Intl German Apitherapy Congress & Expo, 22-26 March

A truly great learning experience for beginners and advanced practitioners of Apitherapy, covering a full range of applications, techniques and personal experience...

11th Annual International German Apitherapy Congress, Expo and Workshops

Passau, Germany

March 22-26, 2013

Venue: 

IBBHotel, Passau

Congress Main Themes :

1. Prevention and Treatment of Rheumatism and Diabetes with Bee Products.

2. Update on the Apitherapy Science and Practice in China.

3. New Clinical Apitherapy Experiences from the Practice.

Click here for the Preliminary Program

Propolis Flavonoid Has Chemotherapeutic Effect

Propolis has numerous flavonoids, each with certain properties, frequently overlapping with other bioflavonoids. Such is the case with Galangin, a flavonoid commonly identified in areas where Poplar trees are present. It also possesses antimicrobial, antimycotic (anti-fungal), bacteriostatic and wound healing properties... 

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.

Honey Protects Humans From Chronic Diseases

This is a gem of a study! It identifies several important elements 1) role of phenolic compounds, i.e., nectar sources 2) flavonoids aid human health 3) positive glycemic effect. Now, beekeepers need to improve processing practices that preserve these elements and educate consumers honey is also medicine and should not be clear as water and remain liquid for life (except for a few rare sources, such as Acacia Honey)...

Honey as a Source of Dietary Antioxidants: Structures, Bioavailability and Evidence of Protective Effects Against Human Chronic Diseases

Curr MedChem, 2012 Dec 28

In the long human tradition honey has been used not only as a nutrient but also as a medicine. Its composition is rather variable and depends on the floral source and on external factors, such as seasonal, environmental conditions and processing.

In this review, specific attention is focused on absorption, metabolism, and beneficial biological activities on human health of honey compounds.

Honey is a supersaturated solution of sugars, mainly composed of fructose (38%) and glucose (31%), containing also minerals, proteins, free amino acids, enzymes, vitamins and polyphenols. Among polyphenols, flavonoids are the most abundant and are closely related to its biological functions.

Honey positively affects risk factors for cardiovascular diseases by inhibiting inflammation, improving endothelial function, as well as the plasma lipid profile, and increasing low-density lipoprotein resistance to oxidation. Honey also displays an important antitumoral capacity, where polyphenols again are considered responsible for its complementary and overlapping mechanisms of chemopreventive activity in multistage carcinogenesis, by inhibiting mutagenesis or inducing apoptosis.

Moreover, honey positively modulates the glycemic response by reducing blood glucose, serum fructosamine or glycosylated hemoglobin concentrations and exerts antibacterial properties caused by its consistent amount of hydrogen peroxide and non-peroxide factors as flavonoids, methylglyoxal and defensin-1 peptide.

In conclusion, the evidence of the biological actions of honey can be ascribed to its polyphenolic contents which, in turn, are usually associated to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, as well as to its cardiovascular, antiproliferative and antimicrobial benefits.

Propolis Protects Kidneys from Aluminum Toxicity

Propolis is the natural protector for humans and animals. It's been proven in numerous studies to protect the body from commonly occuring illnesses, as well as more toxic situations, such as this example. You'll find even more references to its protective nature with other internal organs such as the liver and the intestines in this blog...

Role of Propolis (Bee Glue) in Improving Histopathological Changes of the Kidney of Rat Treated with Aluminum Chloride

EnvironToxicol, 2012 Nov 22

Humans are frequently exposed to aluminum from various food additives, therapeutic treatments and the environment, and it can be potentially toxic. This study is aimed to elucidate the protective effects of propolis against aluminum chloride (AlCl(3) )-induced histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in kidney tissues of rats. 

Sixty Wistar Albino male rats (average weight 250-300 g) were divided into three equal groups. The first served as a negative control. The second received AlCl(3) (34 mg/kg bw, 1/ 25 LD 50). The third were administered AlCl(3) (34 mg/kg bw, 1/ 25 LD 50) plus propolis (50 mg/kg bw). Doses were given once daily via a gavage for 8 weeks every day.

The results showed that shrunken glomeruli, intraglomerular congestion, loss of apical microvilli, degeneration of mitochondria and widened rough endoplasmic reticulum were also observed in the Proximal Convoluted Tubules of these animals. Treatment with propolis ameliorated the harmful effects of AlCl(3) ; this was also proved histopathologically by the noticeable improvement in the renal tissues. There were also significant variations in the expressed of ki-67 and p53 proteins.

It can be concluded that propolis may be promising as a natural therapeutic agent in AlCl(3) -induced renal toxicity and oxidative stress in rat kidneys.

Royal Jelly Improves Memory, Hope for Alzheimer Victims

Royal Jelly is frequently referred to as a "Brain Booster" and this study takes it another step further by demonstrating improved memory and spatial learning, significant relevance for Alzheimer sufferers. Another important finding is the use of freeze-dried Royal Jelly, which eliminates obstacles such as the bitter taste and inconvenience of consuming fresh Royal Jelly... 

Effect of Royal Jelly on Spatial Learning and Memory in Rat Model of Streptozotocin-Induced Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease

Adv BiomedRes, 2012;1:26

BACKGROUND:

It has been recently demonstrated that Royal jelly (RJ) has a beneficial role on neural functions. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with impairments of learning and memory. Therefore, the present study was designed to examine the effect of RJ on spatial learning and memory in rats after intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (icv-STZ).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Rats were infused bilaterally with an icv injection of STZ, while sham rats received vehicle only. The rats were feed with RJ-contained food (3% w/w) (lyophilized RJ mixed with powdered regular food) or regular food for 10 days. Then spatial learning and memory was tested in the rats by Morris water maze test.

RESULTS:

Results showed that in icv-STZ group latency and path length were increased as compared to sham group, also icv-STZ rats less remembered the target quadrant that previously the platform was located; however, these were protected significantly in STZ group that received RJ-containing food.

Synergistic Effects of Honey and Propolis Against Drug Resistant Strains

In documentation worldwide, you find this is consistently true - products of the hive have greater effects when consumed together. It makes sense, especially when you understand that they also work well with herbal remedies...

Synergistic Effects of Honey and Propolis Toward Drug Multi-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Escherichia Coli and Candida Albicans Isolates in Single and Polymicrobial Cultures

Int J Med Sci, 2012;9

Background: 

Propolis and honey are natural bee products with wide range of biological and medicinal properties. The study investigated antimicrobial activity of ethyl alcohol extraction of propolis collected from Saudi Arabia (EEPS) and from Egypt (EEPE), and their synergistic effect when used with honey. Single and polymicrobial cultures of antibiotic resistant human pathogens were tested.

Material and methods: 

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus),), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Candida albicans (C.albicans) were cultured in 10-100% (v/v) honey diluted in broth, or 0.08-1.0% (weight/volume) EEPS and EEPE diluted in broth. Four types of polymicrobial cultures were prepared by culturing the isolates with each other in broth (control) and broth containing various concentrations of honey or propolis. Microbial growth was assessed on solid plate media after 24 h incubation.

Results: 

EEPS and EEPE inhibited antibiotic resistant E.coli, and S.aureus, and C.albicans in single and polymicrobial cultures. S.aureus became more susceptible when it was cultured with E.coli or C.albicans or when all cultured together. C.albicans became more susceptible when it was cultured with S.aureus or with E.coli and S. aureus together. The presence of ethyl alcohol or honey potentiated antimicrobial effect of propolis toward entire microbes tested in single or polymicrobial cultures. EEPS had lower MIC toward E.coli and C.albicans than EEPE. When propolis was mixed with honey, EEPS showed lower MIC than EEPE. In addition, honey showed lower MIC toward entire microbes when mixed with EEPS than when it was mixed with EEPE.

Conclusion: 

1) propolis prevents the growth of the microorganisms in single and mixed microbial cultures, and has synergistic effect when used with honey or ethyl alcohol, 2) the antimicrobial property of propolis varies with geographical origin, and 3) this study will pave the way to isolate active ingredients from honey and propolis to be further tested individually or in combination against human resistant infections.

Bee Venom Controls Allergic Asthma Response

As surprising as it may seem, bee venom has therapeutic value not only with this study using BV injections, but a new trend in Germany provides asthmatics the ability to inhale bee hive air. There individuals sit behind a beehive and via a tube, inhale air coming out of the beehive. They have identified minute doses of phenolic compounds found in honey, beeswax and propolis but this air also contains bee venom...

Bee Venom Ameliorates Ovalbumin Induced Allergic Asthma Via Modulating CD4(+)CD25(+) Regulatory T Cells in Mice

Cytokine, 2012 Oct 30

Asthma is a potentially life-threatening inflammatory disease of the lung characterized by the presence of large numbers of CD4(+) T cells. These cells produce the Th2 and Th17 cytokines that are thought to orchestrate the inflammation associated with asthma.

Bee venom (BV) has traditionally been used to relieve pain and to treat chronic inflammatory diseases. Recent reports have suggested that BV might be an effective treatment for allergic diseases. However, there are still unanswered questions related to the efficacy of BV therapy in treating asthma and its therapeutic mechanism.

In this study, we evaluated whether BV could inhibit asthma and whether BV inhibition of asthma could be correlated with regulatory T cells (Treg) activity. We found that BV treatment increased Treg populations and suppressed the production of Th1, Th2 and Th17-related cytokines in an in vitro culture system, including IL2, IL4, and IL17. Interestingly, production of IL10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine secreted by Tregs, was significantly augmented by BV treatment. We next evaluated the effects of BV treatment on allergic asthma in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse model of allergic asthma. Cellular profiling of the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and histopathologic analysis demonstrated that peribronchial and perivascular inflammatory cell infiltrates were significantly lowered following BV treatment. BV also ameliorated airway hyperresponsiveness, a hallmark symptom of asthma. In addition, IL4 and IL13 levels in the BAL fluid were decreased in the BV treated group.

Surprisingly, the beneficial effects of BV treatment on asthma were eradicated following Treg depletion by anti-CD25 antibody injection, suggesting that the major therapeutic targets of BV were Tregs.

These results indicate that BV efficiently diminishes bronchial inflammation in an OVA-induced allergic asthma murine model, and that this effect might correlate with Tregs, which play an important role in maintaining immune homeostasis and suppressing the function of other T cells to limit the immune response. These results also suggest that BV has potential therapeutic value for controlling allergic asthma responses.