Lactic Acid Bacterial Symbionts in Honeybees Show Strong Antimicrobial Activity

Lactic Acid Bacterial Symbionts in Honeybees - An Unknown Key to Honey's Antimicrobial and Therapeutic Activities

Int Wound J. 2014 Sep 8. doi: 10.1111/iwj.12345

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/iwj.12345/abstract

Could honeybees' most valuable contribution to mankind besides pollination services be alternative tools against infections? Today, due to the emerging antibiotic-resistant pathogens, we are facing a new era of searching for alternative tools against infections. Natural products such as honey have been applied against human's infections for millennia without sufficient scientific evidence. A unique lactic acid bacterial (LAB) microbiota was discovered by us, which is in symbiosis with honeybees and present in large amounts in fresh honey across the world. This work investigates if the LAB symbionts are the source to the unknown factors contributing to honey's properties. Hence, we tested the LAB against severe wound pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) among others.

We demonstrate a strong antimicrobial activity from each symbiont and a synergistic effect, which counteracted all the tested pathogens. The mechanisms of action are partly shown by elucidating the production of active compounds such as proteins, fatty acids, anaesthetics, organic acids, volatiles and hydrogen peroxide. We show that the symbionts produce a myriad of active compounds that remain in variable amounts in mature honey. Further studies are now required to investigate if these symbionts have a potential in clinical applications as alternative tools against topical human and animal infections.

Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) Symbionts from Honey Bees May Offer Alternative to Antibiotics

A pilot study investigating lactic acid bacterial symbionts from the honeybee in inhibiting human chronic wound pathogens

Int Wound J. 2014 Sep 8. doi: 10.1111/iwj.12360

Treatment and management of chronic wounds is a large burden on the health sector and causes substantial suffering for the patients. We believe that 13 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) symbionts isolated from the honey crop of the honeybee are important players in the antimicrobial action of honey, by producing antimicrobial substances and can be used in combination with heather honey as an effective treatment in wound management.

A total of 22 patients with chronic ulcers were included; culture-dependent and molecular-based (MALDI-MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing) techniques were used to identify bacteria from chronic wounds. These clinical isolates were used for in vitro antimicrobial testing with standardised viable LAB and sterilised heather honey mixture. Twenty of the patients' wounds were polymicrobial and 42 different species were isolated. Patient isolates that were tested in vitro were inhibited by the LAB and honey combination with inhibitory zones comparable with different antibiotics.

LAB and heather honey in combination presents a new topical option in chronic wound management because of the healing properties of honey, antimicrobial metabolite production from the LAB and their bactericidal effect on common chronic wound pathogens. This new treatment may be a stepping stone towards an alternative solution to antibiotics.

Milk and Honey Mixture as Effective as OTC Medication For Treating Acute Cough in Children

Effect of multiple honey doses on non-specific acute cough in children. An open randomised study and literature review

Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2014 Sep 5. pii: S0301-0546(14)00129-3

BACKGROUND:

Honey is recommended for non-specific acute paediatric cough by the Australian guidelines. Current available randomised clinical trials evaluated the effects of a single evening dose of honey, but multiple doses outcomes have never been studied.

OBJECTIVES: 

To evaluate the effects of wildflower honey, given for three subsequent evenings, on non-specific acute paediatric cough, compared to dextromethorphan (DM) and levodropropizine (LDP), which are the most prescribed over-the-counter (OTC) antitussives in Italy.

METHODS:

134 children suffering from non-specific acute cough were randomised to receive for three subsequent evenings a mixture of milk (90ml) and wildflower honey (10ml) or a dose of DM or LDP adjusted for the specific age. The effectiveness was evaluated by a cough questionnaire answered by parents. Primary end-point efficacy was therapeutic success. The latter was defined as a decrease in cough questionnaire score greater than 50% after treatment compared with baseline values.

RESULTS:

Three children were excluded from the study, as their parents did not complete the questionnaire. Therapeutic success was achieved by 80% in the honey and milk group and 87% in OTC medication group (p=0.25).

CONCLUSIONS:

Milk and honey mixture seems to be at least as effective as DM or LDP in non-specific acute cough in children. These results are in line with previous studies, which reported the health effects of honey on paediatric cough, even if placebo effect cannot be totally excluded.

Miele di Manuka: proprieta', usi e dove trovarlo

Scritto Da Marta Albè

GreenMe,  Creato 10 Settembre 2014

Il miele di Manuka proviene dalla Nuova Zelanda, unico luogo del mondo dove è possibile produrlo, poiché solo qui le api hanno a disposizione le piante di Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium), che crescono spontaneamente sul territorio.

Il miele di Manuka è probabilmente l'unico alimento di cui sia stata senza ombra di dubbio dal punto di vista scientifico l'efficacia antibatterica.

Proprietà del miele di Manuka

Il miele di Manuka è conosciuto soprattutto per le sue proprietà antibatteriche. La componente antibatterica del miele di Manuka è conosciuta come methylglyoxal, una sostanza presente anche negli altri tipi di miele, ma in quantità ridotte. E' considerato benefico per le vie respiratorie, soprattutto in caso di congestione nasale. E' un vero e proprio antibiotico naturale e ha potere disinfettante. Una ricerca condotta di recente dagli esperti dell'Università degli Emirati Arabi ha messo in luce che il miele di Manuka potrebbe essere in grado di inibire la crescita delle cellule tumorali…

Bacteria Extracted from the Stomachs of Honeybees Target MRSA

Bee Bacteria Make for Antibiotic Alternatives

Digital Journal, 9/9/2014
Lund - A new study has shown that certain types of bacteria extracted from the stomachs of honeybees could be promising targets as antibiotics against pathogenic bacteria like MRSA.

The new research has looked at thirteen lactic acid bacteria found in the stomach of bees. The bacteria seem to be able to slowdown the growth of antibiotic-resistant MRSA. In studies, the bacteria, when mixed into honey, were able to heal horses with persistent wounds. Furthermore, the bacteria were assessed against severe human wound pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).

The study infers that the thirteen different lactic acid bacteria produce the right kind of antimicrobial compounds needed to keep a range of pathogens at bay…

Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Honeybee Venom May Enhance Immunity, Prevent Bacterial Infections

Poly d,l-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) nanoparticle-encapsulated honeybee (Apis melifera) venom promotes clearance of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection in experimentally challenged pigs through the up-regulation of T helper type 1 specific immune responses

Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2014 Aug 22. pii: S0165-2427(14)00183-4

Honeybee (Apis melifera) venom (HBV), which includes melittin and lipid-soluble ingredients (chrysin and pinocembrin), elicited increases in the CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte ratio, relative mRNA expression levels of the T helper type 1 (Th 1) cytokines (interferon-γ and IL-12) and reinforced viral clearance of an experimental porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus infection in our previous study. On the basis of that previous study, we have now developed poly-d,l-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA)-encapsulated HBV nanoparticles (P-HBV) for longer sustained release of HBV.

We administered P-HBV to pigs via the rectal route, and then evaluated the potential immune-enhancing and bacterial clearance effects of P-HBV against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte ratio, proliferative capacity of peripheral blood lymphocytes and relative mRNA expression levels of IFN-γ and IL-12 (produced mainly by Th1 lymphocytes) were significantly increased in the P-HBV group up to 2 weeks post-administration of P-HBV. After S. Typhimurium infection, the P-HBV group showed a marked reduction in microbial burden in feces and all tissue samples (including the ileum, cecum, colon, and mesenteric lymph node (MLN)), a significant increase in Th 1 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-12) and a marked decrease in a Th 2 cytokine (IL-4) in all tissue samples and peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Thus, P-HBV may be a promising strategy for immune enhancement and prevention of S. Typhimurium or other bacterial infections.

Honey and Ampicillin Induced Similar Structural Changes to Bacteria Cell Wall

Antibacterial Compounds of Canadian Honeys Target Bacterial Cell Wall Inducing Phenotype Changes, Growth Inhibition and Cell Lysis That Resemble Action of β-Lactam Antibiotics

PLoS One. 2014 Sep 5;9(9):e106967

Honeys show a desirable broad spectrum activity against Gram-positive and negative bacteria making antibacterial activity an intrinsic property of honey and a desirable source for new drug development. The cellular targets and underlying mechanism of action of honey antibacterial compounds remain largely unknown. To facilitate the target discovery, we employed a method of phenotypic profiling by directly comparing morphological changes in Escherichia coli induced by honeys to that of ampicillin, the cell wall-active β-lactam of known mechanism of action. Firstly, we demonstrated the purity of tested honeys from potential β-lactam contaminations using quantitative LC-ESI-MS. Exposure of log-phase E. coli to honey or ampicillin resulted in time- and concentration-dependent changes in bacterial cell shape with the appearance of filamentous phenotypes at sub-inhibitory concentrations and spheroplasts at the MBC.

Cell wall destruction by both agents, clearly visible on microscopic micrographs, was accompanied by increased permeability of the lipopolysaccharide outer membrane as indicated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). More than 90% E. coli exposed to honey or ampicillin became permeable to propidium iodide. Consistently with the FACS results, both honey-treated and ampicillin-treated E. coli cells released lipopolysaccharide endotoxins at comparable levels, which were significantly higher than controls (p < 0.0001). E. coli cells transformed with the ampicillin-resistance gene (β-lactamase) remained sensitive to honey, displayed the same level of cytotoxicity, cell shape changes and endotoxin release as ampicillin-sensitive cells. As expected, β-lactamase protected the host cell from antibacterial action of ampicillin. Thus, both honey and ampicillin induced similar structural changes to the cell wall and LPS and that this ability underlies antibacterial activities of both agents. Since the cell wall is critical for cell growth and survival, honey active compounds would be highly applicable for therapeutic purposes while differences in the mode of action between honey and ampicillin may provide clinical advantage in eradicating β-lactam-resistant pathogens.

Honey Helps Treat Tonsillectomy Pain

Efficacy of honey in reduction of post tonsillectomy pain, randomized clinical trial

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2014 Aug 21. pii: S0165-5876(14)00462-5

OBJECTIVES:

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common operations performed in pediatric population. One of the most prevalent tonsillectomy complications is early or delayed post-operative hemorrhage. Other important morbidity is post-operative pain. Historically, honey has been used for wound control, reducing the inflammation, and healing acceleration. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of honey on reducing pain after tonsillectomy in children 5-15 years old.

METHODS:

After tonsillectomy, 80 patients were randomly divided in two equal groups. Patients in the first group were treated with antibiotic and acetaminophen, while those in the second group were treated with antibiotic, acetaminophen and honey. Data was gathered via a questionnaire and observation of tonsillar bed healing. Data was analyzed by SPSS17 software and related tests.

RESULTS:

Pain comparison between two groups showed that the average time required for pain relief in patients who received honey was less than the control. The pain intensity was higher during the first 9 days post-operatively in control group. Results also showed that acetaminophen consumption in patients who received honey is lower. In the case group, the average time to resume regular diet and the frequency of awakening at night is significantly less than the control group.

CONCLUSION:

Honey administration after tonsillectomy has valuable effect in pain relief and it can be used as an adjunctive regimen after surgery for better pain control.

Honeydew Honey Has Potential to Be One Medical-Grade Honey

Treatment of non-healing leg ulcers with honeydew honey

J Tissue Viability. 2014 Aug 19. pii: S0965-206X(14)00060-6

BACKGROUND:

Honey is used as a traditional medicine for centuries by different cultures for the treatment of various disorders. However, not all honeys exhibit equal antimicrobial potency and only a few meet the criteria for clinical usage.

AIM:

The aim of the study was to determine clinical efficacy of sterilised honeydew honey in the treatment of the lower leg ulcers in 25 patients. Furthermore, we evaluated honey acceptability of patients in terms of pain and overall satisfaction.

METHODOLOGY:

A total of 25 patients with chronic venous leg ulcers were recruited into this study. The 100% γ-irradiated sterile honeydew honey was applied onto the cleaned wounds and each wound was assessed at the least two times in for a period of 6 weeks.

RESULTS:

During the course of treatment, the average wound area of all patients decreased significantly from 51 (3-150) to 22 (0-91) cm2. Eighteen patients (72%) experienced a decrease in reported pain levels while five patients (20%) experienced the same level of pain throughout the study. The overall satisfaction with honey treatment was positive in 80% of patients. Only two patients experienced poor tolerance due to problems at ulcer site related to pain.

CONCLUSION:

Based on these findings, honeydew honey has the potential to be one of the medical-grade honeys.

Indonesian Stingless Bee Propolis Kills Cancer Cells

In vitro cytotoxicity of Indonesian stingless bee products against human cancer cell lines

Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2014 Jul;4(7):549-56

OBJECTIVE:

To screen crude extracts of propolis, bee pollen and honey from four stingless bee species [Trigona incisa (T. incisa)], Timia apicalis, Trigona fusco-balteata and Trigona fuscibasis) native to East Kalimantan, Indonesia for cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines (HepG2, SW620, ChaGo-I, KATO-III and BT474).

METHODS:

All samples were extracted with methanol, and then subpartitioned with n-hexane and ethyl acetate. Each crude extract was screened at 20 µg/mL for in vitro cytotoxicity against the cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. In addition, four previously shown bioactive components from propolis (apigenin, caffeic acid phenyl ester, kaempferol and naringenin) and two chemotherapeutic drugs (doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil) were used to evaluate the sensitivity of the cell lines.

RESULTS:

Overall, crude extracts from propolis and honey had higher cytotoxic activities than bee pollen, but the activity was dependent upon the extraction solvent, bee species and cell line. Propolis extracts from T. incisa and Timia apicalis showed the highest and lowest cytotoxic activity, respectively. Only the HepG2 cell line was broadly sensitive to the honey extracts. For pure compounds, doxorubicin was the most cytotoxic, the four propolis compounds the least, but the ChaGo-I cell line was sensitive to kaempferol at 10 µg/mL and KATO-III was sensitive to kaempferol and apigenin at 10 µg/mL. All pure compounds were effective against the BT474 cell line.

CONCLUSIONS:

Propolis from T. incisa and Trigona fusco-balteata contain an in vitro cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines. Further study is required, including the isolation and characterization of the active antiproliferative agent(s).

Manuka Honey has Antibacterial Properties Capable of Inhibiting Biofilm

Biofilm formation of Clostridium difficile and susceptibility to Manuka Honey

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014 Sep 3;14(1):329

BACKGROUND:

Biofilm bacteria are relatively more resistant to antibiotics. The escalating trend of antibiotic resistance higlights the need for evaluating alternative potential therapeutic agents with antibacterial properties. The use of honey for treating microbial infections dates back to ancient times, though antimicrobial properties of Manuka honey was discovered recently. The aim of this study was to demonstrate biofilm formation of specific Clostridium difficile strains and evaluate susceptibility of the biofilm to Manuka honey.

METHODS:

Three C. difficile strains were used in the study including the ATCC 9689 strain, a ribotype 027 strain and a ribotype 106 strain. Each test strain was grown in sterile microtitre plates and incubated at 37[degree sign]C for 24 and 48 hours in an anaerobic cabinet to allow formation of adherent growth (biofilm) on the walls of the wells. The effect of Manuka honey on the biofilms formed was investigated at varying concentrations of 1-50% (v/v) of Manuka honey.

RESULTS:

The three C. difficile strains tested formed biofilms after 24 hours with the ribotype 027 strain producing the most extensive growth. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) found between the amount of biofilms formed after 24 and 48 hours of incubation for each of the three C. difficile strains. A dose-response relationship between concentration of Manuka honey and biofilm formation was observed for all the test strains, and the optimum Manuka honey activity occurred at 40-50% (v/v).

CONCLUSION:

Manuka honey has antibacterial properties capable of inhibiting in vitro biofilm formed by C. difficile.

Apitherapy Diet Reduces Toxicity in Liver, Spleen and Pancreas

Effect of Apitherapy Formulations against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Toxicity in Wistar Rats after Three Weeks of Treatment

Molecules 2014, 19(9), 13374-13391

The human body is exposed nowadays to increasing attacks by toxic compounds in polluted air, industrially processed foods, alcohol and drug consumption that increase liver toxicity, leading to more and more severe cases of hepatic disorders. The present paper aims to evaluate the influence of the apitherapy diet in Wistar rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity, by analyzing the biochemical determinations (enzymatic, lipid and protein profiles, coagulation parameters, minerals, blood count parameters, bilirubin levels) and histopathological changes at the level of liver, spleen and pancreas.

The experiment was carried out on six groups of male Wistar rats. Hepatic lesions were induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (dissolved in paraffin oil, 10% solution). Two mL per 100 g were administered, every 2 days, for 2 weeks. Hepatoprotection was achieved with two apitherapy diet formulations containing honey, pollen, propolis, Apilarnil, with/without royal jelly.

Biochemical results reveal that the two apitherapy diet formulations have a positive effect on improving the enzymatic, lipid, and protein profiles, coagulation, mineral and blood count parameters and bilirubin levels. The histopathological results demonstrate the benefits of the two apitherapy diet formulations on reducing toxicity at the level of liver, spleen and pancreas in laboratory animals.

Bee Venom Therapy Used in India to Treat Arthritis, MS

No Pain No Gain in Kerala’s Bee Venom Therapy

Indian Express, 8/30/2014

A bee sting is definitely not something pleasant, but one will be surprised to see people queuing up to get stung at the ‘Bee Venom Therapy Centre’ in Kalpetta, the district headquarters of Wayanad, in northern Kerala, between 10 am and 12 noon every Tuesday.

K M Sankarankutty, the head of the Bee Research and Training Institute, under the Kerala Khadi Grama Vyavasaya Board, supervises the proceedings. When you meet him, he will hand you a copy of a pamphlet titled, ‘The Miracle and Wonders of Treatment from Bee Venom’. “Certain compounds in bee venom, namely melittin and adolapin, help reduce inflammation and pain, especially in arthritis patients. Apis cerana indica is the bee species used,” says Sankarankutty.

He takes a bee out of a wooden box and places it on the knee of a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Thereafter, he gives the insect a small pinch, so that it gets agitated and injects venom into the patient through the needle-like portion of the sting apparatus.

The venom is used to cure rheumatoid arthritis, nerve pain, multiple sclerosis, swollen tendons, as well as fibromyositis and enthesitis. The treatment is being offered as per the guidelines provided by the American Apitherapy Society. However, those who cannot avail of bee therapy are pregnant women and patients with hypertension, kidney and heart ailments, as well as mental disorders…

Consumption of Royal Jelly Effective in Reducing PMS

Effect of Royal Jelly on premenstrual syndrome among Iranian medical sciences students: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study

Complement Ther Med. 2014 Aug;22(4):601-6

BACKGROUND:

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may have negative effects on women's health and sometimes need therapeutic non-pharmacological management.

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the effect of oral consumption of 1000mg Royal Jelly capsule on premenstrual syndrome.

METHOD:

This is a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, which was conducted in Tehran University of Medical Sciences female dormitories between December 2011 and October 2012. The study population comprised 110 medical sciences student with PMS, whom were randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group. Each participant in the intervention group took one Royal jelly capsule orally per day, starting on the first day of menstruation and continued the same treatment daily throughout two consecutive menstrual cycles, while participants in the intervention group took placebo capsules as same method. The outcome measure in this study was PMS score as obtained through the Premenstrual Profile 2005.

RESULTS:

The mean of personal characteristics and baseline level of the premenstrual score before intervention did not differ between groups. After two consecutive months consumption of Royal Jelly, PMS score had decreased from 23.17±17.43 to 11.42±14.58 (mean change: 11.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.31-15.19) and in Placebo, PMS score changed from 21.48±16.39 to 20.27±15.76 (mean change: 1.20; 95% CI: -1.69 to 4.10). Also difference between mean changes was significant (mean difference: 10.54; 95% CI: 6.10-14.98).

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of the study have demonstrated that 2 months consumption of Royal Jelly was effective in reducing PMS

Honey Effective in Healing Cesarean Section Incisions

Oman Med J, 2014 Jul;29(4):255-9

The effect of honey gel on abdominal wound healing in cesarean section: a triple blind randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess whether honey can accelerate the wound healing in women undergoing cesarean section.

METHODS:

This was a triple blinded randomized prospective clinical trial. Women with cesarean section were randomly designated as drug (37 cases) and placebo (38 cases) groups. The drug group received local honey gel 25% while the placebo group received similar free-honey gel on abdominal cesarean incision twice a day for 14 days. REEDA scale (Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge and Approximation of wound edges) was used to assess wound healing.

RESULTS:

The mean REEDA was 2.27 ± 2.46 and 3.91 ± 2.74 (p=0.008) on the 7(th) day and 0.47 ± 0.84 and 1.59± 1.95 (p=0.002) on the 14(th) day for the drug and placebo groups, respectively. Redness, edema and hematoma in the drug group were significantly lower on the 7(th) and 14(th) days.

CONCLUSION:

Honey was effective in healing the cesarean section incision. Using topical honey is suggested as a natural product with rare side effects in order to reduce the complications of cesarean wounds.