Honey Prevents Paracetamol Liver Damage

This is really interesting, as propolis has already been found to have hepatoprotective capacities and now honey is found to have similar effects. Interestingly enough, this is what we already know - apitherapy products have a synergistic effect when consumed ensemble!

Potential Protective Effect of Honey Against Paracetamol-induced Hepatotoxicity

Archives of Iranian Medicine, 2012 November

BACKGROUND: 
Paracetamol overdose causes severe hepatotoxicity that leads to liver failure in both humans and experimental animals. The present study investigates the protective effect of honey against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. We have used silymarin as a standard reference hepatoprotective drug.

METHODS: 
Hepatoprotective activity was assessed by measuring biochemical parameters such as the liver function enzymes, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Equally, comparative effects of honey on oxidative stress biomarkers such as malondialdyhyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were also evaluated in the rat liver homogenates.  We estimated the effect of honey on serum levels and hepatic content of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) because the initial event in paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity has been shown to be a toxic-metabolic injury that leads to hepatocyte death, activation of the innate immune response and upregulation of inflammatory cytokines.

RESULTS: 
Paracetamol caused marked liver damage as noted by significant increased activities of serum AST and ALT as well as the level of Il-1β. Paracetamol also resulted in a significant decrease in liver GSH content and GPx activity which paralleled an increase in Il-1β and MDA levels. Pretreatment with honey and silymarin prior to the administration of paracetamol significantly prevented the increase in the serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers, and reduced both oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines. Histopathological evaluation of the livers also revealed that honey reduced the incidence of paracetamol-induced liver lesions.

CONCLUSION: 
Honey can be used as an effective hepatoprotective agent against paracetamol-induced liver damage.

Propolis Aids Patients with Peyronies Disease

Propolis has an amazing integral element biologically, in that it regulates or re-regulates on a cellular level, anomolies in the biological structure of humans, as well as animals. It's a protector on numerous levels and merits greater appreciation in the medical profession, albeit that complementary and alternative health care professionals are slowly discovering this natural protector...

PROPOLIS, IMMUNOLOGY AND PEYRONIE'S DISEASE

Published in Rev Int Androl. 2012 Oct 

Abstract

Introduction: 

In several previously published articles, we have shown clinical improvement in Peyronie's disease (PD) with propolis. Among the properties of propolis, immunostabilization is that which hypothetically corresponds to these effects.

Objectives:

To analyze and determine the associations among PD, propolis, immunology and clinical improvement.

Material and methods:

We performed a prospective, paired clinical trial of 30 patients. A dose of 900 mg propolis daily was administered for 6 months. The variables studied were age, race, direction of the curvature, pain, size of the plaque (pre- and post-treatment), as measured by physical examination, ultrasound and angle of curvature; levels of IgA, IgG, IGm, C3, C4, rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein, and the results of skin tests.

Results:

There was no predominant age, while 70% of the patients were white. The curvature was predominantly upwards (40%). Pain was present in 53.3%, and was more frequent when the curvature was upwards (8 of the 12 patients). The mean change in the degree of angulation (pre- vs. post- treatment) was 38.1º(pre-treatment) vs. 29.5º(post-treatment) (p < 0.001). The variation in the size of the plaque, expressed as the mean of each of the three dimensions was as follows: physical measurement (cm) (1.9×1.3×1.3 pre-treatment) vs. (1.5×1.1×1.1 post-treatment). 

The results of humoral immunological tests were as follows: C3 levels were low in the majority of the patients; C4 levels were within the normal range; C3 concentrations increased after treatment to within the normal range and levels increased after treatment in the remaining patients who had levels at the lower limit of normal before treatment. The results of cellular immunity tests (IGg, IGm, IGa and C4) showed that before treatment 18 patients were immunodepressed, two showed moderate immunodepression and 10 showed normal cellular immune function (33.3%). After treatment, only one patient was immunodepressed.

Discussion:

On evaluating the main variables, we found that the angle of the penis after 6 months of treatment with propolis was significantly reduced. The size of the plaque measured physically by the physician and sonographically by the sonographer was also reduced at the end of the treatment. In patients who were immunodepressed before treatment, immune function returned to normal to a greater or lesser extent. Patients with low values before treatment showed improved immune function after treatment.

Conclusions:

There is an association between immunodepression and PD. The clinical improvement in patients with PD treated with propolis was associated with improved immune function. Propolis reduces the angle of penile curvature and the size of the plaque and improves immune function.

Root Canal Disinfection Possible with Propolis

The consistent findings in studies regarding propolis is that it works incredibly well in the mucous linings of the body. Not just in the mouth, throat and lungs, but also the intestinal tract and vaginal cavity as well... 

Propolis: A New Alternative for Root Canal Disinfection

Iran Endod J, 2012 Summer

This study evaluated and compared colony forming units (CFUs) and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of calcium hydroxide and propolis as intracanal medicaments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Eighty human single-root and caries-free teeth were selected and divided into five groups. Crowns were removed. Root canals were then prepared in a step-back manner. The samples were then inoculated by Enterococcus (E.) faecalis and incubated for 21 days. Intracanal medications were applied including, calcium hydroxide (n=20), propolis (n=20), and ethanol (n=20). Two groups of 10 teeth were also used as the positive and negative controls. Microbiological sampling was performed utilizing a piezo-reamer drill after one week of incubation. The samples were plated and CFUs were counted after 48 hours. MICs of calcium hydroxide and propolis were measured by serial dilution and agar dilution methods, respectively. The statistical tests of ANOVA and Duncan post-hoc were used to compare different medications.

RESULTS:

MICs and CFUs of propolis were dramatically less than calcium hydroxide. The difference between the groups was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION:

Our results reveal that propolis is an effective antimicrobial intracanal agent. 

Anti-Parasitic Effect of Propolis Prolongs Life

Once again, Propolis demonstrates its numerous qualities of protecting life of not only humans, but animals as well. Hopefully, there'll be a follow up to this study to determine what dose would be effective in vivo, since it's impossible to overdose on Propolis...

Susceptibility of Trypanosoma evansi to Propolis Extract in vitro and in Experimentally Infected Rats

Research in Veterinary Science, 2012, December, Volume 93

Current therapy of Trypanosoma evansi infections is not effective for the vast majority of animals with relapsing parasitemia and clinical signs. Recently, attention is being focused on the antiparasitic activity of propolis.

This study evaluated the susceptibility of T. evansi to propolis extract in vitro and in vivo.

A dose-dependent trypanocidal activity of propolis extract was observed in vitro. All trypomastigotes were killed 1 h after incubation with 10 μg mL−1 of the extract. In vivo, the concentrations of 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg kg−1 administered orally for 10 consecutive days showed no curative effect, and the rats died from the disease. However, rats treated with the two highest concentrations of propolis extract showed higher longevity than the other groups.

Based on these data, we concluded that T. evansi is susceptible to propolis in vitro. Despite the lack of curative efficacy observed in vivo at the concentrations tested, the propolis extract can prolong life in rats infected with the protozoan.

No Risk of Heavy Metals in Bee Pollen

Mark another victory for honeybees to collect only the "good stuff". Like humans going to the market for fresh produce, honey bees are selective about what they collect, whether it be pollen or nectar or tree resin. Similarly, even after the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, honey harvested in the area contained no radiation...

Study of the Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn Dynamics in Soil, Plants and Bee Pollen from the Region of Teresina (PI), Brazil

An AcadBras Cienc, 2012 Oct 4

The purpose of this study is to characterize native bee plants regarding their capacity to extract and accumulate trace elements from the soil and its consequences to the sanity of the produced pollen.

The trace elements Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn were analyzed in soil, plants and bee pollen from Teresina region (PI), Brazil, by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Considering the studied plant species, Cu and Pb metals presented in the highest levels in the roots of B. platypetala with 47.35 and 32.71 μg.mL-1 and H. suaveolens with 39.69 and 17.06 μg.mL-1, respectively, while in the aerial parts Mn and Zn metals presented the highest levels in S. verticillata with 199.18 and 85.73 μg.mL-1. In the pollen, the levels of Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn vary from 5.44 to 11.75 μg.mL-1; 34.31 to 85.75 μg.mL-1; 13.98 to 18.19 μg.mL-1 and 50.19 to 90.35 μg.mL-1, respectively.

These results indicate that in the apicultural pasture the translocation (from soil to pollen) of Mn and Zn was more effective than in case of Cu and Pb, therefore, the bee pollen can be used as food supplement without causing risks to human health.

Bee Pollen Holds Nutritional Value Even After One Year

This is encouraging news for beekeepers and consumers on how best to protect the nutrional value of the B complex vitamins in this complete food. It's not suprising to see that, as with honey, its best to keep your bee products away from sunlight...

Presence and Stability of B Complex Vitamins in Bee Pollen Using Different Storage Conditions

Food ChemToxicol, 2012 Sep 25

This study has the objective of evaluating the stability of B complex vitamins and its vitamers, for a period of one year of storage. The pollen samples were stored under room temperature (with and without light) and frozen. 

The vitamins were quantified by HPLC with fluorescence detection. All proposed vitamins were found in the samples and the dehydration process didn't interfere in vitamin content. The variations were (dry basis): 0.59-1.09 mg/100g (B(1)); 1.73-2.56 (B(2)); 6.43-15.34 (PP) and 0.33-0.68 (B(6)).

After one year of storage, it can be stated that vitamin B(1) concentration remained constant, while for the others, the concentration loss was dependent on time rather than on storage conditions. 

All samples were considered Vitamin B(2) sources. The influence of the storage time in the concentrations of vitamin B6 and PP was explained mathematically, through linear regression equations of multivariate analysis.

Propolis - The Melanoma Assassin

Propolis possesses numerous bioflavonoids and Galangin is commonly found in Propolis from the Northern Hemisphere in areas with Poplar trees. Yet this anti-cancerous characteristic is consistently present with all Propolis, since there are other bioflavonoids which possess this capacity...

Galangin Induces B16F10 Melanoma Cell Apoptosis Via Mitochondrial Pathway and Sustained Activation of p38 MAPK

Cytotechnology, 2012 Sep 22

Galangin, an active flavonoid present at high concentration in Alpinia officinarum Hance and propolis, shows cytotoxicity towards several cancer cell lines, including melanoma. However, the specific cellular targets of galangin-induced cytotoxicity in melanoma are still unknown.

Here, we investigated the effects of galangin in B16F10 melanoma cells and explored the possible molecular mechanisms. Galangin significantly decreased cell viability of B16F10 cells, and also induced cell apoptosis shown by Hoechst 33342 staining and Annexin V-PI double staining flow cytometric assay.

Furthermore, upon galangin treatment, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential was observed by JC-1 staining. Western blotting analysis indicated that galangin activated apoptosis signaling cascades by cleavage of procaspase-9, procaspase-3 and PARP in B16F10 cells. Moreover, galangin significantly induced activation of phosphor-p38 MAPK in a time and dose dependent manner. SB203580, an inhibitor of p38, partially attenuated galangin-induced apoptosis in B16F10 cells.

Taken together, this work suggests that galangin has the potential to be a promising agent for melanoma treatment and may be further evaluated as a chemotherapeutic agent.

Royal Jelly Improves Mental Health, Glucose Tolerance, Red Blood Cells

If these results occurred in 6 months, imagine what Royal Jelly could do OR prevent from happening during a lifetime. After consuming Royal Jelly and Propolis continuously over the past 17 years, this beekeeper possesses a clean bill of health. Coincidence or chance?...

Effect of Royal Jelly Ingestion for Six Months on Healthy Volunteers

Nutritional Journal, 2012 Sep 21

BACKGROUND:

Royal jelly is a widely ingested supplement for health, but its effects on humans are not well known. The objective was to evaluate the effects of long-term royal jelly ingestion on humans.

METHODS:

We conducted a randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. A total of 61 healthy volunteers aged 42-83 years were enrolled and were randomly divided into a royal jelly group (n = 31) and a control group (n = 30). Three hundred mg of royal jelly (RJ) or a placebo in 100 ml liquid/day were ingested for 6 months. The primary outcomes were changes in anthropometric measurements and biochemical indexes from baseline to 6 months after intervention.

RESULTS:

Thirty subjects in the RJ group and 26 in the control group were included in the analysis of endpoints. In an adjusted mean change of the variables from the baseline, significant differences between the two groups could be found in red blood cell counts (+0.16x106 /muL for the RJ group vs. -0.01x106 /muL for the control group, P = 0.0134), hematocrit (+0.9% vs. -0.8%, P = 0.0251), log (fasting plasma glucose) (+0.01 +/- 0.01 log mg/dL vs. +0.05 +/- 0.01 log mg/dL, P = 0.0297), log (insulinogenic index) (+0.25 vs. -0.13, P = 0.0319), log dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) (+0.08 log mug/dL vs. +0.20 log mug/dL, P = 0.0483), log testosterone (T) (+0.12 +/- 0.04 log ng/mL vs. -0.02 +/- 0.05 log ng/mL, P = 0.0416), log T/DHEA-S ratio (+0.05 +/- 0.05 vs. -0.23 +/- 0.59, P = 0.0015), and in one of the SF-36 subscale scores, mental health (MH) (+4 vs. -7, P = 0.0276).

CONCLUSIONS:

Six-month ingestion of RJ in humans improved erythropoiesis, glucose tolerance and mental health. Acceleration of conversion from DHEA-S to T by RJ may have been observed among these favorable effects.