Propolis Induces Cancer Cell Death

Propolis from Turkey Induces Apoptosis Through Activating Caspases in Human Breast Carcinoma Cell Lines
Acta Histochemica, Article in Press

Propolis is a sticky substance that is collected from plants by honeybees that has anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties with biological and therapeutic effects. The target of this study was to investigate the anti-apoptotic effect of propolis extracts (PE) on the caspase pathway in the human breast cell line MCF-7 in culture…

We conclude that propolis may have anti-tumour effects by increasing apoptosis through the caspase pathway. Such propolis extracts may be important economically and allow development of a relatively inexpensive cancer treatment.

Bee Pollen Recommend to Aid Weight Loss

Curbing Cravings
By Kimberly Wesley, St. Louis Weight Loss Examiner, 9/3/2009

…Instead of pigging out on that pack of Oreo cookies followed by chocolate chip ice cream, maybe that craving can be fixed by other means...

Bee Pollen - Has 40% protein and is known to curb or reduce your appetite. Bee pollen is a natural supplement alternative which makes it even more appealing. Research also suggests that Bee Pollen may even regulate you weight if taken correctly and regularly.

The Health Benefits of Royal Jelly

Health Tip of the Day: Benefits of Royal Jelly
Tayyar, 9/5/2009

For decades Royal Jelly has been widely used as an addition to man’s diet acting as a natural 'health supplement'. Royal Jelly is an entirely natural substance that is created by bees that is packed full of nutritional bounty…

Health benefits of Royal Jelly

People who intake Royal Jelly commonly express the opinion that it helps slow down the ageing process, improves a person’s vitality and energy levels, improves the condition of the skin and improves the strength and condition of the hair and nails. It has also been used for helping control cholesterol levels and to improve sexual vitality.

The range of nutritional content in Royal Jelly is impressive. It includes Vitamins: A, C, D, E, B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12. It is also a good source of Folic acid.

It is around 12% protein and has all 8 of the essential amino acids that the body cannot manufacture, but needs to be supplied with. These amino acids are essential for growth and repair of our cells and tissues and are thought to be of great importance in helping combat 'free radicals' in the body.

It also has a good balance of lipids and carbohydrates as well as aspartic acid which is used in growth and repair of cells and tissues.

Royal Jelly also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

Bee Venom Therapy May Trigger Flare-Up of Lupus

A New Onset of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Developed After Bee Venom Therapy
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine, Vol. 24, No. 3, September 2009

Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease of an unknown origin, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be triggered by numerous stimuli. Bee venom therapy is an alternative therapy that is believed to be effective for various kinds of arthritis. We present here a case of a 49-year-old female who experienced a new onset lupus after undergoing bee venom therapy, and this looked like a case of angioedema. The patient was successfully treated with high dose steroids and antimalarial drugs. We discuss the possibility of bee venom contributing to the development of SLE, and we suggest that such treatment should be avoided in patients with lupus…

Discussion

The idea of using bee venom as a treatment for arthritic symptoms is not a new one, and it is thought to have originated during ancient times. Bee venom is effective in murine arthritic models and it has also shown effectiveness in human trials. Its effectiveness is thought to be mediated through inhibition of macrophages and lymphocytes, which leads to decreased IL-1/IL-2 production and inhibition of NF-κb.

In addition, bee venom’s anti-nociceptive effects were found to be mediated though alpha-2 adrenoceptors. At the same time, it is also well known that bee venom can inflict severe complications such as anaphylaxis.

We cannot be entirely sure of the role of bee venom in our patient because rechallenge experiments could not be done. Also, the possibility of having an underlying infection as a precipitating factor cannot be totally refuted. However, considering the temporal sequence of the patient’s clinical history, it is likely that a mild subclinical level of lupus activity must have been ongoing, and it seems very likely that the venom triggered the borderline disease into a full-blown onset of overt lupus…

In conclusion, although bee venom therapy may be effective, taking a careful pre-treatment history and clinical evaluation must be done before starting treatment. It also should be noted that bee venom therapy may cause a flare-up of lupus, and this can happen in previously diagnosed patients, so prudence is needed before treating such patients.

Video: Minn. TV Anchor Wears Bee Beard to Raise Awareness

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (WCCO) ― Don Shelby has been a beekeeper and has a lot of concern about the disappearing number of hives around the world. To help raise awareness, he got up close and personal with a few thousand bees at the Minnesota State Fair.

Newly-Discovered Molecule Augments Manuka Honey Antibacterial Activity

Honey Breakthrough Reveals Manuka’s Secrets
Press Release: University of Waikato

New research on New Zealand's world-famous antibacterial manuka honey has unveiled another of its secrets.

Watson and Son, a major New Zealand producer of manuka honey, in collaboration with Professor Peter Molan of Waikato University’s Honey Research Unit, has commissioned research by a specialist research laboratory in Singapore, which shows that a special molecule acts to augment the antibacterial activity of methylglyoxal in the honey – a process known as synergy.

The unique type of antibacterial activity in manuka honey was discovered in research at the University of Waikato in 1982. Evidence shows manuka’s special antibacterial properties are effective at healing wounds, but research also shows that this activity is present in only some manuka honeys.

Last year, Waikato University Associate Professor Merilyn Manley-Harris of the Chemistry Department, showed that methylglyoxal was responsible for the antibacterial activity in manuka honey.

However Prof Molan has long maintained there is also a synergy at work in the honey and last October, New Zealand beekeeper-chemist Denis Watson commissioned a specialist research laboratory in Singapore to investigate several active fractions in manuka honey. Mr Watson is one of New Zealand’s largest manuka producers. In partnership with iwi groups in the Far North he has more than 15,000 beehives in manuka plantations around New Zealand.

Dr Manley-Harris and Prof Molan say they are delighted companies are taking the initiative to commission research of this calibre.

The results have proven the existence of a formerly secret synergist: a special molecule that combines with the methylglyoxal molecule and other fractions in the honey to create the very powerful antibacterial activity the honey is world famous for. The discovery is also the key to understanding why the clinically proven antibacterial activity is so effective and why international research to date has shown that bacteria fail to develop the resistance that is inevitable with conventional antibiotics…

Honey Not Altered by Gamma Radiation Sterilization

Effect of Gamma Radiation on Honey Quality Control
Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Volume 78, Issues 7-8, July-August 2009, Pages 583-584

Honey is one of the most complex substances produced by bees, mainly from the nectar of flowers. Gamma radiation is a technique that can be used to decrease the number of microbiological problems associated with food and increase the shelf life of certain products.

The objective of this study was to verify the effect of gamma radiation with source of cobalto-60 (10 kGy) on some parameters used in honey quality control. Seven samples of pure honey were obtained from local markets in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2007. The methods used are in accordance with Brazilian Regulations. The physicochemical parameters analyzed were: moisture, HMF, free acidity, pH, sugars and ash.

The results showed that gamma radiation, in the dose mentioned above, did not cause significant physicochemical alterations.

Malaysian Study Shows Effectiveness of Honey on Wound Healing

The Efficacy of Honey Dressing on Wound Healing: A Clinical Observation Study
Kamaruddin Mohd Yusoff, Anwar Suhaimi, Zainabe Syed Akka and Mohd.Yassim Mohd Yusof
Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya
[The results of this study will be presented at Apimondia 2009 in France.]

Honey dressings were performed on 102 patients with wounds and ulcers that had failed to heal with conventional treatment. The conventional treatments include oral antibiotic (tablets or intravenous), cleaning the wounds with saline and dressing with povidine-iodine. Wounds were defined as having failed to heal after being exposed to conventional treatment for up to one month.

All 102 cases showed recovery at remarkable pace. All wounds were infected before honey treatment starts. Wound sterility was achieved by the third week of treatment. Honey promoted wound healing by causing rapid debridement, clearance of sloughs and absorption of oedema. Honey also promoted rapid production of granulation tissue.

Honey dressing is highly recommended for wounds and ulcers that are difficult to heal. The healing time is much reduced and some patients were saved from amputations. It is high time for this natural remedy be given due recognition by conventional medicine.

Honey is Both a Superfood and Medicine

Margie King, Philadelphia Nutrition Examiner, 9/2/2009

…In addition to its many culinary uses, honey has a long and impressive resume as a medicinal healer. In traditional medicine it has been used for treating gastric ulcers, burns, high blood pressure, sore throat and dry cough.

Modern medicine is also now recognizing the medicinal benefits of honey. In 2007, research out of Penn State College of Medicine concluded that a small amount of buckwheat honey before bed was more effective than over-the-counter cough suppressants for children over 2 years of age.

Also in 2007, the FDA approved a line of wound care dressings lined in honey produced by Derma Sciences, Inc. Because honey is high in sugar and low in moisture it has been traditionally used to fight bacterial growth, producing hydrogen peroxide as it draws moisture from wounds. It also contributes to reduced swelling and inflammation.

In addition, honey has been shown to aid digestion, and an Oklahoma allergist even claims that one teaspoon of raw honey every day is effective to treat 90% of allergies…

Saving Bees: What We Know Now

New York Times, 9/2/2009

The first alarms about the sudden widespread disappearance of honeybees came in late 2006, and the phenomenon soon had a name: colony collapse disorder. In the two years that followed, about one-third of bee colonies vanished, while researchers toiled to figure out what was causing the collapse. A study published last week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences surmises that there may not be a single pathogen involved but a collection of culprits. What have entomologists and beekeepers learned in the last few years of dealing with the crisis? We asked May R. Berenbaum, an author of the study, and other experts for an update.

Kim Flottum, editor, Bee Culture
Joe Traynor, California bee broker
May R. Berenbaum, entomologist, University of Illinois
Marla Spivak, entomologist, University of Minnesota
Diana Cox-Foster, entomologist, Pennsylvania State University

Humans, Bees Not at Risk From Heated HFCS, Says CRA

By Jess Halliday, Food Navigator, 9/1/2009

Storage standards and temperature control for HFCS mean human health is not at risk from the formation of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), the Corn Refiners Association asserts, which also refutes suggestions that the toxin could be a factor in honeybee colony collapse disorder.

Video: Bee Venom Therapy in Chile (Spanish)

Book Explores Myth, Science of Honey

By Jim Danielson, The Lincoln Journal Star, 9/1/2009

("Letters From the Hive: An Intimate History of Bees, Honey, and Humankind" by Stephen Buchmann with Banning Repplier, Bantam, 221 pages, $14 paperback).

Most of us have little knowledge of honey. We're content to buy little plastic spouted bottles, cover our toast or pancakes with sweetness and go on with our day, or buy little bears filled with it from cute children selling them at our front door.

But honey has a famous past and a dubious future. Honey has played major roles in war and love, in religion and death, had a profound influence on economics in parts of the world and has been heralded as a cure for what ails you.

"Letters from the Hive" takes you down a path, from ancient history to modern discoveries, which will keep you from ever thinking about it again as just honey. For example, did you know that Egyptian royals were buried with pots of honey? The Paris Opera House has five bee hives. The King James Bible alludes to bees springing forth in immaculate conception. The modern bee hive was created about the time of our Civil War. The full moon of every month in our calendar has a name, and one month is the honey moon. Which month is it? No, not June…

Canadian Hospital Uses Honey on Burns

RUH Burn Unit a Tribute to Teamwork
By Bob Florence, The StarPhoenix, 8/31/2009

…Honey is the active ingredient in a dressing that is applied to burns or wounds. This is special, import honey. It's made by bees that pollinate Manuka, a type of tree almost exclusive to New Zealand.

"Growing up at home, we put Manuka honey on cuts and burns all the time," said Colleen Ferguson-Smith, a native of New Zealand who is in her second year as manager of the major surgery ward at RUH.

Let's give it a go here, she said.

Shauna Elek is the clinical co-ordinator of the unit. In her office, cartons of Medihoney compete for shelf space with binders labelled Advanced Burn Life Support and Acute Burn Management and Burns Resource…

Video: West Virginia Honey Festival

The Buzz Was The Honey Festival
WTAP-TV, 8/29/2009

This year's West Virginia Honey Festival has not only brought in the avid bee lovers, but it's also their best crowd to date.