‘Remarkable Variation’ in Honey Antioxidant Activity

Physico-Chemical and Bioactive Properties of Different Floral Origin Honeys from Romania
Food Chemistry, Volume 112, Issue 4, 15 February 2009, Pages 863-867

Abstract: In this study, we investigated and compared the physico-chemical properties (moisture, colour, ash, and sugars content) as well as total phenols, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity of several honey samples (24) collected from different regions of Romania. The physico-chemical values were in the range of approved limits (conforming to EU legislation); excepting the monosaccharide values for one sample (T2). For this sample, the other values were within legislation limits.

The results obtained showed that the most valuable honey is the honeydew one. Correlation between RSA and total phenols and total flavonoids, respectively, was determined, and a positive correlation was found. This study demonstrates remarkable variation in antioxidant properties and content of total phenols in honey, depending on its botanic or geographic source.

Propolis ‘Nanofood’ Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Cell Growth

Preparation of Propolis Nanofood and Application to Human Cancer
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, Vol. 31 (2008) , No. 9 1704

Propolis has well-known antimicrobial activity as well as antioxidant, antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties, but its effects on the immune response are not well understood. Furthermore, clinical application of this relatively efficacious agent in cancer and other diseases has been limited due to poor aqueous solubility and, consequently, minimal systemic bioavailability.

Nanoparticle-based delivery approaches have the potential to render hydrophobic agents like propolis dispersible in aqueous media, thus circumventing the pitfalls of poor solubility. We have synthesized a polymeric nanoparticle-encapsulated formulation of propolis (propolis nanofood) utilizing micellar aggregates of cross-linked and random copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAM) with N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (VP) and poly(ethyleneglycol) monoacrylate (PEG-A)…

Propolis nanofood, unlike free propolis, is readily dispersed in aqueous media. Propolis nanofood demonstrates comparable in vitro therapeutic efficacy to free propolis against a panel of human pancreatic cancer cell lines, as assessed by cell viability and clonogenicity assays in soft agar.

Future studies utilizing propolis nanofood are warranted in pre-clinical in vivo models of cancer and other diseases that might benefit from the effects of propolis…

Propolis nanofood opens up avenues for systemic therapy of human cancers wherein the beneficial effects of propolis have been propounded. Future studies using relevant experimental models will enable us to address these scenarios in an in vivo setting. Propolis nanofood inhibits pancreatic cell growth in murine xenograft models; these effects are accompanied by a potent anti-angiogenic response and should facilitate the eventual clinical translation of this well-known but under-utilized therapeutic agent. No overt host toxicity is noted when maximal volumes are administered to mice. Taken together with the dismal outlook for patients with human pancreatic carcinoma, our observations suggest that propolis nanofood should be investigated in the clinical setting…

U.S. Firm Offers New Line of Digital Honey Refractometers

From Hive to Table; MISCO Digital Honey Refractometer Provides a Sweet Solution for Measuring Honey Moisture and Solids Content
New Honey Refractometer Puts Laboratory Precision in the Palm of Your Hand

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) September 6, 2008 -- MISCO introduces a new line of handheld digital refractometers designed specifically for state and federal inspectors responsible for the measurement and grading of honey. Although designed for government inspectors, the MISCO Digital Honey Refractometer is equally beneficial to professional beekeepers, honey producers, honey mixers, honey brokers, or anyone requiring the absolute most accurate, repeatable readings of moisture content and percent solids in honey…

Canadian Ear Candling & Apitherapy Day

When: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Goodness Me! Natural Food Market, 1000 Upper Gage, Hamilton
To Register: Phone: (905) 388-8400
Cost: $55.00

Workshop participants will receive: Informative Apitherapy (therapeutics of the beehive products) seminar including handouts and samples. Information with regard –“How-To” do a Beeswax, Ear-candling treatment (hands-on). Time also allotted for question and sharing period – Also includes lunch, tea.

Propolis Used to Treat American Foulbrood

Efficacy of Natural Propolis Extract in the Control of American Foulbrood
Veterinary Microbiology, Volume 131, Issues 3-4, 15 October 2008, Pages 324-331

Abstract: Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of American Foulbrood (AFB), a severe disease that affects larvae of the honeybees. Due to the serious effects associated with AFB and the problems related to the use of antibiotics, it is necessary to develop alternative strategies for the control of the disease. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of a propolis ethanolic extract (PEE) against P. larvae and its potential for the control of AFB...

All isolates were sensitive to PEE and the MIC median was 0.52% (range 0.32–0.64). PEE was not toxic for bees at least at 50%. Field assays showed that 21 and 42 days after the application of the treatments, the number of P. larvae spores/g of honey was significantly lower in colonies treated with PEE compared to the colonies that were not treated with PEE. To our knowledge, this is the first report about the use of propolis for the treatment of beehives affected with P. larvae spores.

New Method for Analysis of Streptomycin in Royal Jelly

Determination of Streptomycin Residue in Royal Jelly by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Post-Column Derivatization
Se Pu (Chinese Journal of Chromatography), 2008 May;26(3):395-7

A reliable and sensitive method was introduced for the analysis of streptomycin in royal jelly. The method was based on a separation by a C8 analytical column with beta-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate post-column derivatization and fluorescence detection…

The method reduced the possibility of the false positive, and it could meet the need of the current work.

Video: Line of Royal Jelly Beauty Products

View the video.

Local Honey Said to Cure Hayfever

'I've Bee-n Cured'
By Bonnie Friend, Borehamwood Times (UK), 9/4/2008

A chronic hayfever-sufferer has enjoyed the summer for the first time in 22 years after finding a cure in his Radlett allotment.

Stuart Thorn, 53, was treated with cortisol injections for 20 years and five years ago started having acupuncture, as recommended by his doctor.

However, in 2006 Mr Thorn and his wife, Mo, realised a long-planned ambition to keep bees and produce honey at their allotment in Phillimore Recreation Ground, in Gills Hill Lane.

And after two years of daily, home-produced honey intake, Mr Thorn realised his hayfever symptoms had disappeared.

“The theory that eating local honey can help hayfever has been around for a long time,” said Mr Thorn.

The idea is that the product contains the nectar from surrounding flowers, which causes an allergic reaction in hayfever sufferers. By eating small doses of the offending substance, the honey acts like an inoculation and allows the body to acclimatise to the pollen and guard against it…

Video: Honey Used to Treat Soldiers in Iraq

Healing Power of Honey
Fox News, 8/19/2008

Honey isn’t just being used to sweeten your tea anymore. Now doctors are using it to help patients heal quicker.

Propolis Suppresses Tryptophan Degradation

Immunomodulatory Effects of Turkish Propolis: Changes in Neopterin Release and Tryptophan Degradation
Immunobiology, Article in Press

Abstract: In most of the diseases which are considered to benefit from propolis, cellular immune reaction is activated, neopterin levels in body fluids are increased and enhanced tryptophan degradation is observed.

In this study, the immunomodulatory effects of six Turkish propolis samples were evaluated by using the in vitro model of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)…

Results show an immunomodulatory effect of propolis extracts which includes down-regulation of IDO activity. IDO enzyme is considered to play an important role in the development of immunodeficiency and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patient with chronic inflammation. The suppression of tryptophan degradation by propolis extracts may therefore be related with some of its beneficial health properties in humans.

Discovery of Bee Virus May Help Unravel Colony Collapse Disorder Mystery

Bee Researchers Unveil Tool to Chase Colony Collapse Disorder
The University of Montana (USA), 8/29/2008

University of Montana researchers and their UM-affiliated company, Bee Alert Technology Inc., have employed a powerful new tool created by a U.S. Army lab to discover a honeybee virus invading North America.

The new virus does not cause Colony Collapse Disorder – a mysterious malady depopulating beehives around the globe – but the method used to find the virus may help scientists unravel the CCD mystery in the future.

The invading bee virus is called Varroa destructor virus-1. First definitively identified in Europe in 2006, VDV-1 is carried by both honeybees and the tiny varroa mites that afflict them…

Bee Pollen Recommended for Hot Flashes

Dr. Gott: Bee Pollen Assuages Hot Flashes
Northwest Herald (USA), 9/1/2008

Dear Dr. Gott: I read your letter from the 57-year-old lady with hot flashes. I also was bothered with the problem until someone told me to take bee pollen. I took 550 milligrams twice daily and haven’t had any flashes for years. I hope you can pass this on.

Dear Reader: Hot flashes occur when a portion of the brain known as the hypothalamus gets mixed signals and cannot determine whether the body is hot or cold.

The action causes blood vessels to expand and contract in an irregular pattern. An increased flow of blood triggers a feeling of heat, with flushing of the face, neck and chest...

Flashes deplete the body of B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and vitamin C. Supplements to counteract those depletions and deter flashes are available in the form of vitamin E in dosages between 400 and 800 IU daily; bioflavonoids in dosages of 250 milligrams five to six times daily; evening primrose oil; chickweed tincture; ginseng; bee pollen in doses of 500 milligrams taken three times a day; and more...

If the bee pollen works for you, stick with it.

For others who want to try supplements, you might give bee pollen a try. Please let me know of its success or failure so I can report back.

Propolis Component Inhibits Growth of Tumor Cells

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Preferentially Enhanced Radiosensitizing and Increased Oxidative Stress in Medulloblastoma Cell Line
Child's Nervous System, Issue Volume 24, Number 9 / September, 2008

Abstract: Objectives Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis, was recently reported to have radiosensitizing effects on medulloblastoma (MB) cells. However, the mechanisms of radiosensitivity involved in medulloblastoma cells are still unclear. The specific aim of this study was to investigate the role of CAPE-induced oxidative stress to influence of radiosensitivity and anti-proliferative effects in medulloblastoma cells…

Results: The results indicated that CAPE inhibited the growth of Daoy cells. CAPE treatment in Daoy cells could effectively decrease glutathione reductase and significantly increase glutathione peroxidase. Radiation-activated NF-κB was reversed by CAPE pretreatment. Finally, the result of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP–biotin nick end labeling assay showed that CAPE treatment can enhance radiation-induced apoptosis in Daoy cells.

Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the anti-proliferative and radiosensitizing effects of CAPE on MB cells, which may be achievable through depleting GSH, increased ROS activity, and inhibiting NF-κB activity.

Study Explains Medicinal Properties of Propolis

Immunomodulatory Effects of Turkish Propolis: Changes in Neopterin Release and Tryptophan Degradation
Immunobiology, Article in Press

Abstract: In most of the diseases which are considered to benefit from propolis, cellular immune reaction is activated, neopterin levels in body fluids are increased and enhanced tryptophan degradation is observed.

In this study, the immunomodulatory effects of six Turkish propolis samples were evaluated by using the in vitro model of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)…

Results show an immunomodulatory effect of propolis extracts which includes down-regulation of IDO activity. IDO enzyme is considered to play an important role in the development of immunodeficiency and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patient with chronic inflammation.

The suppression of tryptophan degradation by propolis extracts may therefore be related with some of its beneficial health properties in humans.

Oleander Honey is Poisonous

In Theory, Even Honey Made From Oleanders' Nectar is Poisonous
The Arizona Republic (USA), 8/30/2008

If bees make honey with nectar from oleander flowers, is the honey poisonous?

Yes. Oleanders are pretty much all-around poisonous from the roots to the leaves to the sap in the branches.

Among other things, they contain oleandrin, which can paralyze the heart.

The bees themselves are not affected by the oleanders' toxins, but at least, in theory, the honey from oleanders would be poisonous.

On the upside I couldn't find any records of anyone dying from such honey…