Multiresistant Pathogens Inhibited by Numerous Honeys

All honey, if treated correctly, will express the same types of therapeutic activity. It's the heating and filtering of honey by large companies processing massive amounts that ruin the healthy enyzmes resident in it and weaken or destroy its healing qualities...

Differences in Composition of Honey Samples and Their Impact on the Antimicrobial Activities against Drug Multiresistant Bacteria and Pathogenic Fungi

Archives of Medical Research, 2013, May 15

Background and Aims

Antibiotic multiresistant microbes represent a challenging problem. Because honey has a potent antibacterial property, the antimicrobial effects of different honey samples against multiresistant pathogens and their compositions were investigated.

Methods

Five honey samples were used: Talah, Dhahian, Sumra-1, Sidr, and Sumra-2. Samples were analyzed to determine chemical composition such as fructose, glucose, sucrose, pH, total flavonoids, total phenolics, hydrogen peroxide concentration, minerals and trace elements. Antimicrobial activities of the samples against 17 (16 were multiresistant) human pathogenic bacteria and three types of fungi were studied. Specimens of the isolates were cultured into 10 mL of 10–100% (volume/volume) honey diluted in broth. Microbial growth was assessed on a solid plate media after 24 h and 72 h incubation.

Results

The composition of honey samples varied considerably. Sumra 1 and 2 contained the highest level of flavonoids and phenolics and the lowest level of hydrogen peroxide, whereas Dhahian honey contained the highest level of hydrogen peroxide. Sixteen pathogens were antibiotic multiresistant. A single dose of each honey sample inhibited all the pathogens tested after 24 h and 72 h incubation. The most sensitive pathogens were Aspergillus nidulans, Salmonella typhimurum and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). Although there was no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of honey samples, the most effective honey against bacteria was Talah and against fungi were Dhahian and Sumra-2.

Conclusions

Various honey samples collected from different geographical areas and plant origins showed almost similar antimicrobial activities against multiresistant pathogens despite considerable variation in their composition. Honey may represent an alternative candidate to be tested as part of management of drug multiresistant pathogens.

Research Confirms Effectiveness of Propolis

A great recap of modern research, advancing the role of this powerful protector from honey bees. Propolis is an important contribution to modern medicine...

Historical Aspects of Propolis Research in Modern Times

Evidence-BasedComplementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013 March

Propolis (bee glue) has been known for centuries. The ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians were aware of the healing properties of propolis and made extensive use of it as a medicine. In the middle ages, propolis was not a very popular topic and its use in mainstream medicine disappeared. However, the knowledge of medicinal properties of propolis survived in traditional folk medicine. The interest in propolis returned in Europe together with the renaissance theory of ad fontes. It has only been in the last century that scientists have been able to prove that propolis is as active and important as our forefathers thought. Research on chemical composition of propolis started at the beginning of the twentieth century and was continued after WW II. Advances in chromatographic analytical methods enabled separation and extraction of several components from propolis. At least 180 different compounds have been identified so far. Its antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, anesthetic, and healing properties have been confirmed. Propolis has been effectively used in treatment of dermatological, laryngological, and gynecological problems, neurodegenerative diseases, in wound healing, and in treatment of burns and ulcers…

Conclusion

Propolis is a natural product that has been known and used by man for centuries. It is mainly because man learnt relatively early to exploit the products of domesticated honeybee. Recorded use of propolis dates back to c. 300 BC and continues today in the form of home remedies, toothpastes, creams, ointments, drops, and dietary supplement. Its numerous properties have been appreciated for very long time. However, despite numerous studies conducted all over the world so far, the constitution of propolis remains largely unknown. It requires further research that may lead to new discoveries of its composition and possible applications.

Click here to download the complete PDF.

Propolis Exhibits Antibacterial, UV, Water Repellent Protection for Eco-Friendly Textiles

Finding propolis used outside of the body in an unorthodox manner as a "green solution" is innovative. The first study of its kind, discovered Propolis enables antibacterial, UV and water repellency in cotton textiles. Of course, Stradivari also used an innovative approach in protecting his precious violins with a coating of propolis...

Propolis Induced Antibacterial Activity and Other Technical Properties of Cotton Textiles

Int J BiolMacromol, 2013 May 8

Propolis is a gum gathered by honey bees from various plants; the honey bees use propolis to seal holes in their honey combs, smooth out the internal wall and protect the entrance against intruders. It is composed of 50% resin (flavonoids and related phenolic acid), 30% wax, 10% essential oils., 5% pollen and 5% various organic components. As a natural mixture, propolis is widely used in medicine and cosmetics and food. So far no attempts have been yet made to make use of propolis in the realm of textile finishing .

Current work presents the first systemic study targeted to build up a scientific basis for production of cotton textiles having antibacterial activity and other useful properties by making use of propolis as eco-friendly finish within the scope of green strategy.

Propolis extract solution (70/30 ethanol/water) of 10% concentration was prepared as the stock. Different amounts of the latter were used along with a crosslinking agent and catalyst for treatment of cotton fabrics as per pad-dry-cure technique. Antibacterial activity of the so treated fabrics was obtained through monitoring the efficiency of the interaction of propolis with cotton cellulose. This interaction was expressed as inhibition zone diameter after the treated fabrics were exposed to (G +ve) and (G-ve) bacteria .

Other properties include crease recovery, tensile strength and elongation at break. Factors affecting these properties such as type, nature and concentration of the crosslinking agent, concentration, of propolis, and conditions of curing were investigated. In addition characterization of the propolis containing modified cotton fabrics including demonstration of the antibacterial activity, SEM, FTIR, durability to washing, UV protection and water repellency were performed.

Based on results obtained, it is concluded that application of propolis along with glyoxal and Al2(SO4)3 catalyst using pad-dry (3min./80°C), cure(5/140°C) bring about cotton textile with superior antibacterial activity, water repellent and ease of care characteristics as well as UV Protection. Tentative mechanism of the reaction of propolis with cotton in presence of glyoxal was also reported.

Royal Jelly Prevents Geriatric Muscle Loss

This important study confirms yet another aspect of Royal Jelly's anti-aging effectiveness in preventing issues such as muscle loss (Sarcopenia), mental clarity (Parkinsons, Alzheimers), skin conditions, lack of vitality, etc. Other studies on this blog, confirm the positive results in combating these problems through the consumption of Royal Jelly...

Royal Jelly Prevents the Progression of Sarcopenia in Aged Mice In Vivo and In Vitro

J GerontolA Biol Sci Med Sci, 2013 May 8

Sarcopenia is characterized by the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. One of the mechanisms of sarcopenia is the loss in the function and number of muscle satellite cells.

Royal jelly (RJ) is a health food used worldwide. To obtain better digestion and absorption than RJ, protease-treated RJ (pRJ) has been developed. RJ and pRJ have been suggested to have potential pharmacological benefits such as prolonging the life span and reducing fatigue. Because these effects may improve sarcopenia and the functions of satellite cells, we examined the effects of RJ or pRJ treatment on the skeletal muscles in an animal model using aged mice.

In vivo, RJ/pRJ treatment attenuated the decrease in the muscle weight and grip strength and increased the regenerating capacity of injured muscles and the serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels compared with controls. In vitro, using isolated satellite cells from aged mice, pRJ treatment increased the cell proliferation rate, promoted cell differentiation, and activated Akt intracellular signaling pathway compared with controls.

These findings suggest that RJ/pRJ treatment had a beneficial effect on age-related sarcopenia.

Propolis Ointment Accelerates Wound Healing

Well known for it's anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, propolis also stimulates wound healing, cell metabolism and circulation...

Topical Treatment of Nonhealing Venous Leg Ulcer with Propolis Ointment

Evid BasedComplement Alternat Med, 2013, Feb

An investigation of effectiveness of topical treatment of nonhealing chronic venous leg ulcers with propolis ointment was conducted. 56 patients were included in the study and randomized into two groups.

In group 1, there were 28 patients (ulceration area: 6.9-9.78 cm(2)) treated by means of topical propolis ointment application and short stretch bandage compression. In group 2, there were 29 patients (ulceration area: 7.2-9.4 cm(2)) treated by means of Unna boot leg compression without topical propolis treatment. In the study, the efficacy of both treatment methods in patients with resistive venous leg ulcers was compared.

The ulceration of patients from group 1 healed completely after 6 weeks of therapy in all cases. In all patients from group 2, the process of healing was longer but successfully completed after 16 weeks of the therapy.

We found that an adjunctive propolis ointment treatment increases the efficacy of the short stretch bandage compression stocking, and this combined treatment is more effective than Unna's boot compression alone...

“The propolis skin cream appears to have beneficial effects on burn wounds, inflammation of the skin, and other skin lesions. According to the results of our study, it can also be concluded that propolis skin ointment appears to have beneficial effects on healing venous ulcers. Propolis has been shown to stimulate various enzyme systems, cell metabolism, circulation, and collagen formation as well as improve the healing of burn wounds…”

“Another study of topical application of propolis on wounds, burns, and ulcers showed up to an 80% accelerated healing process compared to the controls using routine healing regimes. Treated individuals (229 patients in total) underwent applications of the propolis containing cream at two propolis concentrations (2% and 8%). The higher concentration caused local intolerance in 18% of patients by day 9, whereas the lower concentration caused adverse symptoms in only 1.8% of patients by day 16…”

Propolis: Adjuvant Agent for Cancer Prevention

Honeybees have been using the resin that protects tree buds from disease for preventative action in their hives. It's now recognized by humans for having therapeutic and preventative effects. I wonder what else we could learn from honey bees...

Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology

June 2013, Volume 44, Issue 3, pp 262-273

Propolis, a waxy substance produced by the honeybee, has been adopted as a form of folk medicine since ancient times. It has a wide spectrum of alleged applications including potential anti-infection and anticancer effects. Many of the therapeutic effects can be attributed to its immunomodulatory functions. The composition of propolis can vary according to the geographic locations from where the bees obtained the ingredients.

Two main immunopotent chemicals have been identified as caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and artepillin C. Propolis, CAPE, and artepillin C have been shown to exert summative immunosuppressive function on T lymphocyte subsets but paradoxically activate macrophage function. On the other hand, they also have potential antitumor properties by different postulated mechanisms such as suppressing cancer cells proliferation via its anti-inflammatory effects; decreasing the cancer stem cell populations; blocking specific oncogene signaling pathways; exerting antiangiogenic effects; and modulating the tumor microenvironment.

The good bioavailability by the oral route and good historical safety profile makes propolis an ideal adjuvant agent for future immunomodulatory or anticancer regimens. However, standardized quality controls and good design clinical trials are essential before either propolis or its active ingredients can be adopted routinely in our future therapeutic armamentarium. 

Royal Jelly Protection from Radiation Therapy

One element we consistently find in studies is the protective properties of honey bee products. Now, more proof of Royal Jelly's protective effects from radiation or Radiotherapy. These protective qualities are also true with Honey, Propolis, Bee Pollen and when combined generate a Synergistic effect enhancing all their protective properties...

Effect of Royal Jelly on Serum Trace Elements in Rats Undergoing Head and Neck Irradiation

Kulak BurunBogaz Ihtis Derg, 2013 Jan-Feb;23(1):37-43

OBJECTIVES:

This study aims to investigate the effects of radiation on serum trace elements and the changes in these elements as induced by royal jelly in rats undergoing head and neck irradiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley male rats at the age of eight weeks with a mean weight of 275±35 g were included in the study. Subjects were divided into four groups with eight rats in each group: group 1: controls (C), group 2: radiation-only (RT), group 3: radiation plus royal jelly 50 mg/kg (RT+RJ50) and group 4: royal jelly 50 mg/kg-only (RJ50). Radiotherapy was applied to the head and neck area by single fraction at a dose of 22 Gy. The royal jelly was given once daily for seven days. The subjects were sacrificed on the seventh day of the study. Trace elements in blood samples were measured using ICP/MS method.

RESULTS:

When the trace element levels among the groups were compared using ANOVA test, a statistically significant difference was found in Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cr, K, Mg, Pb, Se, and Sn levels. No significant difference was found in the levels of Ag, Ba, Co, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, Mn, Na, Ni, Rb, Sr, Ti, U, V, and Zn (p > 0.05). It was observed that oxidative stress was reduced in the radiation plus royal jelly group, compared to the radiation-only group.

CONCLUSION:

Our study results suggest that head and neck irradiation increases oxidative stress, leading to some changes in the trace element levels, while royal jelly exhibits a protective effect against the oxidative stress induced by radiation.