Bee Venom Aids Wound Healing, Cell Regeneration

This study finds Bee Venom has the potential to advance wound healing practices and we find yet another medicinal use for honey bee products. From these results, it appears one could combine bee venom, propolis and honey to create a super wound healing agent... 

Effects of honeybee (Apis mellifera) venom on keratinocyte migration in vitro

Pharmacogn Mag, 2013, July 9

BACKGROUND:

Since the ancient times the skin aging application of honeybee venom (BV) is practiced and persisted until nowadays. The present study evaluated the effect of the honeybee venom (BV) on keratinocyte migration in wound healing model in vitro.

OBJECTIVE:

To access BV further as a cosmetic ingredient and a potential external application for topical uses, we performed studies to investigate the biologic effect of BV treatment on keratinocyte proliferation and migration in vitro.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

BV cytotoxicity was assessed by using a 3-[4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay over 24 h. To assess BV genotoxicity, damage to human epidermal keratinocyte (HEK) was evaluated using the Comet assay. HEK migration was evaluated using a commercial wound healing kit. The skin pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were examined to evaluate the pro-inflammatory response to BV.

RESULTS:

BV effect on keratinocyte migration

It was found that BV [< 100 ug/ml] was not cytotoxic and stimulated more HEK proliferation and migration compared to negative control, and did not induce DNA damage. There were also decreases in IL-8 and TNF-α expression levels in HEK at all time points.

CONCLUSION:

These findings highlight the potential of topical application of BV for promoting cell regeneration and wound treatment.

Royal Jelly Improves Sperm Kinematics

Studies of Royal Jelly continue to reveal existence of its protective properties, as well as its consistent ability to enhance sexual function, from women to men and even rams...

Royal Jelly improves the sperm parameters of ram semen during liquid storage and serves as an antioxidant source

SmallRuminant Research  2013, July

Abstract:

The current study was carried out to investigate the protective effects of the Royal Jelly (RJ) supplementation on the sperm kinematics, plasma membrane functionality, the level of produced nitric oxide (NO) and total antioxidant capacity during the liquid storage of ram semen at 4 °C, for various periods of time (0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h).

Semen samples were collected from four rams and pooled, diluted with Tris–egg yolk extender without RJ (control) or supplemented with different concentrations of RJ (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2%), at a final concentration of 200 × 106 sperm/mL. Sperm viability, kinematics and membrane functionality were determined by nigrosin–eosin staining, computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), and by using the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST), respectively. Additionally, the oxidative and nitrosative status were evaluated after the RJ supplementation. The RJ supplementation resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase of sperm viability with the highest increase at 1% RJ concentration for 120 h. A significant protective effect of RJ on sperm membrane functionality was obtained at lower concentrations (0.5 and 1%) and in all incubated time points. The most prominent protective effect of RJ on sperm motility parameters was found on the progressive velocity (VSL) as after 72 h storage, no significant reduction was found in comparison to the 50% reduction in the control group. The produced NO level during storage time was reduced by addition of RJ at low concentrations (0.5 and 1%).

Our data suggest that the RJ supplementation at lower concentrations (0.5 and 1%) improves the ram sperm kinetics and plasma membrane functionality during the liquid and cold storage. Moreover, the protective effect of RJ might be attributed to its antioxidative/antinitrosative capacities.

Jujube Honey Effective Against Candida

Manuka is not the only plant that provides therapeutic benefits. Other plants, such as Jujube, are reported to have numerous therapeutic properties, listed in Wikipedia. So, it's not surprising to see some of these qualities transformed by honeybees as they turn nectar into healthy, monofloral honey... 

Effect of Jujube Honey on Candida albicans Growth and Biofilm Formation

Arch MedRes, 2013 Jul 15

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

Candida species, especially Candida albicans, are major fungal pathogens of humans that are capable of causing superficial mucosal infections and systemic infections in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the jujube (Zizyphus spina-christi) honey for its in vitro inhibitory activity against pre-formed biofilm and its interference with the biofilm formation of C. albicans.

METHODS:

The XTT reduction assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed to determine the inhibitory effect of Jujube honey on C. albicans biofilm. Changes in the infrared spectrum after treatment with honey were also determined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

RESULTS:

Jujube honey affects biofilms by decreasing the size of mature biofilms and by disruption of their structure. At a concentration of 40% w/v, it interferes with formation of C. albicans biofilms and disrupts established biofilms. The SEM and AFM results indicated that this type of honey affected the cellular morphology of C. albicans and decreased biofilm thickness.

CONCLUSIONS:

The present findings show that jujube honey has antifungal properties against C. albicans and has the ability to inhibit the formation of C. albicans biofilms and disrupt established biofilms.

Honey Protects Testes from Noise Stress

This study reaffirms a consistent trait with many of the honey bee products, in that they protect all species, including humans from negative effects, whether it be noise, stress, vaccine side effects, bacteria, inflammation, chemo & radiation exposure, burns, oxidation, etc. The short answer is taking bee products protects your health and simply adding honey, royal jelly and bee pollen are essentiel in today's world...

The effects of honey and vitamin E administration on apoptosis in testes of rat exposed to noise stress

J Human Reprod Sciences  2013 Jan 6

Aims: 

A variety of stress factors are known to inhibit male reproductive functions. So this study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of honey and vitamin E on the germinative and somatic cells of testes of rats exposed to noise stress. 

Materials and Methods: 

Mature male wistar rats (n0 = 24) were randomly grouped as follows: Group 1 (honey + noise stress), 2 (vitamin E + noise stress), 3 (noise stress,) and 4 as the control group. In groups 1, 2, and 3, rats were exposed to noise stress. In groups 1 and 2, rats also were given honey and vitamin E, respectively, orally for 50 days. After that, the germinative and somatic cells of testes parenchyma were isolated by digesting the whole testes by a standard method. Next, viability, apoptosis, and necrosis of the cells were evaluated by TUNEL kit and flow cytometry. 

Results: 

The rates of apoptosis and necrosis of the testicular cells were increased (P = 0.003 and P = 0.001, respectively), but viability of these cells decreased in testes of rats exposed to noise stress (P = 0.003). However, administration of honey and vitamin E were significantly helpful in keeping the cells of testis parenchyma alive, which suffers from noise pollution (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively). 

Conclusions: 

Noise stress has negative influences on the cells of testicular tissue by increasing apoptotic and necrotic cells. However, the associated enhancement in healthy cells suggests that honey and vitamin E have positive influences on the testis parenchyma.

Strong Antioxidant Activity in Spanish Propolis

Thanks to the variety of tree and plant species around the world, Propolis can have effects that are enhanced by specific species of tree resin. Fortunately, more regions of the world are discovering rich sources of healthy flavonoids in their Propolis...

Chemical and Functional Characterisation of Propolis Collected from East Andalusia (Southern Spain)

Journal of Phytochemical Analysis, 2013 May 14

INTRODUCTION:

Propolis is a complex mixture of natural sticky, gummy and resinous components produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) from plant materials. However, phytochemical data of the Andalusian (southern Spain) propolis are scant.

OBJECTIVE:

The primary objectives of this study were to chemically characterise the compounds and evaluate the anti-oxidant activity found in 28 Andalusian propolis samples.

METHODS:

Ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP) were prepared and examined for their anti-oxidant activity by 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assays. To characterise the phenolic composition, the presence of 11 compounds was identified by HPLC analysis with photodiode array and mass spectrometric detection.

RESULTS:

All propolis samples had strong anti-oxidant activity, accompanied by high total phenolic content. The most abundant compounds were flavonoids. Concerning the phenolic compounds content, our results showed that the 75% of the samples analysed contained at least 80 mg/g of flavonoids, primarily pinobanksin 3-acetate, pinocembrin, chrysin, galangin and pinobanksin. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester was detected in almost all EEP samples but in smaller proportions (mean 12.9 ± 2.8 mg/g).

CONCLUSION:

The present investigation constitutes the first comprehensive report on the phenolics identified in southern Spanish propolis. The results revealed that the samples tested showed a high scavenging activity and therefore indicate the possible use of Andalusian propolis as an important source of natural anti-oxidants.

Propolis Stops Colorectal Cancer In Vitro

Once again, Propolis is proven to have effective anti-tumor activity. This time it's confirmed to be effective against Colon carcinoma cells. Already proven complementary against breast and prostate cancer cells, the apoptosis or cytotoxic capacity of Propolis merits to be prescribed to every cancer patient...  

Portuguese propolis disturbs glycolytic metabolism of human colorectal cancer in vitro

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine; 2013, July 19 

Background

Propolis is a resin collected by bees from plant buds and exudates, which is further processed through the activity of bee enzymes. Propolis has been shown to possess many biological and pharmacological properties, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunostimulant and antitumor activities. Due to this bioactivity profile, this resin can become an alternative, economic and safe source of natural bioactive compounds.

Antitumor action has been reported in vitro and in vivo for propolis extracts or its isolated compounds; however, Portuguese propolis has been little explored. The aim of this work was to evaluate the in vitro antitumor activity of Portuguese propolis on the human colon carcinoma cell line HCT-15, assessing the effect of different fractions (hexane, chloroform and ethanol residual) of a propolis ethanol extract on cell viability, proliferation, metabolism and death.

Methods

Propolis from Angra do Heroismo (Azores) was extracted with ethanol and sequentially fractionated in solvents with increasing polarity, n-hexane and chloroform. To assess cell viability, cell proliferation and cell death, Sulforhodamine B, BrDU incorporation assay and Anexin V/Propidium iodide were used, respectively. Glycolytic metabolism was estimated using specific kits.

Results

All propolis samples exhibited a cytotoxic effect against tumor cells, in a dose- and time-dependent way. Chloroform fraction, the most enriched in phenolic compounds, appears to be the most active, both in terms of inhibition of viability and cell death. Data also show that this cytotoxicity involves disturbance in tumor cell glycolytic metabolism, seen by a decrease in glucose consumption and lactate production.

Conclusion

Our results show that Portuguese propolis from Angra do Heroismo (Azores) can be a potential therapeutic agent against human colorectal cancer.

Antimicrobial Properties of Honey Confirmed

This review confirms why and how numerous studies have proven that honey has antimicrobial properties. Elsewhere on this blog, you'll find studies recommending daily consumption of honey to avoid chronic diseases... 

Antimicrobial Properties of Honey

Amer Jrnl Therapeutics, 2013 Jun 18

Honey has been widely accepted as food and medicine by all generations, traditions, and civilizations, both ancient and modern. For at least 2700 years, honey has been used by humans to treat a variety of ailments through topical application, but only recently have the antiseptic and antimicrobial properties of honey been discovered. Honey has been reported to be effective in a number of human pathologies. Clinical studies have demonstrated that application of honey to severely infected cutaneous wounds rapidly clears infection from the wound and improves tissue healing.

A large number of in vitro and limited clinical studies have confirmed the broad-spectrum antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antimycobacterial) properties of honey, which may be attributed to the acidity (low pH), osmotic effect, high sugar concentration, presence of bacteriostatic and bactericidal factors (hydrogen peroxide, antioxidants, lysozyme, polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, methylglyoxal, and bee peptides), and increase in cytokine release, and to immune modulating and anti-inflammatory properties of honey; the antimicrobial action involves several mechanisms.

Despite a large amount of data confirming the antimicrobial activity of honey, there are no studies that support the systemic use of honey as an antibacterial agent.