Monday, September 30, 2019

Turkish Honeydew Honey May Help Prevent Cancer


Quercus pyrenaica Honeydew Honey With High Phenolic Contents Cause DNA Damage, Apoptosis, and Cell Death Through Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species in Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells

Integr Cancer Ther. 2019 Jan-Dec;18:1534735419876334

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Many studies have shown that honey with high phenolic contents prevents cancer formation.
Furthermore, recent studies have demonstrated that honey can be used for the treatment of cancer as well as cancer prevention. Antineoplastic effects of honey are often associated with their antioxidant phenolic contents. However, very few studies have dealt with the association of phenolic contents of honeys in terms of antiproliferative effects.

The aim of this study was, therefore, to elucidate the cytotoxic, genotoxic, apoptotic, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating effects of honey samples on the basis of their phenolic and flavonoid contents.

Fourteen different honey varieties were collected from various parts of Turkey, and their characteristics regarding total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant contents were determined to test their effects on gastric cancer cells (AGS). For convenience, 2 honey varieties were selected, namely, Ida Mountains Quercus pyrenaica honeydew honey (QPHH-IM) having the highest phenolic and antioxidant content and Canakkale multifloral honey (MFH-C) with the lowest phenolic and antioxidant content.

Levels of 11 different phenolic compounds in QPHH-IM and MFH-C samples were determined by LC-MS/MS. AGS cells were incubated with different concentrations of QPHH-IM and MFH-C for 24 hours, then the cell viability, DNA damage, apoptosis, and generation of ROS were determined.

We found that QPHH-IM had more cytotoxic, genotoxic, and apoptotic effects than that of MFH-C.

We think that these effects are probably related to pro-oxidant activities due to the high phenolic contents present. Therefore, further research on high-phenolic honey may contribute to the future development of cancer therapeutics.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Propolis May Help Prevent Infertility

The propolis and boric acid can be highly suitable, alone/or as a combinatory approach on ovary ischemia-reperfusion injury

Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2019 Sep 23

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PURPOSE:

Ovarian ischemia-reperfusion (IR) damage continues to be a serious infertility problem. The oxidative stress plays central role in the development of IR injuries. Activation of antioxidants decreases IR injuries; however, the efficacy of antioxidant agents remains controversial. Unfortunately, there has been no evidence for medicinal use of boric acid (BA) and propolis (Prop) on ovarian IR injury on rats so far. This study will provide to reveal the potential applications of the Prop and BA in ovarian IR therapy.

METHODS:

The Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into five groups: I-control, II-IR, 3 h of ischemia and 3 h of reperfusion, III and IV-a signal dose of oral BA (7 mg/kg) and Prop (100 mg/kg) alone 1 h before induction of IR, V-Prop and BA together 1 h before induction of IR. SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), GSH (glutathione), MPO (myeloperoxidase), MDA (malondialdehyde), and IL-6 (interleukin-6) levels were quantified by ELISA and the TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α), 8-OHdG (8-hydroxylo-2'-deoxyguanosin) and Caspase-3 expressions were performed by immunohistochemical analyses.

RESULTS:

BA and Prop pretreatment significantly reduced MPO, MDA, and IL-6 levels and pathologic score in IR rats, with no effects in control group. These agents used in therapy also decreased TNF-α, 8-OHdG and Caspase-3 protein expressions increased by IR. Furthermore, BA and Prop combination showed significant ameliorative effects on ovary injury caused by IR through acting as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic agent.

CONCLUSION:

BA and Prop alone and especially in combination could be developed as therapeutic agents against ovary IR injury.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Propolis Protects Against Intestinal Damage Caused by Diabetes


Propolis modulates the gut microbiota and improves the intestinal mucosal barrier function in diabetic rats

Biomed Pharmacother. 2019 Oct;118:109393

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OBJECTIVE:

Diabetes mellitus is associated with gut microbiota disturbance and intestinal mucosal injuries. This study investigated the influence of propolis on the gut microbiota and intestinal mucosa in rats with diabetes.

METHODS:

Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to the control group, model group, and three propolis groups (supplemented with 80, 160, and 240 mg/kg·bw propolis, respectively). A high-fat diet combined with a streptozotocin (STZ) abdominal injection were used to induce diabetes in the rats. After 4 weeks, the intestinal histopathological analysis of the ileum was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), plasma insulin, glucose tolerance (OGTT) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured. The expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins in the ileum was measured using western blotting. The molecular ecology of the fecal gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. The contents of the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTS:

After propolis treatment, compared to the model group, FBG and HbA1c levels declined, while the glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) increased. The levels of TJ proteins in the ileum increased in the propolis groups. The tight junctions and gap junctions of the intestinal epithelium were also improved in the propolis groups. The contents of the feces acetic acid, propionic acid and butyrate were increased in the propolis groups. 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing revealed that the composition of the gut microbiota of rats in the propolis supplement group was significantly improved.

CONCLUSIONS:

Compared to the model group, propolis exerted hypoglycemic effects in diabetic rats, and it repaired intestinal mucosal damage, benefited the communities of the gut microbiota and increased SCFA levels in diabetic rats.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Propolis Helps Treat Menstrual Cramps (heavy flow, uterine fibroids, endometriosis primary dysmenorrhea, menstruation)


The effect of bee prepolis on primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized clinical trial

Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2019 Sep;62(5):352-356

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Objective:

Primary dysmenorrhea typically occurs with no associated pelvic pathology and is common in adolescents and young women. This study evaluated the effect of bee propolis on relief of primary dysmenorrhea.

Methods:

The study was performed in 2018 in Hamadan, in western Iran, among female students with primary dysmenorrhea. Participants were randomly divided into two groups, using balanced block randomization, and were administered a placebo or bee propolis capsules for 5 days during two menstruation cycles. The number of participants required was estimated to be 86 in total, with 43 students in each group according to the inclusion criteria. We used the visual analog scale to assess pain severity. The independent t-test was conducted for comparing between two groups, using SPSS 16.0.

Results:

A significant change was found in the mean pain scores during the first (P < 0.001) and second (P < 0.001) months after using bee propolis in comparison with placebo. The means of the pain scores in the bee propolis group were 5.32±2.28 and 4.74±2.40 in first and second months after the intervention, respectively, whereas the means of the pain scores in the placebo group were 7.40±1.21 and 7.17±1.24 in first and second months after the intervention, respectively.

Conclusion:

Our study showed that the use of bee propolis for two months compared with placebo reduced primary dysmenorrhea during the first and second months after use, with no adverse effects. Therefore, it could be used as an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for relief of primary dysmenorrhea.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Malaysian Tualang Honey Inhibits Vascular Hyperpermeability

Malaysian Tualang Honey Inhibits Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Endothelial Hyperpermeability

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019 Aug 18;2019:1202676

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Malaysian Tualang honey (TH) is a known therapeutic honey extracted from the honeycombs of the Tualang tree (Koompassia excelsa) and has been reported for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and wound healing properties.

However, the possible vascular protective effect of TH against oxidative stress remains unclear. In this study, the effects of TH on hydrogen peroxide- (H2O2-) elicited vascular hyperpermeability in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and Balb/c mice were evaluated. Our data showed that TH concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 1.00% showed no cytotoxic effect to HUVECs. Induction with 0.5 mM H2O2 was found to increase HUVEC permeability, but the effect was significantly reversed attenuated by TH (p < 0.05), of which the permeability with the highest inhibition peaked at 0.1%.

In Balb/c mice, TH (0.5 g/kg-1.5 g/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced H2O2 (0.3%)-induced albumin-bound Evans blue leak, in a dose-dependent manner. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed that TH reduced actin stress fiber formation while increasing cortical actin formation and colocalization of caveolin-1 and β-catenin in HUVECs. Signaling studies showed that HUVECs pretreated with TH significantly (p < 0.05) decreased intracellular calcium release, while sustaining the level of cAMP when challenged with H2O2.

These results suggested that TH could inhibit H2O2-induced vascular hyperpermeability in vitro and in vivo by suppression of adherence junction protein redistribution via calcium and cAMP, which could have a therapeutic potential for diseases related to the increase of both oxidant and vascular permeability.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Honey May Help Treat Liver Cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC], cirrhosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C)


Effect of co-administration of Bee honey and some chemotherapeutic drugs on dissemination of hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

Toxicol Rep. 2019 Aug 16;6:875-888

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Alternative and complimentary usage of the natural compound has raised hopes of finding curative options for liver hepatocarcinogenesis.

In the present study, the curative effect of bee honey against diethylnitrosamine (DEN) (50 mg/kg) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) (2 mg/Kg)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in male rats in the presence or absence of some chemotherapeutic drugs, Cisplatin (Cis), Cyclophosphamide (CY) and 5- Fluorouracil (5-FU) were investigated.

The obtained results demonstrated that treatment with DEN/CCl4 caused oxidative stress as assigned by the increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and fall in glutathione (GSH) content. Meantime detraction in the antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was observed.

Also, the results showed induction of inflammation as reflected by an increase in the levels of both α- fetoprotein and α- fucosidase in the liver. This was accompanied by changes in the hepatic function biomarkers which characterized by the increased levels of transaminases (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-Glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) and decrease in total protein content in the serum.

In conclusion, the combination of the selected drugs and bee honey may be an effective chemo- preventive and therapeutic strategy for treating DEN and CCl4-induced HCC.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Honey and Propolis May Help Reduce Stress in Women

Glucocorticoid and cortisol hormone in response to honey and honey propolis supplementation in mild stress women

Enferm Clin. 2019 Sep 10. pii: S1130-8621(19)30297-9

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OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to assess the response of supplementation of honey and honey propolis to women who experience mild stress.

METHODS:

The subjects of 30 people were divided into 3 groups; control, honey, and propolis honey every 10 people per group. All groups were given the same dose of 60g/day for 14 days. Measurements of glucocorticoid and cortisol hormones using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and the difference in cortisol hormone levels before and after the intervention were analyzed by a paired T-test.

RESULTS:

Honey and propolis honey group decrease cortisol levels but none of the groups have significant changes. This is reciprocal with the changes in the hormone cortisol, the decrease in glucocorticoid hormone levels in the group given honey is the highest following propolis honey and the control group. However, changes in glucocorticoid hormones in the honey group were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION:

Our result confirmed that in women who experience mild stress, honey and honey propolis have the potential to reduce stress-related hormones, that is glucocorticoids and cortisol, this reduction does not have the potential to suppress the immune system.

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Medical Grade Honey May Help Treat Vaginal Yeast Infections (vulvovaginal candidiasis)


Sweet Relief: Determining the Antimicrobial Activity of Medical Grade Honey Against Vaginal Isolates of Candida albicans

J Fungi (Basel). 2019 Sep 9;5(3). pii: E85

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Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is predicted to increase to almost 158 million cases annually by 2030. Extensive self-diagnosis and easily accessible over-the-counter (OTC) fungistatic drugs contribute to antifungal-resistance, illustrating the need for novel therapies.

Honey possesses multiple antimicrobial mechanisms, and there is no antimicrobial resistance towards honey reported. We evaluated the susceptibility of five clinical isolates of Candida albicans and a control strain to regular honey and a medical grade honey (MGH) gel formulation (L-Mesitran, containing 40% honey and vitamins C and E) using an adapted version of the EUCAST protocol at pH 5.2, 4.6, and 4.0. 40% regular honey did not kill or inhibit C. albicans.

In contrast, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of L-Mesitran was 25%-50%, while fungicidal effects occurred at a 50% concentration (MBC) of the MGH formulation, except for one strain which was not killed at pH 4.0. Overall, pH had little effect on antimicrobial activity. MGH formulation L-Mesitran has antimicrobial activity against C. albicans over a relevant pH range. The vitamin supplements or other components of L-Mesitran may enhance the antifungal activity of the honey.

This study supports performing clinical trials for conditions, such as RVVC, to find an alternative to available OTC fungistatic drugs.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Man whose penis ‘split’ has it reconstructed with HONEY – and he can now have sex again

The Sun

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...But during an examination it was revealed that the unnamed man was circumcised, according to an article published in the International Journal of Surgery Case Reports.

Medics at Zealand University Hospital discovered the patient had non-cancerous tumours at the root, shaft and tip of his penis, which were infected.

The growths were causing the skin to split - known as penile denudation.

Medics removed the tumours and attempted to reconstruct his member with skin grafts, but the procedure was unsuccessful.

Un-bee-lievable
They then decided to try Manuka honey, renowned for its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and healing properties, the docs said.

Incredibly, the honey dressings had a "satisfying result" and after two weeks healthy tissue had started to fill the wound...

Monday, September 09, 2019

Wedderspoon Debuts New Bee Propolis Throat Spray Line

Wedderspoon Debuts New Bee Propolis Throat Spray Line with Monofloral Manuka Honey at Natural Products Expo East 2019

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MALVERN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- U.S. Leader of Genuine Manuka Honey Unveils Unique Functional Format Combining the Power of Propolis and Manuka to Soothe and Promote Oral Health

Wedderspoon, passionate steward of authentic Manuka Honey-based products and the #1 selling Manuka Honey brand in the U.S., will debut a new line of functional wellness products, Bee Propolis Throat Sprays with Monofloral Manuka Honey, at Natural Products Expo East Sept. 11-14.

Consumers can seek relief with just three sprays of the Bee Propolis Sprays to help soothe throats and support their immune systems. This new line is available in three flavor offerings including Warming Orange Spice, Cooling Chamomile Mint, and Lemon Ginger. Attendees of Natural Products Expo East are invited to booth #1032 to be the first to see the brand’s newest Manuka Honey innovations...

Saturday, September 07, 2019

Royal Jelly Helps Treat Symptoms of Menopause (Hot Flashes, Aging, Ageing, Fatigue, Night Sweats, Osteoporosis, Insomnia, Anxiety, Irritability, Moodiness, Reduced Sex Drive, Vaginal Dryness)

Could royal jelly be an alternative to HRT? Researchers find the expensive honey bee secretion can help alleviate hot flushes and irritability

It’s a creamy substance bottled up and sold alongside claims it can fight ageing
A study now suggests royal jelly could also combat symptoms of the menopause
It was four times more effective at combating hot flushes as placebos, it found
It comes after a bombshell Oxford study last week linked HRT to breast cancer

By STEPHEN MATTHEWS HEALTH EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE 

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It’s a creamy substance bottled up and sold in health food stores alongside bold claims it can boost your sex drive and fight ageing.

But research now suggests royal jelly – secreted by honey bees to feed their queen – could also be used to combat symptoms of the menopause.

Scientists found taking 'bee milk' daily was four times more effective at combating hot flushes as placebos in women going through ‘the change’.

It comes after a bombshell study last week linked HRT – often dished out to alleviate symptoms in menopausal women – to breast cancer...

Friday, September 06, 2019

Honey May Help Treat Malaria, Giardia, Amoebic Dysentery (Gastroenteritis, Diarrhea, Parasites)


In vitro activity of some natural honeys against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia trophozoites

Saudi J Biol Sci. 2019 Feb;26(2):238-243

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Considering the potentiality of honey in combating diseases, the present study was carried out aiming to assess the in vitro antiprotozoal activity of several honeys (Ziziphus spina-christi, Acacia nilotica, Acacia seyal, and Cucurbita maxima) against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia by employing the sub-culture method.

All the tested honeys inhibited the growth of trophozoites, and the level of inhibition varied according to the assayed concentrations and incubation times. Acacia seyal honey had completely stopped motility of E. histolytica trophozoites at a concentration ≤ 50 µg/ml after incubation for 72 h. Ziziphus spina-christi, Acacia seyal, and Acacia nilotica honeys had completely inhibited the growth of Giardia lamblia trophozoites at concentration ≤ 200 µg/ml after 72 h.

These inhibitory activities were similar to that of Metronidazole™ which showed IC50  = 0.27. The mammalian cytotoxicity of these honeys against normal Vero cell line which determined by applying MTT method verified the nontoxicity of the examined honeys. Also the proximate composition of the samples indicated compliance with the natural honey standards.

The findings of the study indicate the need for in vivo studies and further investigations to identify active principles with antiprotozoal activities from natural honeys.

Wednesday, September 04, 2019

Brazilian Propolis May Help Treat Colitis (Irritable Bowel Syndrome [IBS], Inflammatory Bowel Disease [IBD], Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis)


Brazilian propolis extract reduces intestinal barrier defects and inflammation in a colitic mouse model

Nutr Res. 2019 Jul 30;69:30-41

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Brazilian propolis is rich in cinnamic acid derivatives and reportedly reduces intestinal inflammation in rodents; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that the regulation of tight junction (TJ) barrier, Th17 cell differentiation, and/or, macrophage activation by cinnamic acid derivatives were involved in the propolis-mediated anti-inflammatory effect.

Mice were orally administered 2% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in combination with either the feeding control or a diet containing 0.3% ethanol extract of Brazilian propolis for 9 days.

DSS administration induced acute colitis in mice, whereas the propolis extract mitigated DSS-induced weight loss; colon shortening; increased plasma levels of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein; reduced expression of TJ proteins, such as zonula occludens, junctional adhesion molecule-A, occludin, and claudins; and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, interleukin (IL) 6, and IL-17a. Cinnamic acid derivatives, such as artepillin C and caffeic acid phenethyl ester, present in the propolis extract suppressed the IL-17 production from cultured murine splenocytes through decreased retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gT expression. Baccharin, drupanin, and culifolin, which are also present in Brazilian propolis, reduced the TNF-α and/or IL-6 production by suppressing inflammatory signaling in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Taken together, the regulation of Th17 differentiation and macrophage activation by cinnamic acid derivatives, at least in part, contribute to the anti-inflammatory effect mediated by Brazilian propolis.

Monday, September 02, 2019

Royal Jelly Helps Treat Limb-Threatening Diabetic Foot Wounds


Efficacy of a new local limb salvage treatment for limb-threatening diabetic foot wounds - a randomized controlled study

Dove Press

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Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is the main risk factor for nontraumatic lower-limb amputation. We hypothesized that by reversing the offending local tissue factors resulting from the low tissue supply of oxygen, inefficient fuel metabolism and acidosis, we can eradicate the infection and help to promote healing. This might be enhanced with the help of an innovated local preparation (PEDYPHAR®,) through its enriched alkaline ointment base and the regenerating growth factors of Royal Jelly (RJ) plus the antimicrobial, immune-modulatory nutritional and other biochemical properties of RJ and Panthenol. We conducted this study to test the safety and efficacy of PEDYPHAR ointment as an adjuvant in limb salvage management for patients with limb-threatening diabetic foot wounds.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled open-label study design with a mean follow-up period of 12 weeks. One hundred and nineteen eligible patients with diabetic foot wounds presenting to 3 outpatient clinics in Egypt were randomized to be treated with the local application of either PEDYPHAR or Panthenol ointment under dressing after conservative debridement of necrotic tissue and irrigation with warm normal saline.

Results: At the end of the 12-week follow-up period, PEDYPHAR showed a higher rate of complete healing of limb-threatening wounds in the intent-to-treat population, 11 of 34 (32.4%) in PEDYPHAR-treated group versus 3/25 (12%) in the Panthenol-treated (control) group (p = 0.034* [*indicates it is statistically significant]).

Conclusion: We can conclude that PEDYPHAR could be an effective and safe conservative local adjuvant treatment for cases of diabetic foot infection.