WBCs count, differential count and platelet count, hepatic antioxidant enzymes (reduced glutathione and glutathione s-transferase) and increase of serum transaminases (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzymes) activities, alkaline phosphatase and malondialdehyde formation. Azathioprine induced hepatotoxicity was reflected by marked pathological changes in the liver.

Oral administration of royal jelly (200mg/kgB.W.) was efficient in counteracting azathioprine toxicity whereas it altered the anemic condition, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia induced by azathioprine. Furthermore, royal jelly exerted significant protection against liver damage induced by azathioprine through reduction of the elevated activities of serum hepatic enzymes. Moreover, royal jelly blocked azathioprine-induced lipid peroxidation through decreasing the malondialdehyde formation. In conclusion, royal jelly possesses a capability to attenuate azathioprine-induced toxicity.

Propolis Component May Help Stem Cell Research

CAPE promotes the expansion of human umbilical cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in vitro

Sci China Life Sci, 2014 Jan 22

Due to the low number of collectable stem cells from single umbilical cord blood (UCB) unit, their initial uses were limited to pediatric therapies. Clinical applications of UCB hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) would become feasible if there were a culture method that can effectively expand HSPCs while maintaining their self-renewal capacity. In recent years, numerous attempts have been made to expand human UCB HSPCs in vitro.

In this study, we report that caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a small molecule from honeybee extract, can promote in vitro expansion of HSPCs. Treatment with CAPE increased the percentage of HSPCs in cultured mononuclear cells. Importantly, culture of CD34+ HSPCs with CAPE resulted in a significant increase in total colony-forming units and high proliferative potential colony-forming units. Burst-forming unit-erythroid was the mostly affected colony type, which increased more than 3.7-fold in 1 μg mL-1 CAPE treatment group when compared to the controls. CAPE appears to induce HSPC expansion by upregulating the expression of SCF and HIF1-α.

Our data suggest that CAPE may become a potent medium supplement for in vitro HSPC expansion.

Honey Dressing Provides Better Wound Healing, Pain Relief for Cancer Patients’ Bedsores

The role of honey in healing of bedsores in cancer patients

South Asian J Cancer, 2012 Oct;1(2):66-71

BACKGROUND:

Honey was used to treat infected wounds as long as 2000 years before bacteria were discovered. It has been reported to have inhibitory action to around 50 species of bacteria and fungi (aspergillus, penicillium). Usually, Metronidazole powder is used in our palliative clinic for wound healing due to low cost & effectivity. Honey is cheap, easily available ingredient with high astringent activity.

OBJECTIVE:

Objectives of the study were to find out the effectiveness of Honey in terms of rate of wound healing & pain control in bedsores of cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

40 cancer patients with bedsore wounds were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio i.e. 20 in each arm) for Study Arm (Honey plus Metronidazole powder) and Control Arm (only Metronidazole powder), attending Palliative clinic of our department in between July 2010 to September 2011.Washing of the wound with normal saline done daily before application of above medicaments. Change of posture & soft bed were encouraged in both groups. A pre designed interview proforma, standardised Bates Jensen Wound Assessment Tool and Visual Analogue Pain assessment scale were used to collect and assess data.

RESULTS:

There was significant difference in wound healing status (F value = 6.523; Critical Difference =14.03, P > 0.05) from day 10 and pain reduction also (F value = 6.638 and Critical Difference = 1.667, P > 0.05) from day 7 in study arm.

CONCLUSION:

Application of honey dressing provides a better wound healing, rapid pain relief in cancer patients with bedsores in palliative settings.

Manuka Honey Authentication Project in Works

Radio New Zealand, 1/22/2014

An organisation representing most of the country's manuka honey producers says it's got the backing of a major overseas customer for a project authenticating the highly-prized honey.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has begun working on a new guideline for New Zealand's most valuable honey, after concerns were raised in some overseas markets about false claims and labelling for manuka, which commands top prices for its anti-bacterial and healing qualities.

Meanwhile, the Unique Manuka Factor or Honey Association is collecting samples from around the country to establish a chemical profile of manuka.

It will fingerprint manuka and other types of honey to use as a reference point in honey testing…

Propolis is Cryoprotective Agent in Fish Semen

Protective effects of propolis on cryopreservation of common carp (Cyprinuscarpio) sperm

Cryobiology

Available online 16 January 2014

Cryopreservation of sperm is common procedures in aquaculture, particularly used for routine inartificial insemination. However, these application cause damages and adversely affected spermmotility, viability and consequently lower hatching rates. The objective of this study is to determine whether propolis has an effect on cryopreservation and fertilization ability and to investigate the potential protective effect of propolis on spermatozoa of Cyprinus Carpio. Many studies have been done in cryopreservation offish spermatozoa, but none of them contain propolis in extender composition. The extenders were prepared by using modified Kurokura Solution to which 10% Me2SO added with different levels of propolis (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1 mg ml-1) and 10% egg yolk (as a control without propolis). The pooled semen samples diluted at the ratio of 1:9 by the extenders were subjected to cryopreservation. The percentage and duration of motility and fertlization tests of cryopreserved sperm samples have been done immediately after thawing and compared with control and fresh semen.

The extenders containing propolis exhibited higher percentage motility andmotility duration than control group (P < 0.05). Especially the group IV (0.8 mg ml-1 propolis) and the group V (1 mg ml-1 propolis) showed significant positive effects on both post thaw motility and hatching ability. The propolis maintained the integrity of the spermatozoa during the cryopreservation process. Evaluating with its contents, it has been shown that propolis is an appropriate cryoprotective agent in fish semen.

Propolis Extends Survival, Enhances Antitumor Activity

Addition of Propolis to Irinotecan Therapy Prolongs Survival in Ehrlich Ascites Tumor-Bearing Mice

Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals

Online Ahead of Print: January 2, 2014

We investigated possible synergistic action of anticancer drug Irinotecan (IRI) combined with ethanolic (EEP) and water-soluble (WSDP) derivate of propolis on Swiss albino mice injected with Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT). For survival analysis mice were administered WSDP and EEP (100 mg/kg) daily for 3 consecutive days, beginning on 3rd day after EAT cell (1×106) injection. IRI was administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg on days 1, 13, and 19. We simultaneously studied peripheral white blood cell count, cell types washed from the peritoneal cavity, functional activity of macrophages from peritoneal cavity, and the level of primary DNA damage in leukocytes, kidney, and liver cells using the alkaline comet assay. Three out of 9 mice per group survived the entire duration of the experiment (90 days) in groups treated with IRI combined with WSDP and EEP. All test components increased survival of mice by 7.53% to 231.54%. Combined treatment with IRI and/or WSDP and EEP significantly decreased percentage of tumor cells in the peritoneal cavity as compared to nontreated EAT-injected mice. All treated animals had significantly higher percentage of neutrophils in the peritoneal cavity in comparison to nontreated EAT-injected mice. We observed significantly higher value of DNA damage in leukocytes of mice treated with IRI and combination of IRI and/or WSDP and EEP as compared to nontreated EAT-injected mice, while the same treatment decreased DNA damage in kidney.

Our results showed that addition of propolis to IRI treatment enhanced antitumor activity of IRI and prolongs survival in EAT-bearing mice, which definitely deserve further studies to clarify the possible mechanisms of antitumor actions of combined herb–drug treatments.

Brazilian Green Propolis May Help Treat Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and UV Skin Damage

The Effects of Brazilian Green Propolis against Excessive Light-Induced Cell Damage in Retina and Fibroblast Cells

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:238279

We investigated the effects of Brazilian green propolis and its constituents against white light- or UVA-induced cell damage in mouse retinal cone-cell line 661W or human skin-derived fibroblast cells (NB1-RGB).

Methods. Cell damage was induced by 3,000lx white light for 24 h or 4/10 J/cm(2) UVA exposure. Cell viability was assessed by Hoechst33342 and propidium iodide staining or by tetrazolium salt (WST-8) cell viability assay. The radical scavenging activity of propolis induced by UVA irradiation in NB1-RGB cells was measured using a reactive-oxygen-species- (ROS-) sensitive probe CM-H2DCFDA. Moreover, the effects of propolis on the UVA-induced activation of p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were examined by immunoblotting.

Results. Treatment with propolis and two dicaffeoylquinic acids significantly inhibited the decrease in cell viability induced by white light in 661W. Propolis and its constituents inhibited the decrease in cell viability induced by UVA in NB1-RGB. Moreover, propolis suppressed the intracellular ROS production by UVA irradiation. Propolis also inhibited the levels of phosphorylated-p38 and ERK by UVA irradiation.

Conclusion. Brazilian green propolis may become a major therapeutic candidate for the treatment of AMD and skin damage induced by UV irradiation.

Methylglyoxal Suppresses Hydrogen Peroxide Accumulation in Honey

Methylglyoxal May Affect Hydrogen Peroxide Accumulation in Manuka Honey Through the Inhibition of Glucose Oxidase

Journal of Medicinal Food

Although hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is one of the major antibacterial factors in most honeys, it does not accumulate in medical-grade manuka honey. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of artificially added methylglyoxal (MGO) on H2O2 accumulation in natural non-manuka honeys. H2O2 concentrations in the honey solutions were determined using a fluorimetric assay. Two, the most potent H2O2 producers honeydew honeys were mixed with MGO at final concentrations of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg, and incubated for 4 days at 37°C. Subsequently, H2O2 concentrations were determined in 50% (wt/vol) MGO supplemented honey solutions. In vitro crosslinking of the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOX) after incubation with MGO was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Tested honeys at a concentration of 50% (wt/vol) accumulated up to 495.8±9.1 μM H2O2 in 24 h. The most potent producers were the two honeydew honeys, whose 50% solutions accumulated 306.9±6.8 and 495.8±9.1 μM H2O2, respectively. Levels of H2O2 increased significantly over time in both honey solutions. Contrary to this, the MGO-treated honeys generated significantly lower amounts of H2O2 (P<.001), and this reduction was dose dependent. In addition, MGO-treated GOX formed high molecular weight adducts with increasing time of incubation accompanied by loss of its enzymatic activity. High levels of MGO in manuka honey, by modifying the enzyme GOX, might be responsible for suppressing H2O2 generation. These data highlight the detrimental effect of MGO on significant proteinaceous components of manuka honey.

Growing Evidence, Scientific Data Support Use of Honey in Patients with Diabetes

Honey and Cardiovascular Risk Factors, in Normal Individuals and in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus or Dyslipidemia

Published in Volume: 16 Issue 12: December 13, 2013

Diabetes mellitus, hypercholesteremia, hypertension (HTN), and obesity are well-known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Various medications are currently in use for management of these comorbidities. Undesirable side effects are unavoidable and the ultimate and ideal goal is hardly achieved. Honey and other bee products are widely used in traditional medicine for management of many diseases. Others and the authors have found potent biological activities of these products. Honey is now reintroduced in modern medicine as part of wound and burn management. Honey has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. More studies are exploring other aspects of honey activity such as its effect on blood sugar, body weight, lipid profile, C-reactive protein, nitric oxide, proinflammatory prostaglandins, and homocysteine. Growing evidence and scientific data support the use of honey in patients with diabetes, HTN, dyslipidemia, obesity, and CVD. This review discusses clinical and preclinical studies on potential influence of honey on diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk factors, and emphasizes the importance of conducting more clinical and controlled studies.

Stingless Bee Propolis Has Therapeutic Potential

Antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of propolis from Melipona orbignyi (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Food Chem Toxicol, 2014 Jan 9. pii: S0278-6915(14)00011-8

Propolis from stingless bees is well known for its biologic properties; however, few studies have demonstrated these effects. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of propolis from the stingless bee Melipona orbignyi, found in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The chemical composition of the ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) indicated the presence of aromatic acids, phenolic compounds, alcohols, terpenes and sugars. The EEP was active against the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and the fungus Candida albicans. The EEP showed antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals and inhibiting hemolysis and lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes incubated with an oxidizing agent. Additionally, EEP promoted cytotoxic activity and primarily necrotic death in K562 erythroleukemia cells. Taken together, these results indicate that propolis from M. orbignyi has therapeutic potential for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases related to microorganism activity, oxidative stress and tumor cell proliferation.

Methylglyoxal-Augmented Manuka Honey May Help Treat Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Methylglyoxal-augmented manuka honey as a topical anti–Staphylococcus aureus biofilm agent: safety and efficacy in an in vivo model

Article first published online: 10 JAN 2014

International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology

Background

Bacterial biofilms are thought to contribute to recalcitrance in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients. Manuka honey (MH) and its active component methylglyoxal (MGO) have demonstrated antibiofilm activity in vitro. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of these agents in an in vivo model.

Methods

To assess safety, ovine frontal sinuses were flushed twice daily for 14 days. In each sheep, 1 sinus was flushed with a panel of MGO concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 7.2 mg/mL alone and flushed with a panel of with 16.5% wt/vol MH enriched with MGO at the same range of concentrations (0.5–7.2 mg/mL; designated MH/MGO). Contralateral sinuses were flushed with saline control. Tissue morphology was assessed histologically and with scanning electron microscopy. Efficacy was tested by developing Staphylococcus aureus biofilms in sheep sinuses. Twice-daily irrigation for 5 days was commenced with either saline, MGO (0.5–3.6 mg/mL) alone, or MH/MGO (with 0.5–3.6 mg/mL MGO). Biofilm biomass was compared between the groups (n = 4) using LIVE/DEAD BacLight staining and confocal scanning laser microscopy.

Results

The results of the safety assessment, for normal sinuses treated with MGO alone or with MH/MGO (≤1.8 mg/mL) showed normal pseudostratified epithelium and cilia structure; however, higher concentrations caused cilia denudation and squamous metaplasia. As for efficacy, when compared to saline flush, treatment with MH/MGO at 0.9 mg/mL (0.608 ± 0.110 vs 0.316 ± 0.197 μm3/μm2, respectively; p = 0.015) and 1.8 mg/mL (0.676 ± 0.079 vs 0.114 ± 0.033 μm3/μm2, respectively; p = 0.001) significantly reduced biofilm biomass.

Conclusion

Sinus irrigation with MH/MGO at MGO concentrations between 0.9 and 1.8 mg/mL is both safe to mucosa and efficacious against S. aureus biofilm. MH/MGO irrigation could represent a viable treatment option for recalcitrant CRS.