Apitherapy Products Popular in Russia

A Taste of Honey
By Phoebe Taplin, Moscow News, 9/28/2009

The 21st international honey festival is already in full swing at Tsaritsyno. This is the third time the market has been held here - it used to be at Kolomenskoye - and the venue is working out well. Just five minutes on foot from Tsaritsyno metro station, the festival grounds are right outside the main gate to the old imperial park which means visitors can also stroll past the musical fountains when they come to buy their honey.

…There is also royal jelly, and propolis, the resinous "bee glue" that bees use to fix honeycombs in place. You can of course also buy sections of the honey comb itself. Perga or bee-bread is another medicinal product popular among visitors to the fair. You can even buy crushed dead bees and venom for their supposed health benefits.

Magic properties

There is an almost mystical reverence afforded to honey and its by-products in Russia. Honey has a long history in this country.

It is said to be able to cure almost anything. It's just a matter of finding out which type of honey to use. Yevgeny Kovergin from the Tambov region says his buckwheat honey with propolis mixed into it acts as a "natural antibiotic" and "boosts the immune system".

Yekaterina Kuzmetsova from Kuban, one of the relatively few women apiarists, stands proudly behind a large tub of bee-bread. In her immaculate white overalls, she looks more like a doctor than a farmer; she is eager to explain how it can cure all kinds of illnesses: cardio-vascular, gastric or bronchial. According to her, it can raise your blood pressure (if taken after meals) or lower it (if taken before), while smearing it on the skin can heal wounds or cure eczema, herpes and psoriasis. Many sellers stress the vitamin content of their honey, the amino acids, beneficial minerals and natural anti-bacterial agents…

Bee Venom Therapy Helps Treat Mastitis in Dairy Cows

Somatic Cell Count in Milk of Bee Venom Treated Diary Cows with Mastitis
Journal of ApiProduct & ApiMedical Science, Vol. 1 (3) pp. 104 - 109

The objective of this study was to determine whether bee venom (BV) has therapeutic capacity against clinical and subclinical mastitis as assessed by mammary quarter somatic cell count (SCC) in dairy cows.

Mastitic cows from four farms, selected on the basis of SCC above 200,000 cells/mL of milk, were used in the current study. For bacteriological culture, individual quarter milk samples were aseptically collected into sterile culture tubes. Pathogens were identified on the basis of colony morphology, characteristic haemolytic patterns and Gram staining.

To observe BV dose effects, 15 lactating mastitic cows were injected subcutaneously with four different doses (3, 6, 12 and 24 mg per treatment) of BV. Another 6 lactating cows were used to compare two methods of BV administration (by subcutaneous injection or Bovivet Spenstift). An increasing concentration of BV exhibited a non-linear dose response in the reduction of mean SCC in milk samples.

A significant reduction was seen on days 3 and 6 (p < 0.05) compared to the control across all doses. With 12 mg dose, the reduction was 55% and 63% on day 3 and 6, respectively. By contrast, the higher dose (24 mg) did not appear to further affect the reduction, with 57% and 65% on day 3 and 6, respectively. When administration methods were compared, SCC reduction on day 3 was 55% and 63% with injection and Bovivet Spenstift, respectively. It was confirmed that the most effective BV therapy was by the Bovivet Spenstift at 12 mg. Then, a total of 53 quarters from 38 lactating cows were treated with BV once daily for 14 days. In the course of treatment period, the effect of BV was clearly shown to increase the number of clinically cured quarters with less than 0.2 million / mL SCC from 13 (24.5%) on day 3 to 32 (60.4%) on day 14. A significant reduction in the detection of Staphylococcus aureus and other Gram positive pathogens was found within 2 weeks of BV treatment with 75% clinical cure rate.

In conclusion, BV treatment of dairy cows with mastitis may have boosted mammary defence mechanisms. This method may be an efficacious option to avoid frequent administrations of antibiotics.

Propolis in Correlation to Cytokines - Part II

Apitherapy Review, Fall 2009

By Ahmed Hegazi
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
National Research Center , Dokki, Giza , Egypt
Member of Apitherapy Commission, APIMONDIA
E-mail: ahmedgaffer@mailer.eun.eg and ahmedhegazi128@gmail.com

Propolis, the resinous product collected by honey bees from plants, is used as folk medicine since ancient time. During the last ten years, immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of propolis have been published.

Cytokines (Greek cyto-, cell; and -kinos, movement) are a category of signaling molecules that are used extensively in cellular communication. They are proteins, peptides, or glycoproteins. The term cytokine encompasses a large and diverse family of polypeptide regulators that are produced widely throughout the body by cells of diverse embryological origin. (Gilman et al., 2001). Cytokines are small secreted proteins which mediate and regulate immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis.

Cytokine is a general name; other names include lymphokine (cytokines made by lymphocytes), monokine (cytokines made by monocytes), chemokine (cytokines with chemotactic activities), and interleukin (cytokines made by one leukocyte and acting on other leukocytes)…

The detailed mechanisms of actions of propolis and its components on immune cells, however, are still unknown. Inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress have a central role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. Propolis has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Büyükberber et al., (2009) investigated the therapeutic role of ethanolic extract of propolis on a cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis model in rats. In the acute pancreatitis group, serum amylase and lipase levels were found to be elevated and the histopathological evaluation of the tissue revealed massive edema and inflammation with less fatty necrosis when compared to the sham and control groups. In the ethanolic extract of propolis group, in particular, tissue edema was improved markedly (p=0.001). Tissue inflammation and fatty necrosis were decreased with ethanolic extract of propolis treatment.

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. Girgin et al., (2009) studied, the immunomodulatory effects of six Turkish propolis samples were evaluated by using the in vitro model of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Concentrations of neopterin, tryptophan, kynurenine and pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were determined. In PBMC treated with mitogen phytohaemagglutinin, neopterin production and tryptophan degradation by enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) as well as release of cytokines was significantly enhanced and upon treatment with propolis extracts all these effects were dose-dependently suppressed.

CAPE is a biologically active component of propolis, a resinous material obtained from bee hives. The effect of CAPE on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory reactions is not known. Song et al., (2008) evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of CAPE on cultured human middle ear epithelial cells (HMEECs). They suggested that the anti-inflammatory effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester ( CAPE ) is due to its inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha expression and interleukin (IL)-8 production. The anti-inflammatory effect of CAPE is possibly through the inhibition of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB via the suppression of inhibitor-kappaB-alpha (IkappaB-alpha) degradation…

The immune system has a variety of regulatory/suppressive processes, which are decisive for the development of a healthy or an allergic immune response to allergens. NK1 and NK2 subsets have been demonstrated to display counterregulatory and provocative roles in immune responses, similar to Th1 and Th2 cells. T regulatory cells suppressing both Th1 and Th2 responses have been the focus of intensive research during the last decade. Deniz et al., (2008) investigated the regulatory NK cells in humans, by characterization of NK cell subsets according to their IL-10 secretion property. Freshly purified IL-10-secreting NK cells expressed up to 40-fold increase in IL-10. The effect of IL-10+ NK cells on Ag-specific T cell proliferation has been examined in bee venom major allergen, phospholipase A2- and purified protein derivative of Mycobecterium bovis-induced T cell proliferation. IL-10+ NK cells significantly suppressed both allergen/Ag-induced T cell proliferation and secretion of IL-13 and IFN-gamma, particularly due to secreted IL-10 as demonstrated by blocking of the IL-10 receptor. These results demonstrate that a distinct small fraction of NK cells display regulatory functions in humans.

Propolis Has Favorable Impact on Fish

Effects of Various Propolis Concentrations on Biochemical and Hematological Parameters of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Volume 72, Issue 7, October 2009, Pages 1994-1998

Biochemical and hematological parameters in blood of rainbow trout treated to various concentrations of propolis for 96 h were determined.

Total leukocyte count and granulocytes values increased in 0.02 and 0.03 g/L propolis groups. There was a decrease in agranulocytes erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit values for fish exposed to 0.02 and 0.03 g/L propolis. MCV and MCH values were significantly increased; 0.02 and 0.03 g/L propolis caused an increase in the levels of glucose, blood urea nitrogen, triglyceride, total cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, amylase and gamma glutamyltransferase. There was a decrease in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. Hematological and biochemical protective effects of 0.01 g/L propolis were investigated.

Dose-dependent effects of propolis on blood of fish can be favorable, opening new perspectives of investigation on their biological properties and utilization.

Once an Annoyance, Healing Honey Now Prized

Honey, It's a Winner
Elaine Reeves, The Mercury, 9/23/2009

Time was when beekeepers tried to avoid collecting honey from tea-trees.

It's hard to get a reliable flow from it, hard to extract and hard to pack," says Robbie Charles of Blue Hills Honey.

He has a picture of his father Rueben having uncapped the combs, stacking them in the river to wash out the dense jelly-like honey that otherwise had to be scraped away.

Because tea-trees are among the first to flower, it had some value for building up the bees to take advantage of the leatherwood flow that comes after Christmas.

One year Robbie and Nicola Charles had 14 tonnes of the stuff stacked up to be used for feed over the winter. That was all before the New Zealand name for tea-tree -- manuka -- was adopted by apiarists. They are both names for Leptospermum scoparium, but it makes sense to adopt the Maori name since that is the one recognised for the antifungal and antibacterial effects of "healing honey"…

Some manuka honey can have 1000 times the antibacterial power of other honeys, but all manuka honeys are not alike.

The way of measuring the potency until recently was to rate the "unique manuka factor" or UMF, by measuring the efficiency of the honey against a standard disinfectant. The honey was rated from 5 to 20 UMF.

About a year ago, Thomas Henle of the University of Dresden published findings that identified methylglyoxal as the compound in manuka honey that had the antibacterial effect.

The methylglyoxal level can be measured with a direct chemical analysis, and is a more reliable method than measuring the honey against a disinfectant -- plus the honey does not need to be sent to New Zealand for assessment.

The methylglyoxal is rated in milligrams per kilo. A measure of 30+ is equivalent to 5 UMF, and 400+ of methylglyoxal equals 20 UMF.

Only analysis will confirm the presence of methylglyoxal, but Robbie says he tends to know what areas produce the higher grades now.

"The poorer and the rougher the soil is, the better activity there is," he said. Quality can also depend on the variety of manuka -- some 83 different tea-trees grow in Tasmania - and where it grows…

He recently analysed Tasmanian honeys from 10 apiarists for their antioxidant content. Prickly box honey rated highest, and leatherwood from the North West, where Robbie and Nicola operate, was not far behind, but leatherwood from the South had less than half the levels of that from the North West. Manuka, tallow wood and Pedder wildflower honeys were also high in antioxidants.

Now there are moves afoot to obtain funding to test leatherwood honeys for their anti-inflammatory properties…

Study Shows Diabetics Can Use Honey in Moderation

Two Varieties of Honey that are Available in Malaysia Gave Intermediate Glycemic Index Values When Tested Among Healthy Individuals
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub, 2009 Jun;153(2):145-7

AIM: To determine the glycemic index (GI) of Malaysian wild honey and Australian honey.

METHODS: Eight healthy volunteers (5 men and 3 women, aged 24-44 y, with normal BMI) were served 50 g carbohydrate portions of two varieties of honey or the reference food (glucose, tested 3 times), on separate occasions. Capillary blood glucose was measured fasting and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min after the start of the test meals. The GI was calculated by expressing each subject's incremental area under the blood glucose curve (AUC) after honey as a percentage of his or her mean AUC after glucose…

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that both Malaysian wild honey (GI=65+/-7) and Australian honey (GI=59+/-5) are intermediate GI foods.

… Thus, persons with diabetes mellitus can include moderate amounts of honey in a balanced diet. Hence, honey can be substituted for table sugar because of its additional health benefits. Further studies are needed to determine the composition of sugars present in the Malaysian honey varieties.

Propolis Component Helps Prevent Tissue Damage

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester is a Potent Inhibitor of HIF Prolyl Hydroxylase: Structural Analysis and Pharmacological Implication
J Nutr Biochem, 2009 Sep 7

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is an active component of propolis from honeybee. We investigated a potential molecular mechanism underlying a CAPE-mediated protective effect against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and analyzed the structure contributing to the CAPE effect.

CAPE induced hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) alpha protein, concomitantly transactivating the HIF-1 target genes vascular endothelial growth factor and heme oxygenase-1, which play a protective role in I/R injury. CAPE delayed the degradation of HIF-1alpha protein in cells, which occurred by inhibition of HIF prolyl hydroxylase (HPH), the key enzyme for von Hippel-Lindau-dependent HIF-1alpha degradation. CAPE inhibition of HPH and induction of HIF-1alpha protein were neutralized by an elevated dose of iron. The catechol moiety, a chelating group, is essential for HPH inhibition, while hydrogenation of the double bond (-CC-) in the Michael reaction acceptor markedly reduced potency. Removal of the phenethyl moiety of CAPE (substitution with the methyl moiety) severely deteriorated its inhibitory activity for HPH.

Our data suggest that a beneficial effect of CAPE on I/R injury may be ascribed to the activation of HIF-1 pathway via inhibition of HPH and reveal that the chelating moiety of CAPE acted as a pharmacophore while the double bond and phenethyl moiety assisted in inhibiting HPH.

The Components of Apitherapy

Apitherapy: A Science in Its Own Right
By Prof. Roch Domerego, Apitherapy Review, Fall 2009
President of the European Company of Apitherapy, Apimondia
Vice President of Apitherapy Commission of Apimondia

Any product that is created by the bees can become a remedy of great therapeutic interest. Thus honey, propolis, royal jelly, beeswax and even venom are the bases of the api-pharmacopeia, which leads to the realization that the hive has been a complete pharmaceutical laboratory since the beginnings of time. With this laboratory man has been able to overcome most of the pathologies, thereby insuring his survival, fragile as it has been.

The products of the hive have then become a salvation and green medicine a real health solution, indispensable at this time when chemical medicine has reached certain limits.

Each component of the hive posesses its specific therapeutic properties.

Honey

Its properties, known since the begining ot time, are many, and are often a function of the plants foraged and, sometimes of the race of the bee.

Its nutritional, energetic, anti-anemic and dynamizing roles are well known, as is its ability to absorb other substances. In addition it also has a strong capacity as a laxative and as a liver protector.

Honey also has antiseptic and antibacterial action. In vitro studies of different kinds of bacteria have demonstrated that this action is very dependent on the type of flower foraged (in particular mountain honey, Thyme, Lavender,…). It is a also dependent of the care shown by the beekeeper in respecting hygiene standards, of the quality in the handling of the hives and in the production of the honey.

Honey's strong wound healing capacity have been demonstrated and in many hospitals it is used to heal wounds, clean or infected.

The combination of honey with essential oils as aro-honeys results in a synergy that effectively addresses severe pathologies…

Aro-honeys

Aro-honeys are aromatic mixtures providing the possibility of synergies between honey and aromatic essences. These synergies increase the therapeutic activity of their constituents relative to what the activity would be if they were administered separately. Also, they decrease unwanted side effects…

Pollen

All the main religious or secular traditions have extolled the therapeutic virtues of pollen: toning, stimulating and metabolic.

Pollen is a good regulator of liver and intestinal functions, together with an anti-inflammatory action, particularly on the gut level.

Pollen has detoxifying and anti-oxidant properties. Pollen, as well as the Brazilian nut has the highest selenium content of food products…

Greek Shop Offers Apitherapy Products

Centuries of Nectar in the Heart of Mykonos
By Necee Regis, The Boston Globe, 9/23/2009

…Nektar and Ambrosia is a 200-year-old family-run business that uses nectar from hives on the island and in Nafplion, a town in the Peloponnese. Eighty acres on Mykonos alone are covered with over 1,000 varieties of wildflowers…

He believes that stings are good for arthritis, and other illnesses “because the bees eat pollen that goes into the sting.’’ Quoting statistics from studies in Italy, Reppas adds, “The sting goes into the whole system like a human growth hormone.’’

The store also sells royal jelly, a substance secreted from the salivary glands of worker bees as food for the larvae. Reppas, who occasionally trades this product for fresh seafood with the aforementioned fisherman, recommends it to boost energy levels. “Royal jelly has vitamins and amino acids,’’ he says. “It’s a natural steroid.’’ He suggests putting a little jelly on the end of a toothpick and placing it under the tongue, followed by a spoon of honey and pollen…

Connaissez-vous la propolis en ce temps de grippe A!

Care Vox, 9/22/2009

La propolis est une substance sécrétée par les abeilles à partir de certaines plantes comme les résineux ou les bourgeons de certains arbres.

Alors sur la grippe on entend de tout, et ça vire vraiment à l’obsession comique. Cette grippe, bien moins virulente qu’une grippe "normale" fait la Une des journaux alors qu’elle ne le devrait pas. Avec des vaccins établis sur un coin de table et des médicaments inefficaces, c’est vraiment nous rouler dans la farine! Voici donc un petit un petit coup de pouce immunitaire: la propolis!...

Apitherapy: The Role of Honey in the Chronic Wound Healing Process

Epidemiol Mikrobiol Imunol, 2009 Aug; 58(3):137-40

With increasing frequency, modern medicine directs attention to natural products and biological therapy methods and their use in clinical practice. Bee honey as well as other bee products (propolis, royal jelly and venom) have already found use in medicine not only as immune system stimulants but also as chronic wound healing promoters.

The major arguments for implementing apitherapy are the low cost in comparison with conventional therapies and the fact that honey has proved effective against resistant hospital pathogens. Besides antimicrobial characteristics associated with no antimicrobial resistance risk, honey has anti-inflammatory effects.

Controlled clinical trials have shown honey to be effective in chronic wound healing and gave rise to medihoney. Nevertheless, further study is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of honey in clinical practice.

Video: Urban Beekeepers Hope to Halt British Decline

AFP, Sep 19

Malaysian Stingless Bee Used to Produce Propolis

Propolis Bee Farm - A New Tourist Attraction in Penang

PENANG, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- A propolis bee farm at the Penang Botanical Garden here not only produce quality honey for medicinal purpose but also drawing attention as a new tourism product, offering insight into bee breeding among visitors.

Established two months ago, the Propolis Bee Farm was set-up not only for commercial purpose but also aimed at boosting the state tourism industry.

Its Business Development Manager Michael Fong said the 8,000 square feet farm is expected to extract approximately 500kg of raw honey monthly.

Speaking to Bernama, he said the bee farm and gallery is open from 9am to 7pm daily and entrance is free.

"While touring our farm, visitors will get an opportunity to know the difference between natural and synthesized honey, the various types of bees and the kind of propolis and honey produced," he said.

Michael said the Botanical Garden is the most suitable location for the farm as there are a lot of native stingless bees there which are needed to collect propolis from the natural botanical plants.

"The beautiful natural scenery and nice weather here provide a good environment for bee breeding dan promote propolis production.

"If you come to Botanical Garden, not only that you can enjoy Malaysia's oldest botanical garden, but you will also be charmed by the propolis bee," he said.

Propolis, which is a resinous mixture collected by honey bees from other botanical sources, has been recognised as recipes for natural beauty and natural antibiotical medicine.

Trigona, a tiny stingless bee which is also a native bee in Penang and found nowhere else around the world, plays important role in producing the propolis honey.

Apiculture specialist, Ong Kang Peng said unlike other types of honey, propolis production requires the Trigona bees to extract nectar from other botanical sources such as trees, flowers and other plants…

Glycemic, Insulinemic Index of Honey Related to Fructose Content

Glycaemic and Insulinaemic Properties of Some German Honey Varieties

Eur J Clin Nutr, 2009 Sep 16

The glycaemic and insulinaemic response to different German honey varieties have not been studied so far. Eight German honey grades differing in their floral source and carbohydrate composition were tested…

Five of the eight tested honey varieties show a low glycaemic index below 55; for six of the eight tested varieties, the glycaemic load was lower than 10 (portion size of 20 g honey).

Glycaemic index and insulinaemic index correlated significantly with the fructose content of honey varieties. The results show that glycaemic index and insulinaemic response depend on the fructose content of honey. Therefore, specific honey varieties may be recommended for subjects with impaired glucose tolerance instead of saccharose in food preparations.

Propolis Key Component in Anti-Viral Capsules

Reinforce Your Defences to Fight Viruses
Press Release, 9/16/2009

Kilvir® capsules: a natural solution to ward off viral infections

The arrival of autumn and winter viruses is a certainty. And, with predicted high levels of swine flu expected, it makes absolute sense to boost your immune system, ready to fight. While the most vulnerable people can expect a vaccine or antiviral treatment, it will not be recommended or suitable for everyone (A).

The best course of action is to reinforce your natural defences in a natural way. Kilvir® capsules are a potent synergistic combination of extract of Red Propolis and Eucalyptus, Melaleuca and Basilic immune-boosting essential oils.

Their combined actions are believed to bring two distinct benefits:

• First, Kilvir® could reinforce and strengthen the immune system to lessen the chance of viruses taking hold in the first place.
• Second, the capsules’ antiviral properties could lessen the impact and development of viruses should they be contracted.

Active Ingredients

Kilvir® capsules are a food supplement formulated to prevent viral infections. The active ingredients bring their own unique health benefits: but the secret is believed to lie in the synergistic behaviour of these combined active ingredients to stimulate and support the immune system.

Red Propolis is the main active ingredient and plays an essential role. This resinous substance produced by bees, has been recognised for decades for its powerful antiviral and immuno-stimulating properties. The concentrated extract of Propolis used in Kilvir® Capsules is believed to not only strengthen the immune system generally, but also to decrease the body’s sensitivity to viral infections. Numerous rigorous scientific studies have demonstrated its remarkable therapeutic properties…