Honey - The New Anti-Cancer Agent

A thorough review of the latest studies on honey, confirming that it's more than a sweetener, but preventative medicine that should be taken daily, starting at a very early age to avoid the ills of modern society...

Effects of Honey and Its Mechanisms of Action on the Development and Progression of Cancer

Molecules 2014, Feb

Abstract: 

Honey is a natural product known for its varied biological or pharmacological activities—ranging from anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antihypertensive to hypoglycemic effects. 

This review article focuses on the role of honey in modulating the development and progression of tumors or cancers. It reviews available evidence (some of which is very recent) with regards to the antimetastatic, antiproliferative and anticancer effects of honey in various forms of cancer. These effects of honey have been thoroughly investigated in certain cancers such as breast, liver and colorectal cancer cell lines. In contrast, limited but promising data are available for other forms of cancers including prostate, bladder, endometrial, kidney, skin, cervical, oral and bone cancer cells. 

Honey blockage of the 3 stages of cancerogenesis

The article also underscores the various possible mechanisms by which honey may inhibit growth and proliferation of tumors or cancers. These include regulation of cell cycle, activation of mitochondrial pathway, induction of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, induction of apoptosis, modulation of oxidative stress, amelioration of inflammation, modulation of insulin signaling and inhibition of angiogenesis. Honey is highly cytotoxic against tumor or cancer cells while it is non-cytotoxic to normal cells. 

The data indicate that honey can inhibit carcinogenesis by modulating the molecular processes of initiation, promotion, and progression stages. Thus, it may serve as a potential and promising anticancer agent which warrants further experimental and clinical studies.

For the complete review, click here.

Bee Venom Prevents Acne Inflammation

Bee venom, the most feared of all bee products, is advancing in the beauty sector, offering a natural alternative to rejuvenating the skin and now as a natural acne treatment. A separate study last year found the same positive results in treating acne... 

The protective effects of melittin on Propionibacterium acnes-induced inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo

J InvestDermatol, 2014 Feb 4

Abstract:

Melittin is the main component in the venom of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). It has multiple effects including anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory activities, in various cell types. However, the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of melittin have not been elucidated in Propionibactierium acnes (P. acnes) induced keratinocyte or inflammatory skin disease animal models. 

In this study, we examined the effects of melittin on the production of inflammatory cytokines in heat-killed P. acnes-induced HaCaT cells. Heat-killed P. acnes treated keratinocytes increased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and toll like receptor 2. However, melittin treatment significantly suppressed the expression of these cytokines through regulation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. 

Subsequently, we examined the living P. acnes (1 × 107 CFU) were intradermally injected into the ear of mice. Living P. acnes injected ears showed cutaneous erythema, swelling, and granulomatous response at 24 h after injection. However, melittin-treated ears showed markedly reduced swelling and granulomatous responses compared with ears injected with only living P. acnes. 

These results demonstrate the feasibility of applying melittin for the prevention of inflammatory skin diseases induced by P. acnes.

French Propolis May Help Treat Alzheimers, Diabetes and Atherosclerosis

Propolis, with over 300 compounds identified, is a very rich source of antioxidants stemming from its many phenolic sources. This study confirms the importance of one particular component, Pinobanksin-3-acetate, harvested by bees from Poplar trees in France...

Chemical composition, antioxidant and anti-AGEs activities of a French poplar type propolis

J Agric Food Chem, 2014 Jan

Accumulation in tissues and serum of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) plays an important role in pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease or, in the event of complications of diabetes, atherosclerosis or renal failure. Therefore there is a potential therapeutic interest in compounds able to lower intra and extracellular levels of AGEs. Among them, natural antioxidants (AO) with true anti-AGEs capabilities would represent good candidates for development.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the AO and anti-AGEs potential of a propolis batch, then to identify the main compounds responsible for these effects. In vivo, protein glycation and oxidative stress are closely related. Thus AO and antiglycation activities were respectively evaluated using both DPPH and ORAC assays as well as a newly developed automated anti-AGEs test.

Several propolis extracts exhibited very good AO and anti-AGEs activities and a bio-guided fractionation allowed us to identify pinobanksin-3-acetate as the most active component.

Royal Jelly Prevents Testicular Damage from Anticancer Drug

We normally see royal jelly supporting the nervous and cardiovascular systems, horomonal production and boosting vitality. Surprisingly, this study found it also protects from the negative side effects of a chemotherapy drug, as well as sperm viability. Amazing as it seems, bee products have a capacity of not only protecting but enhancing our health...

Royal jelly protects from taxol-induced testicular damages via improvement of antioxidant status and up-regulation of E2f1

Syst Biol Reprod Med, 2013 Dec

This study was carried out to evaluate the protective effects of royal jelly (RJ) on taxol (TXL)-induced damage of the testis. 

Wistar rats were divided into control and test groups. The test group was divided into five subgroups; the first four groups along with TXL administration (7.5 mg/kg body weight (bw), weekly), received various doses of RJ (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg bw). The last group received only RJ at 100 mg/kg. Royal jelly lowered the TXL-induced malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels and enhanced the total thiol molecules in the testis. Remarkably RJ reduced the TXL-induced pathological injuries such as cellular shrinkage and seminiferous tubule depletion. Taxol-reduced sperm viability (27.5 ± 2.98 % vs. 85.0 ± 8.6% in the control group) was recovered by RJ administration as 80.5 ± 10.6% of the sperm were found alive in the group of animals which received 150 mg/kg RJ. The TXL-exposed and TXL plus RJ-administered animals showed a significant up-regulation of transcription factor E2f1 mRNA.

Our data suggest that the TXL-induced histopathological and biochemical alterations could be protected by the administration of RJ. The RJ protective effects might be attributed to its antioxidant capacity and its capability in the regulation of E2f1 expression.