Royal Jelly Found to Help Type 2 Diabetics

An exciting new study revealing the positive effects of royal jelly on Type 2 Diabetes, which is quite amazing as honey is now recommend for Type 1 diabetics. This is part of a continuing thread in current research consistently showing the preventative effects of bee products on chronic illnesses.

Effects of royal jelly supplementation on glycemic control and oxidative stress factors in type 2 diabetic female: a randomized clinical trial

Chin J Integr Med, 2014 Mar 7

OBJECTIVE:

It has been proposed that royal jelly has antioxidant properties and may improve oxidative stress and glycemic control. Therefore, we investigated the effects of royal jelly supplementation in diabetic females.

METHODS:

In this pilot, parallel design randomized clinical trial, 50 female volunteers with type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated to the supplemented (25, cases) and placebo (25, cases) groups, based on random block procedure produced by Random Allocation Software, given a daily dose of 1,000 mg royal jelly soft gel or placebo, respectively, for 8 weeks. Before and after intervention, glycemic control indices, antioxidant and oxidative stress factors were measured.

RESULTS:

After royal jelly supplementation, the mean fasting blood glucose decreased remarkably (163.05±42.51 mg/dL vs. 149.68±42.7 mg/dL). Royal jelly supplementation resulted in significant reduction in the mean serum glycosylated hemoglobin levels (8.67%±2.24% vs. 7.05%±1.45%, P=0.001) and significant elevation in the mean insulin concentration (70.28±29.16 pmol/L vs. 86.46±27.50 pmol/L, P=0.01). Supplementation significantly increased erythrocyte superoxidase dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and decreased malondialdehyde levels (P < 0.05). At the end of study, the mean total antioxidant capacity elevated insignificantly in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

On the basis of our findings, it seems that royal jelly supplementation may be beneficial in controlling diabetes outcomes. Further studies with larger sample size are warranted.

Brain Tumors Suppressed with Honey as Adjuvant Agent

This new study finds honey a promising adjuvant treatment to stop brain tumor cell growth. It worked well against the cells and enhanced the effects of the drug temozolomide. Honey is good medicine and good food with many preventative benefits against chronic diseases. Besides honey, propolis is also very complementary and an ideal adjuvant agent...

Polish Natural Bee Honeys Are Anti-Proliferative and Anti-Metastatic Agents in Human Glioblastoma multiforme U87MG Cell Line

PLOS One, 2014, March 4

Honey has been used as food and a traditional medicament since ancient times. However, recently many scientists have been concentrating on the anti-oxidant, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and other properties of honey.

In this study, we investigated for the first time an anticancer effect of different honeys from Poland on tumor cell line - glioblastoma multiforme U87MG. Anti-proliferative activity of honeys and its interferences with temozolomide were determined by a cytotoxicity test and DNA binding by [H3]-thymidine incorporation. A gelatin zymography was used to conduct an evaluation of metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) expression in U87MG treatment with honey samples. 

The honeys were previously tested qualitatively (diastase activity, total phenolic content, lead and cadmium content). The data demonstrated that the examined honeys have a potent anti-proliferative effect on U87MG cell line in a time- and dose-dependent manner, being effective at concentrations as low as 0.5% (multifloral light honey - viability 53% after 72 h of incubation). We observed that after 48 h, combining honey with temozolomide showed a significantly higher inhibitory effect than the samples of honey alone. We observed a strong inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 for the tested honeys (from 20 to 56% and from 5 to 58% compared to control, respectively).

Our results suggest that Polish honeys have an anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effect on U87MG cell line. Therefore, natural bee honey can be considered as a promising adjuvant treatment for brain tumors.

Bone Quality Enhanced with Royal Jelly

Major discoveries were made last year in researching Royal Jelly, identifying new proteins and compounds that add to its amazing effects on humans and animals. This study gives it further credibility as an ideal supplement for mature adults, providing tonus and energy, supporting brain functions and now enhancing bone quality.

Royal jelly affects collagen crosslinking in bone of ovariectomized rats

Journal of Functional Foods, 2014 February 11

Royal jelly (RJ) is an essential food for queen bees, and it reportedly has estrogen-like activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of RJ intake on bone quality with a focus on the posttranslational modifications of type I collagen. RJ was fed to ovariectomized (OVX) rats for 12 weeks. RJ intake did not affect OVX-induced reduction in bone volume at the femur epiphysis; however, the reduction of collagen crosslinks (pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline), which represent an aspect of bone quality, were significantly mitigated. In cultured MC3T3-E1osteoblasts, RJ treatment did not affect cell proliferation, cell differentiation, matrix formation, or mineralization.

However, RJ treatment did stimulate expression of plods, which encode lysyl hydroxylase isoforms that control the collagen crosslinking pathway, and it also affected collagen crosslinking.

These results indicate that oral intake of RJ could improve bone quality by modulating the posttranslational modification of type I collagen.

Propolis Suppresses Breast Cancer Cells

The rich phenolic compounds in propolis work better together than when separated and fortunately they uncovered this important point in this review. It reinforces other studies defining the anticancer effects of propolis. They describe it as a 'honeybee-produced naturopathic formulation'. 

Propolis and its Active Component, Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE), Modulate Breast Cancer Therapeutic Targets via an Epigenetically Mediated Mechanism of Action.

J Cancer Sci Ther, 2013, Oct

Abstract:

Alternative remedies for cancer treatment is a multi-billion dollar industry. In particular, breast cancer (BC) patients use alternative and natural remedies more frequently than patients with other malignancies. 

Propolis is an example of a honeybee-produced naturopathic formulation, contents of which differ by geographic location. It is readily available, affordable, and in use safely since ancient times globally. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a major active component in propolis and is thought to be responsible for its varied properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer. CAPE is effective in many models of human cancer, including BC as we have previously shown. CAPE affects genes associated with tumor cell growth and survival, angiogenesis and chemoresistance. We demonstrate that these are related in part to CAPE's role as a histone deacetylase inhibitor, a class of drugs designated as epigenetic agents that modulate the activities of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.

CAPE and propolis, cause an accumulation of acetylated histone proteins in MCF-7 (ER+) and MDA-MB-231 (ER-/PR-/Her2-) cells with associated decreases in ER and PR in MCF-7 cells, and upregulation of ER and decrease in EGFR in MDA-231 cells. In addition, these products reduced activated phosphorylated Her2 protein in SKBR3 (Her2 +) cells. 

Interestingly, propolis, when normalized for CAPE content, appears to be more potent than CAPE alone similarly to the greater effects of complete foods than isolated components. These data provide a potential mechanistic basis for one of the oldest naturopathic agents used in medicine and cancer treatment.

For a complete copy of this review, click here.

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.