Propolis Can Help Stabilize Natural Beauty Products

Is Propolis the Key to Safe Natural Emulsion Products? - Chromatography Explores

Chromatography Today

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As consumers become more conscious of their health and the effect they can have on the environment they turn to natural and organic products. In a 2018 UK report, the Soil Association reported that the growth in the UK market for organic food and drink increased for the sixth year in a row, this time by 6% with total sales of £2.2 billion.

And it is not just food and drink products that are seeing an increase in sales. In 2017, the Soil Association reported that sales of health and beauty products increased by over 20% — with the UK market worth over £61 million. A recent paper published in the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal — Effect of poplar-type propolis on oxidative stability and rheological properties of O/W emulsions — has investigated whether propolis can help to make natural beauty products stable.

Propolis Reduces Risk of Colon Cancer (changes in bowel habits, diarrhea, constipation, rectal bleeding, cramps, sudden weight loss, weakness, and fatigue)

Propolis can reduce the risks of Colon cancer, study claims

Top Health Journal

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Honey isn’t the only product by the bees. Bees also produce a greenish-blue, glue-like substance named “Propolis”. It is a mixture of bees’ saliva, beeswax, and the nectar they collect from flowers and buds. Propolis is used by the bees for coating their hives and sealing the superfluous gaps present in it.

History also reveals plentiful benefactions offered by propolis. It has long been used by the Greeks to treat swelling and blisters while the Assyrians treated infections with propolis and used it to improve the process of healing. The Egyptians used it to prevent the decay of mummies.

In addition, a recent study has proved propolis to be effective against the spreading of colon cancer.

Colon cancer is the third most frequently occurring cancer all around the globe. One individual in every twenty people is diagnosed with colon cancer. Colon cancer is caused by genetic alterations inside the body which causes the Polyps to turn into cancerous cells. Polyps are present naturally underlying the gut region. At the point of initiation, polyps form small and benign clumps of cells which over the time turn metastatic causing the death of the organism directly.

The symptoms of the diseases include changes in bowel habits, diarrhea, constipation, rectal bleeding, cramps, sudden weight loss, weakness, and fatigue...

Bee Pollen May Help Treat Neurological Disorders

Therapeutic and Protective Potency of Bee Pollen Against Neurotoxic Effects Induced by Prenatal Exposure of Rats to Methyl Mercury

J Mol Neurosci. 2018 Jun 26

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MeHg is a widely distributed environmental toxicant with harmful effects on the developing and adult nervous system.

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic and protective efficacy of pollen grain in improving the toxic effects of MeHg, through the measurement of selected biochemical parameters linked to oxidative stress, energy metabolism, and neurotransmission in brain homogenates of male pups' neonates.

Forty healthy pregnant female rats were randomly divided into five groups, and after delivery, each group was consisting of 10 male neonates: (1) neonates delivered by control mothers, (2) neonates delivered by bee pollen treated mothers who received bee pollen at the dose of 200-mg/kg body weight from postnatal day 0 for 4 weeks, (3) neonates delivered by MeHg-treated mothers who received MeHg at the dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day via drinking water from gestational day 7 till postnatal day 7 of delivery, (4) therapeutic group: neonates delivered by MeHg-treated mothers followed by bee pollen treatment who received bee pollen at the dose of 200-mg/kg body weight from postnatal day 0 for 4 weeks, and (5) protective group: neonates delivered by MeHg and bee pollen-treated mothers. Mothers continued receiving the bee pollen at the same dose until day 21.

Biochemical parameters linked to oxidative stress and energy metabolism and neurotransmission were investigated in brain homogenates of neonates from all the five groups. MeHg treatment showed an increase in oxidative stress markers like lipid peroxidation and catalase activity coupled with a non-significant decrease in glutathione level. Impaired energy metabolism was ascertained via the inhibition of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities.

Dramatic decrease of Mg2+ and K+ concentrations confirmed the neurotransmission defect. Interestingly, the bee pollen treatment was highly effective in restoring the catalase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase activities in addition to normalizing the levels of Mg2+, K+, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione.

Overall, the exposure to MeHg during the developing brain stages was highly effective to show signs and symptoms of neuronal toxicity. Furthermore, it has been concluded that bee pollen can be used safely to ameliorate oxidative stress, poor detoxification as well as metal ion defects, and neuronal death as a critical mechanisms involved in the etiology of numerous neurological disorders.

Honey Flavonoid Reduces Diabetes-Induced Blood Lipids - Is Antiviral, Antimicrobial, Anti-Diabetic and Anti-Cancer Properties

Galangin, a dietary flavonoid, ameliorates hyperglycaemia and lipid abnormalities in rats with streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia

Pharm Biol. 2018 Dec;56(1):302-308

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CONTEXT:

Galangin, a natural flavonoid, is found in honey and Alpinia officinarum Hance (Zingiberaceae). Galangin has antiviral, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and anticancer properties, without side effects. The effects of galangin on hyperglycaemia and lipid abnormalities are not known.

OBJECTIVE:

To elucidate the effectiveness of galangin on hyperglycaemia-associated complications and lipid changes in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycaemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Diabetes was induced in adult Wistar rats by administering 40 mg/kg of STZ. In our previous study, galangin had no toxicity at concentrations up to 320 mg/kg. Therefore three doses of galangin (4, 8 or 16 mg/kg BW) or glibenclamide (600 µg/kg BW) were administered daily to diabetic rats orally for 45 days.

RESULTS:

Diabetic rats showed a significant (p < 0.05) increased levels of plasma glucose (281.10 mg/dL) and decreased levels of insulin (6.01 μU/mL). Additionally, diabetic rats showed a significant (p < 0.05) increased levels of plasma lipid profiles such as total cholesterol (149.05 mg/dL), triglycerides (143.28 mg/dL), free fatty acids (139.37 mg/dL), phospholipids (127.53 mg/dL), plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (98.72 mg/dL), plasma very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (28.65 mg/dL), and significant (p < 0.05) decreased in plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (21.68 mg/dL). When galangin was administered to the hyperglycaemic rats, plasma glucose and insulin levels and lipid profiles reverted to levels similar to those in healthy control rats.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

Administration of galangin reduced hyperlipidaemia related to the risk of diabetic complications and could be beneficial for diabetic hyperlipidaemic patients. Further work detailing its mechanism-of-action for improving hyperglycaemic-associated lipid abnormalities is needed.

Bee Venom May Help Treat Parkinson's Disease

Comparison of Administration Routes on the Protective Effects of Bee Venom Phospholipase A2 in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease

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Front Aging Neurosci. 2018 Jun 11;10:179

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. Progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and their synaptic terminal connections in the striatum are main characterizations of PD. Although many efforts have been made to develop therapeutics, no treatment has been proven effective. We previously demonstrated that bvPLA2 can protect dopaminergic neurons by modulating neuroinflammatory responses in an MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine)-induced mouse model of PD. The cellular basis for the neuroprotective response of bvPLA2 was the induction of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), a population known to suppress immune activation and maintain homeostasis and tolerance to self-antigen.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different routes of bvPLA2 administration in a PD mouse model. Neurobehavioral assessment revealed progressive deterioration in locomotor functions of the MPTP group compared with the control group. However, such functions were improved following subcutaneous (s.c.) bvPLA2 administration. The results showed that the s.c. route of bvPLA2 administration contributed to the induction of Treg cells and the reduction of Th1 and Th17 populations, demonstrating that the neuroprotective effects were associated with reduced tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive dopaminergic neurons and microglia. These results suggested that the s.c. bvPLA2 injection could be beneficial for treating aspects of PD.

Propolis Helps Treat Nail Fungus (Onychomycosis, Fungal Infection of Nails)

Propolis Extract for Onychomycosis Topical Treatment: From Bench to Clinic

Front Microbiol. 2018 Apr 25;9:779

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Onychomycosis is a chronic fungal infection of nails, commonly caused by dermatophyte fungi, primarily species of Trichophyton. Because of the limited drug arsenal available to treat general fungal infections and the frequent failure of onychomycosis treatment, the search for new therapeutic sources is essential, and topical treatment with natural products for onychomycosis has been encouraged.

Propolis, an adhesive resinous compound produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera), has shown multiple biological properties including significant antifungal and anti-biofilm activities in vitro. In spite of promising in vitro results, in vivo results have not been reported so far. This study assessed an ethanol propolis extract (PE) as a topical therapeutic option for onychomycosis, including its characterization in vitro and its applicability as a treatment for onychomycosis (from bench to clinic).

The in vitro evaluation included analysis of the cytotoxicity and the antifungal activity against the planktonic cells and biofilm formed by Trichophyton spp. We also evaluated the capacity of PE to penetrate human nails. Patients with onychomycosis received topical PE treatments, with a 6-month follow-up period.

The results of the in vitro assays showed that PE was non-toxic to the cell lines tested, and efficient against both the planktonic cells and the biofilm formed by Trichophyton spp. The results also showed that PE is able to penetrate the human nail. The results for PE applied topically to treat onychomycosis were promising, with complete mycological and clinical cure of onychomycosis in 56.25% of the patients. PE is an inexpensive commercially available option, easy to obtain and monitor.

Our results indicated that PE is a promising natural compound for onychomycosis treatment, due to its ability to penetrate the nail without cytotoxicity, and its good antifungal performance against species such as Trichophyton spp. that are resistant to conventional antifungals, both in vitro and in patients.

Red Propolis Inhibits Inflammatory Angiogenesis

Effect of red propolis on hamster cheek pouch angiogenesis in a new sponge implant model

Acta Cir Bras. 2018 May;33(5):420-430

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PURPOSE:

To evaluate the effects of red propolis on cheek pouch angiogenesis in a hamster new model sponge implant.

METHODS:

Forty eight animals divided into eight groups. (Groups I-IV), the animals were treated for 15 days before and 10 days after sponge implantation. (Groups V-VIII), the animals were treated for 10 days after sponge implantation (GI and GV: red propolis 100 mg/kg, GII and GVI: celecoxib 20 mg/kg, GIII and GVII: 1% gum arabic 5 mL/kg, GIV and GVIII: distilled water 5 mL/kg). On the 11th day of implantation, the animals were anesthetized for stereoscopic microscopic imaging and morphometric quantification of angiogenesis (SQAN), followed by histopathological evaluation (H&E).

RESULTS:

In the SQAN analysis, no significant difference was found between the groups. However, on histology, propolis was found reduce the population of mastocytes in the qualitative analyses (p = 0,013) in the quantitative analyses to reduce the number of blood vessels (p = 0,007), and increase the macrophage count (p = 0,001).

CONCLUSION:

Red propolis inhibited inflammatory angiogenesis when administered before andcontinuously after sponge implant, and was shown to have immunomodulating effects on inflammatory cells (mastocytes and macrophages) in a new sponge implant hamster model.

Honey Has a Significant Diuretic Activity Alone or in Combination with Propolis

Antioxidant and diuretic activity of co-administration of Capparis spinosa honey and propolis in comparison to furosemide

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Objective

To study the antioxidant properties of Capparis spinosa (C. spinosa) honey and propolis and the effect of combined honey and propolis administration on urine volume and electrolytes in rats.

Methods

C. spinosa honey [1 000 mg/kg body weight (b.wt)], propolis (100 mg/kg b.wt), honey/propolis mixture (C. spinosa honey 1 000 mg/kg b.wt/ propolis extract 100 mg/kg b.wt ), distilled water (1 mL/kg b.wt) and furosemide (10 mg/kg b.wt) were orally administered to five groups of rats for 21 d. Urine volume, blood and urine sodium, potassium and chloride were measured. The antioxidant activity of propolis and honey was assessed and their total phenols and flavonoids were determined.

Results

Propolis and C. spinosa honey contain polyphenols including flavonoids and propolis demonstrated higher antioxidant activities than honey. Honey significantly increased urine volume and urine electrolyte excretion. Propolis had no significant effect on urine volume, but co-administration of propolis and honey caused significant diuresis. No major changes were observed in plasma electrolytes with the use of honey, propolis or their combination.

Conclusions

Honey and propolis have antioxidant activity and contain polyphenols including flavonoids that are more pronounced in propolis. Honey has a significant diuretic activity alone or in combination with propolis. This is the first study comparing the diuretic effect of co-administration of propolis and C. spinosa honey with furosemide.

Diluted Bee Venom Acupuncture a Promising Alternative Therapy for Respiratory Inflammatory Diseases Such as Pleurisy

Bee venom stimulation into lung meridian acupoint reduces inflammation in a mouse model of carrageenan-induced pleurisy: an alternative therapeutic approach for the respiratory inflammatory disease

J Vet Sci. 2018 Jun 21. [Epub ahead of print]

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Respiratory inflammation is frequent and fatal pathologic state encountered in veterinary medicine. Although diluted bee venom (dBV) has potent anti-inflammatory effects, the clinical use of dBV is limited to several chronic inflammatory diseases.

The present study was designed to propose the acupoint treatment of dBV as a novel therapeutic strategy for respiratory inflammatory disease. Experimental pleurisy was induced by injection of carrageenan into left pleural space in mouse. dBV was injected into a specific lung meridian acupoint (LU-5) or into arbitrary non-acupoint located near the midline of the back in mouse.

The inflammatory responses were evaluated by analysis the inflammatory indicators in pleural exudate. dBV injection into LU-5 acupoint significantly suppressed the increase of pleural exudate volume, leukocyte accumulation, MPO activity. Moreover, dBV acupoint treatment effectively inhibited the production of IL-1β, but not TNF-α in pleural exudate. On the other hand, dBV treatment on non-acupoint did not inhibit the inflammatory responses in carrageenan-induced pleurisy.

The present results demonstrate that dBV stimulation into the LU-5 lung meridian acupoint produces significant anti-inflammatory effects on carrageenan-induced pleurisy suggesting that dBV acupuncture as a promising alternative medicine therapy for respiratory inflammatory diseases.

New Technique for Improving Nutrient Release in Bee Pollen

Improving Nutrient Release of Wall-disruption Bee Pollen with a Combination of Ultrasonication and High Shear Technique

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J Sci Food Agric. 2018 Jun 22

BACKGROUND:

Bee pollen, collected by honey bees, contains a substantial amount of nutrients and has a high nutritive value. However, a high level of nutrients can be difficult to be digested and absorbed due to the complex wall of bee pollen.

RESULTS:

We observed that amino acids were mostly distributed inside cell wall of lotus bee pollen, rape bee pollen, apricot bee pollen, wuweizi bee pollen and camellia bee pollen, using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Thus, five species of bee pollen were wall-disrupted with a combination of ultrasonication and high shear technique (US-HS). After the treatment, bee pollen walls were entirely broken into fragments, and a high number of nutrients were released. The contents of amino acids, fatty acids, protein, crude fat, reducing sugar, β-carotene, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium obviously increased after wall-disruption.

CONCLUSION:

Overall, our study demonstrates that US-HS can disrupt bee pollen wall to release nutrients. Therefore, further studies are being conducted to compare the digestibility and absorptivity of pollen nutrients before and after wall-disruption. Additionally, TOF-SIMS seems to be a reliable mapping technique for determining the distribution of food ingredients.

Polish Propolis Shows Antifungal Activity

Antifungal Activity and Synergism with Azoles of Polish Propolis

Pathogens. 2018 Jun 19;7(2). pii: E56

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The aim of our work was to check if one of the products of natural origin, namely honey bee propolis, may be an alternative or supplement to currently used antifungal agents.

The activity of 50 ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEPs), harvested in Polish apiaries, was tested on a group of 69 clinical isolates of C. albicans. Most of the EEPs showed satisfactory activity, with minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) mainly in the range of 0.08⁻1.25% (v/v). Eradication of biofilm from polystyrene microtitration plates in 50% (MBEC50, Minimum Biofilm Eradication Concentration) required concentrations in the range of 0.04% (v/v) to more than 1.25% (v/v).

High activity was also observed in eradication of biofilm formed by C. glabrata and C. krusei on the surfaces of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and silicone catheters. EEPs at subinhibitory concentrations inhibited yeast-to-mycelia morphological transformation of C. albicans in liquid medium and mycelial growth on solid medium. A synergistic effect was observed for the action of EEP in combination with fluconazole (FLU) and voriconazole (VOR) against C. albicans.

In the presence of EEP at concentrations as low as 0.02%, the MICs of FLU and VOR were 256 to 32 times lower in comparison to those of the drug alone. Evidence for the fungal cell membrane as the most probable target of EEPs are presented.

Honey Reduces Injuries in Children Who Swallow Button Batteries

Eating honey can reduce serious injuries in children who swallowed button battery, shows study

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June 11, 2018

A team of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists has demonstrated that eating honey after swallowing a button battery has the potential to reduce serious injuries in small children. Based on findings in laboratory animals, the research suggests that this common household product may significantly reduce morbidity and mortality from highly caustic batteries.

"Button batteries are ingested by children more 2,500 times a year in the United States, with more than a 12-fold increase in fatal outcomes in the last decade compared to the prior decade," said Co-Principal Investigator, Ian N. Jacobs, MD, Director of the Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders and a pediatric otolaryngologist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). "Since serious damage can occur within two hours of ingesting a battery, the interval between ingestion and removal is a critical time to act in order to reduce esophageal injury."...

Honey Improves Lipid Profile Such as; Total Cholesterol, TG and LDL and Increases HDL, But Consumption of Sugar Increases Total Cholesterol, TG and LDL and Decreases HDL

The effect of honey consumption compared with sucrose on lipid profile in young healthy subjects (randomized clinical trial)

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Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2018 Aug;26:8-12

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

Several studies have demonstrated that honey consumption has beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease indicators. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of honey consumption compared with sucrose on lipid profile among young healthy subjects.

METHODS:

Sixty healthy subjects, aged 18-30 years, were randomly recruited into this double blind randomized trial and assigned into two groups: honey (received 70 g honey per day) and sucrose (received 70 g sucrose per day) groups. Total cholesterol, TG, LDL and HDL were measured in the control and intervention groups at the beginning and end of study.

RESULTS:

In this trial, the baseline FBS, SBP and DBP were not different between honey and sucrose groups (P > 0.3). We found evidence indicating consumption of honey can decrease total cholesterol, TG and LDL and increase HDL in healthy young subjects, but intake of sucrose increase total cholesterol, TG and LDL and decreased HDL. In all of these analyses, confounding variable including age, physical activity and some nutrient intake were adjusted.

CONCLUSIONS:

Honey consumption can improve the lipid profile such as; total cholesterol, TG and LDL and increase HDL, but consumption of sucrose increases total cholesterol, TG and LDL and decreases HDL. Further clinical trial studies are required to confirm our findings.

Brazilian Propolis Boosts Wound Healing

Evaluation and Comparison of Wound Healing Properties of an Ointment (AlpaWash) Containing Brazilian Micronized Propolis and Peucedanum ostruthium Leaf Extract in Skin Ulcer in Rats

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Int J Pharm Compd. 2018 Mar-Apr;22(2):154-163

Several previous studies have demonstrated improved wound healing associated with natural-based formulations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a topical formulation containing both a Brazilian micronized propolis extract and a Peucedanum ostruthium leaf extract for the treatment of wounds created by surgical punch in rats.

The study was conducted for 14 days and animals were treated as follows: gauze group (G), polyethylene glycol base ointment (Control), AlpaWash (an ointment containing a Brazilian micronized propolis extract and Peucedanum ostruthium leaf extract [Treatment]), and polysporin (one of the most commonly used topical antibiotic ointments, based on bacitracin zinc and polymyxin B sulfate [Reference Standard]).

In general, the results demonstrated that ointments, due to occlusiveness and the ability to maintain moisture under the damaged area, offered improvements when compared to lesions without any treatment. Additionally, the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, as well as antioxidants and antimicrobials, offered improved stimulation and could accelerate wound healing. The Control, Treatment, and Reference Standard groups were able to close the lesion, as measured by the wound healing rate determination and follow-up photographs. However, AlpaWash and Polysporin presented some additional benefits- anti-inflammatory activity, measured using myeloperoxidase and histological count, as well as fibroplasia and hydroxyproline production, suggesting that skin with a better quality could be formed following these two treatments.

Therefore, based on the current concern of antibiotic overuse in wound healing, the emergence of multi-resistant organisms and the decrease in newer antibiotics, AlpaWash is considered a prominent formulation to be employed in wound-healing applications.

Propolis Promotes Bone Healing

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Propolis extract a new reinforcement material in improving bone healing: an in vivo study

Int J Surg. 2018 Jun 11. pii: S1743-9191(18)31498-5

BACKGROUND:

Propolis is known for its antioxidant, immune response modulating, and wound healing effects. In the present study in order to determine the bone healing capacity of the propolis extract, a critical sized, nonunion, radial bone defect model was repaired in rat, using chitosan and demineralized bone matrix (DBM) scaffolds along with propolis extract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Seventy-two radial bone defects in 36 healthy male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n= 12/group). The groups included autograft, defect or untreated group, chitosan, DBM, chitosan and propolis (chitosan-propolis), and DBM and propolis (DBM-propolis). The bone repairing capability was characterized using radiography at 28th, 42nd and 56th postoperative days. Gross morphologic, histopathologic, histomorphometric and biomechanical examinations were performed following euthanasia at the 56th post-operative day.

RESULTS:

The DBM-propolis group, showed better structural and biomechanical properties compared to the untreated, DBM, chitosan and chitosan-propolis groups. The defect site in the chitosan and untreated groups were mainly restored by fibrous connective tissue while the lesions in the autograft group were mostly filled by cartilage and a lesser amount of woven bone. The woven bone, and the hyaline cartilage were the main constituents of the newly formed tissues in the DBM-propolis group, at the 56th day after injury.

CONCLUSION:

The results of this study showed that percutaneous injection of diluted aqueous propolis extract in the bone defect (25 mg/defect) can improve bone formation in the critical radial bone defect in rat. Since there was no significant difference between the autograft and DBM-propolis group, probably this therapeutic strategy has high potential in augmentation of autologous bone grafting.