Dr. Weil Recommends Raw Honey

Is Honey Healthier Than Sugar?
Dr. Weil’s Daily Tip, 12/12/2011

If you are trying to reduce your intake of refined sugar, honey is one alternative. Honey has some health benefits over sugar, as it:

•Is sweeter than refined sugar, so you can use less.
•Contains trace enzymes; minerals, including calcium, magnesium and potassium; amino acids; and vitamins, including a wide range of B vitamins such as riboflavin, pantothenic acid, niacin, thiamin and pyridoxine.

Raw honey may even help promote wound healing - research indicates it can be an excellent first aid measure when applied topically to burns, even very severe ones. (Don't treat a serious wound with the honey you get at the supermarket or health food store - you need a medicinal honey and someone with expertise to treat you.)...

Brazilian Green Propolis Extract Effective Alternative Treatment for Fungal Infections

Antifungal Efficacy of Brazilian Green Propolis Extracts and Honey on Tinea capitis and Tinea versicolor
European Journal of Integrative Medicine, Volume 3, Issue 4, December 2011, Pages e275-e281

Aim of the study

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Tinea capitis and Tinea versicolor, and evaluate the efficacy of bee products in management of skin disorders in Congolese school children.

Methodology

Medical screening and care for skin disorders were carried out in five Congolese schools from November 2010 to April 2011. Hematological and mycological analyses were performed. Of the 2728 children, there were 305 patients with either Tinea capitis or Tinea versicolor. Of them, 242 eligible patients were randomly allocated to one of the following topical treatment arms: 2% Miconazole; 50 mg/ml Brazilian green propolis extracts (BPE); 100 mg/ml BPE; Acasia honey or Vaseline.

Oneway ANOVA test was performed to assess the significance of the difference between treatment groups at baseline (day 1), adjusting for age, gender and the severity score of skin symptoms. Unpaired t-test was performed to assess the difference between treatments in terms of skin symptoms improvement, WBC count, leukocytes and erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR) on day 28 of treatment.

Results

This study showed that Miconazole, both BPE solutions and Acasia honey markedly improved erythema and desquamation (vs. Vaseline). In addition, 100 mg/ml BPE, 50 mg/ml BPE, Miconazole and Acasia honey also significantly relieved pruritus (vs. Vaseline). No major adverse effect was observed throughout the study.

Conclusions

Brazilian green propolis extracts improved skin lesions as efficiently as did Miconazole and may serve as an alternative treatment for Tinea mycosis.

Bee Venom Antimicrobial Peptide Shows Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Consequences of Alteration in the Leucine Zipper Sequence of Melittin in its Neutralization of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Pro-Inflammatory Response in Macrophage Cells and Interaction with Lipopolysaccharide
J Biol Chem, 2011 Nov 29

Bee venom antimicrobial peptide, melittin, besides showing versatile activity against microorganisms neutralizes lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory responses in macrophage cells.

However, how the amino acid sequence of melittin contributes in its anti-inflammatory properties is mostly unknown. To determine the importance of the leucine zipper sequence of melittin in its neutralization of LPS-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages and interaction with LPS, anti-inflammatory properties of melittin and its three analogues and their interactions with LPS were studied in detail.

Two of these analogues namely, melittin Mut-1 (MM-1) and melittin Mut-2 (MM-2) possess leucine to alanine substitutions in the single and double heptadic leucine residue(s) of melittin respectively while the third analogue is a scrambled peptide (Mel-SCR) which contains the amino acid composition of melittin with minor rearrangement in its leucine zipper sequence.

Though MM-1 partly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 and rat primary macrophage cells in the presence of LPS, MM-2 and Mel-SCR were negligibly active. A progressive decrease in interaction of melittin with LPS, aggregation in LPS and dissociation of LPS aggregates with alteration in the leucine zipper sequence of melittin was observed.

Further, with alteration in the leucine zipper sequence of melittin, these analogues failed to exhibit cellular responses that are associated with neutralization of LPS-induced inflammatory responses in macrophage cells by melittin.

The data indicated a probable important role of the leucine zipper sequence of melittin in neutralizing LPS-induced pro-inflammatory responses in macrophage cells as well as in its interaction with LPS…

Though further studies are required in understanding the role of this motif in these molecules, the data probably indicate that one can design anti-LPS or LPS-binding molecule based on this structural element.

Turkish Propolis Extract May Help Prevent Prostate Cancer

Effect of Turkish Propolis Extracts on Proteome of Prostate Cancer Cell Line
Proteome Science 2011, Published: 7 December 2011

Background

Propolis is a natural, resinous hive product that has several pharmacological activities. Its composition varies depending on the vegetation, climate, season and environmental conditions of the area from where it was collected. Surface enhanced laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) is a proteomic approach which has been used in cancer proteomics studies. Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men. It has shown that nutritional supplements rich in polyphenolic compounds such as propolis play a significant role in prostate cancer chemoprevention. The aim of this study is to evaluate if protein expression profile in PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines could be differentiated when incubated with dimethyl sulfoxide and water extracts of Turkish propolis.

Results

The antioxidant potentials of dimethyl sulfoxide and water extracts of propolis were found in correlation with the amount of total phenolic compounds of them. Dimethyl sulfoxide and water extracts of propolis of 20 ug/mL reduced the cell viability to 24.5% and 17.7 %, respectively. Statistically significant discriminatory peaks between control PC-3 cells and dimethyl sulfoxide extract of propolis-treated PC-3 cells were found to be the proteomic features at m/z 5143, 8703, 12661, 20184 and 32794, detected by CM10 ProteinChip, and the peak at m/z 3772, detected by Q10 ProteinChip. Between control PC-3 cells and water extract of propolis-treated PC-3 cells, statistically significant discriminatory peaks were found to be the proteomic features at m/z 15846, 16052 and 24658, detected by CM10 ProteinChip and the peaks at m/z 10348, 10899 and 11603, detected by Q10 ProteinChip.

Conclusions

It was concluded that dimethyl sulfoxide and water extracts of Turkish propolis may have anti-proliferative activity through differentiating protein expression profile in PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines along with their antioxidant capacity.

Royal Jelly May Help Treat Menopausal Syndrome

Effectiveness of a Herbal Formula in Women with Menopausal Syndrome
Forsch Komplementmed, 2011;18(5):264-8. Epub 2011 Oct 10

Background: Lady 4 is a combination of 4 natural components (evening primrose oil, damiana, ginseng, royal jelly) with a known history of traditional use for menopausal symptoms.

Objective: To study efficacy and safety of Lady 4 in women suffering from menopausal syndrome.

Methods: 120 women with menopausal symptoms were randomised into an experimental group treated with 2 capsules of Lady 4 daily and a control group treated with placebo. The outcome was measured by the Menopause Rating Scale II (MRS-II).

Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in the MRS-II score in both groups after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, but the improvement was significantly better in the Lady 4 group. 86.7% in the Lady 4 group and 56.7% in the placebo group rated the therapy success as 'much improved' or 'very much improved'.

Conclusion: Lady 4 may be beneficial in the treatment of menopausal syndrome and can be used as a safe natural promoter of health and well-being in women during the menopausal transition.

Bee Venom’s Anti-Inflammatory Properties Studied

Consequences of Alteration in the Leucine Zipper Sequence of Melittin in its Neutralization of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Pro-Inflammatory Response in Macrophage Cells and Interaction with Lipopolysaccharide
J Biol Chem, 2011 Nov 29

Bee venom antimicrobial peptide, melittin, besides showing versatile activity against microorganisms neutralizes lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory responses in macrophage cells. However, how the amino acid sequence of melittin contributes in its anti-inflammatory properties is mostly unknown.

To determine the importance of the leucine zipper sequence of melittin in its neutralization of LPS-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages and interaction with LPS, anti-inflammatory properties of melittin and its three analogues and their interactions with LPS were studied in detail. Two of these analogues namely, melittin Mut-1 (MM-1) and melittin Mut-2 (MM-2) possess leucine to alanine substitutions in the single and double heptadic leucine residue(s) of melittin respectively while the third analogue is a scrambled peptide (Mel-SCR) which contains the amino acid composition of melittin with minor rearrangement in its leucine zipper sequence.

Though MM-1 partly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 and rat primary macrophage cells in the presence of LPS, MM-2 and Mel-SCR were negligibly active. A progressive decrease in interaction of melittin with LPS, aggregation in LPS and dissociation of LPS aggregates with alteration in the leucine zipper sequence of melittin was observed. Further, with alteration in the leucine zipper sequence of melittin, these analogues failed to exhibit cellular responses that are associated with neutralization of LPS-induced inflammatory responses in macrophage cells by melittin.

The data indicated a probable important role of the leucine zipper sequence of melittin in neutralizing LPS-induced pro-inflammatory responses in macrophage cells as well as in its interaction with LPS.

Mexican Honeys Show Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

Quality Parameters and Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Some Mexican Honeys
J Food Sci, 2011 Dec 2

A total of 14 Mexican honeys were screened for quality parameters including color, moisture, proline, and acidity. Antioxidant properties of complete honey and its methanolic extracts were evaluated by the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of complete honeys against Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876, Listeria monocytogenes Scott A, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028, and Sthapylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 was determined.

Most of honeys analyzed showed values within quality parameters established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 2001. Eucalyptus flower honey and orange blossom honey showed the highest phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity. Bell flower, orange blossom, and eucalyptus flower honeys inhibited the growth of the 4 evaluated microorganisms. The remaining honeys affected at least 1 of the estimated growth parameters (increased lag phase, decreased growth rate, and/or maximum population density). Microorganism sensitivity to the antimicrobial activity of honeys followed the order B. cereus > L. monocytogenes > Salmonella Typhimurium > S. aureus.

The monofloral honey samples from orange blossoms, and eucalyptus flowers demonstrated to be good sources of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds. All the Mexican honey samples examined proved to be good sources of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents that might serve to maintain health and protect against several diseases.

Practical Application: The results of the study showed that Mexican honeys display good quality parameters and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Mexican honey can be used as an additive in the food industry to increase the nutraceutical value of products.

Treating Multiple Sclerosis with Bee Venom Therapy

AltMeds.com, 12/3/2011

Bee Venom therapy, sometimes called Bee Sting therapy, is a form of Apitherapy that may be a helpful treatment for those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is characterized by destruction of the myelin protective sheath that covers the spinal cord and nerves. While it is not clear why MS occurs, some believe it is an auto immune problem in which the immune system starts attacking the central nervous system. The tears, rips, and open spots in the covering of the nerves can “short circuit” the electrical signals that the brain and body use to communicate with one another.

Those who have MS suffer from symptoms that include hot flashes, dizziness, and incoordination. MS is a degenerative disease, meaning it progressively gets worse. There is currently no cure for MS. There are several medications that may help with some of the symptoms, but they have side effects. One of the treatments for MS, making a comeback from ancient Egyptian times, is bee venom therapy.

Why does bee venom help those with MS?

Bee venom therapy uses live honey bees for the benefits of their stingers. Some patients with MS who use bee venom therapy have noted decreased pain, increased coordination, and increased muscle strength.

So why would a bee sting help those with MS? Scientists believe it is because of two main ingredients in bee venom—adolapin and melittin. These compounds may reduce the pain and inflammation associated with MS. Bee venom therapy as a whole is thought to encourage the human body to release natural healing defenses to protect itself from the sting. These chemicals may heal other ailments in the body.

Pat Wagner, also known as “The Bee Lady” was diagnosed with MS at age 19. She claims on her website that bee venom therapy is the best treatment for MS. After receiving her initial bee stings, her hearing improved as well as her internal thermostat. She no longer felt chills, and she started moving around without her wheel chair. Her husband was so encouraged with her development that he bought a bee hive. She still uses bee venom therapy to this day…

Honey Boosts Burn Healing by Hydrogel Sheets

Hydrogel Sheets of Chitosan, Honey and Gelatin as Burn Wound Dressings
Carbohydrate Polymers, In Press

Abstract

A hydrogel sheet composed of chitosan, honey and gelatin (HS; 0.5:20:20 w/w) was developed as a burn wound dressing. HS showed powerful antibacterial efficacy up to 100% to S. aureus and E. coli, significantly superior to chitosan and honey used separately. A series of toxicological evaluations demonstrated that HS is not toxic and not irritatant to skin and body. An animal burn model was performed on the back of New Zealand rabbit, and treated respectively with HS, MEBO® ointment (Shantou MEBO pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Guangdong, China) and sterile gauze. The macroscopic image and histopathology were examined.

The results showed that HS had a significant effect on wound contraction with the shortest treatment duration of 12 days compared to MEBO® ointment and no treatment. Histological examination revealed that HS-treated burn wound was repaired with intact epidermis on day 12, but the wound treated with MEBO did not completely heal. Therefore, HS demonstrated its potential as a treatment.

Highlights

• Hydrogel sheets produced from chitosan, honey and gelatin in different ratios
• The swelling property, mechanical property, antibacterial activity and morphology of the hydrogels were characterized
• Wound treatment was carried out with the hydrogel sample HS, MEBO ointment and no treatment
• HS-treated wounds heal with intact epidermis whereas MEBO-treated ones do not heal completely

Propolis May Help Treat Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

Propolis Can Potentialise the Anti-Adhesion Activity of proanthocyanidins on Uropathogenic Escherichia coli in the Prevention of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
BMC Research Notes 2011, 4:522

Background

Escherichia coli, the main bacteria found in recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI), is now frequently resistant to several currently used antibiotic treatments making new solutions essential. In this study, we evaluated the association of propolis and proanthocyanidins type A to reduce bacterial anti-adhesion activity of E. coli on urothelial cells.

Results

This first double-blind, randomized, cross-over human trial included 5 volunteers that followed 6 different regimens with or without variable doses of cranberry and propolis with a washout period of at least 1 week between each regimen. Urine samples were collected at 0 h, 4-6 h, 12 h and 24 h after cranberry plus propolis or placebo capsule consumption. In vivo urinary bacterial anti-adhesion activity was assessed with a bioassay (a human T24 epithelial cell-line assay) and an in vivo Caenorhabditis elegans model. HPLC-PDA-MS was used to detect propolis and cranberry compounds in urine.

Bioassays indicated significant bacterial anti-adhesion activity in urine collected from volunteers who had consumed cranberry plus propolis powder compared to placebo (p < 0.001). This inhibition was clearly dose-dependent, increasing with the amount of PACs and propolis equivalents consumed in each regimen.

Results suggested that propolis had an additional effect with PACs and prevent a bacterial anti-adhesion effect over 1 day. An in vivo model showed that the E. coli strain presented a reduced ability to kill C. elegans after their growth in urine samples of patients who took cranberry plus propolis capsules. HPLC confirmed that propolis is excreted in urine.

Conclusions

This study presents an alternative to prevent recurrent UTI. Administration of PACs plus propolis once daily offers some protection against bacterial adhesion, bacterial multiplication and virulence in the urinary tract, representing an interesting new strategy to prevent recurrent UTI.

Review Looks at Use of Bee Venom in Cancer Therapy

Bee Venom in Cancer Therapy
Cancer Metastasis Rev, 2011 Nov 23

Bee venom (BV) (api-toxin) has been widely used in the treatment of some immune-related diseases, as well as in recent times in treatment of tumors. Several cancer cells, including renal, lung, liver, prostate, bladder, and mammary cancer cells as well as leukemia cells, can be targets of bee venom peptides such as melittin and phospholipase A2.

The cell cytotoxic effects through the activation of PLA2 by melittin have been suggested to be the critical mechanism for the anti-cancer activity of BV. The induction of apoptotic cell death through several cancer cell death mechanisms, including the activation of caspase and matrix metalloproteinases, is important for the melittin-induced anti-cancer effects.

The conjugation of cell lytic peptide (melittin) with hormone receptors and gene therapy carrying melittin can be useful as a novel targeted therapy for some types of cancer, such as prostate and breast cancer.

This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding potential of bee venom and its compounds such as melittin to induce cytotoxic, antitumor, immunomodulatory, and apoptotic effects in different tumor cells in vivo or in vitro.

The recent applications of melittin in various cancers and a molecular explanation for the antiproliferative properties of bee venom are discussed.

Royal Jelly May Help Treat colitis

The Effect of Royal Jelly on CD3+, CD5+, CD45+ T-Cell and CD68+ Cell Distribution in the Colon of Rats With Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis
Allergologia et Immunopathologia, In Press

Background

Traditional medicines and health supplements have historically been used to treat many illnesses but most of them have not been evaluated objectively to prove their efficacy. We have been investigating the effects of royal jelly (RJ) supplements on acetic acid-induced colitis on the distribution of CD3+, CD5+, CD45+ T-cell and CD68+ cells in rats.

Methods

The rats were divided into four equal groups: control group, royal jelly-treated (RJ – 150 mg kg−1 body weight), acetic acid-treated (colitis) and acetic acid-treated (colitis) + royal jelly (CRJ – 150 mg kg−1 body weight). Colitis was induced by intracolonic instillation of 4% acetic acid; the control group received physiological saline (10 mL kg−1). Colon samples were obtained under deep anaesthesia from animals in four groups. Tissues were fixed in 10% formalin neutral buffer solution for 24 h and embedded in paraffin.

Results

The proliferative response of CD3+ and CD45+ T cells stimulated with colitis was affected by colitis treated with RJ. No differences were found in CD5+ T cells and CD68+ macrophages in the colitis treated with RJ.

Conclusions

This study has shown that RJ has anti-inflammatory and cell regeneration effect in the colon of rats with acetic acid induced colitis.

Study: Manuka Honey Contains Unique High Molecular Weight Compounds

Compositional Analysis of Manuka Honeys by High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry: Identification of a Manuka-Enriched Archetypal Molecule
Food Chemistry, In Press, Accepted Manuscript

Manuka honey is used medicinally as a wound-healing dressing and possesses antibacterial bioactivities. It also possesses immunomodulating properties, comprising both anti-inflammatory and immune stimulating activities.

At present its active components have not been identified.

Given the importance of manuka honey as a therapeutic, we performed high-resolution Fourier-transform mass spectrometry analysis, in order to gain an insight into its complex make-up, as well as examining other honeys derived from different floral origins and storage conditions.

Our analyses show that manuka-derived honeys contain unique compounds, particularly in the high molecular weight range, compared to other honeys from other floral species. Storage conditions also directly impact on the molecular composition.

An archetypal mother molecule specific to manuka honey was identified that may serve as a precursor store for free 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid and provide a means of fingerprinting manuka honeys.

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Use Bee Venom Face Masks

Skin Saver: To Bee or Not to Bee?
By Marilyn Kalfus, The Orange County Register, 11/29/2011

What to make of reports that celebrities are using facial masks with bee venom to iron away wrinkles? We showed you one from the Daily Mail yesterday about Kate Middleton. And last year Duchess of Cornwall Camilla, 64, shown above, was said to have paid £55 ( about $86) for a facial at a bee-venom salon.

If so, the results probably didn't last for long.

Dr. Vince Afsahi, a dermatologist in Newport Beach and Tustin and a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at USC, says:

"Bee venom is the latest cosmetic fad which is trying to compete with the likes of Botox and fillers for wrinkle treatment. The research and scientific studies are non-existent or anecdotal at best. Some creams act like mild irritants to the skin, causing mild swelling and increased blood flow. This results in softening of creases and lines only temporarily…

Honey: Current Research and Clinical Applications

Editors: Juraj Majtan (Institute of Zoology SAS, Bratislava, Slovakia)

Book Description:

In the last few years, with increasing frequency, modern medicine directs attention to natural products with biological and therapeutic properties and their use in clinical practice. The major arguments for implementing natural products, such as honey, are low cost and the absence of antimicrobial resistance risk. This book presents original current research and clinical results on the leading edge of honey research. Topics discussed include the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties of honey; possible anticancer and anti-diabetic properties of honey; immunomodulatory effects of honey on cutenous and immune cells during wound healing process; topical applications of honey and the use of honey in the treatment of burns, non-healing wounds and eye diseases. (Imprint: Nova Biomedical)

Table of Contents:

Preface

Chapter 1. Selected topics on honey volatile organic compounds research
(Igor Jerković)

Chapter 2. Honey melanoidins: Emerging novel understanding on the mechanism of antioxidant and antibacterial action of honey
(Katrine Brudzinsky)

Chapter 3. Anticancer activity of honey and its phenolic components
(Saravana Kumar Jaganathan and Mahitosh Mandal)

Chapter 4. Honey and microbes
(Laïd Boukraâ and Yuva Bellik)

Chapter 5. Antibiofilm activity of honey
(Juraj Majtan, Jana Bohova, Miroslava Horniackova and Viktor Majtan)

Chapter 6. Effect of honey on immune and cutaneous cells
(Juraj Majtan)

Chapter 7. Possible anti-diabetic effects of honey
(Karsten Münstedt and Philipp Teichfischer)

Chapter 8. Honey and male reproductive health
(Mahaneem Mohamed)

Chapter 9. Topical application of honey
(Biswa M. Biswal and Rajan Sain)

Chapter 10. Honey in treatment of burn wounds
(Mutya Subrahmanyam)

Chapter 11. The efficacy of honey dressing on chronic wounds and ulcers
(Kamaruddin Mohd Yusoff, Zainabe Syed Akka, Anwar Suhaimi, Mohd Razif Mohd Ali and Mohd Yassim Mohd Yusoff)

Chapter 12. Honey for treating eye diseases
(Juraj Majtan, Martin Cernak, Nora Majtanova and Andrej Cernak)

Pub. Date: 2012 2nd Quarter