Study Confirms Propolis is a Safe, Antidiabetic Agent

This is an amazing discovery for diabetics, as the use of propolis aids the body by regulating the immune system to protect it. As it's been described, honey bees make propolis from a naturopathic formula, which protects the liver, pancreas and kidneys. 

Significance of propolis administration for homeostasis of CD4+CD25+ immunoregulatory T cells controlling hyperglycemia

Springer Plus, 2014 Sept 15; 3:526  

In the present study, we examined the effect of ethanolic soluble derivative of propolis (EEP) extract on immunological function in diabetic mouse models with the aim of highlighting the role of regulatory T cell, the change of cell surface molecule, and in vivo productions of IFN-gamma. Murine models of diabetes mellitus (DM) were created by injecting normal mice with S961 peptide. 

Normal BALB/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with peptide S961 300 mg/kg body weight (BW) twice a day for eight days. On day 15, the spleen was isolated; then, cell surface molecules and regulatory T cells were analyzed using flow cytometry. 

The histopathological changes were monitored in the liver of treated and control mice. Afterward, we tested the ability of propolis as an immunomodulator that initiate normality metabolism and homeostasis. 

The propolis decreased blood sugar levels and increased the number of naive T cells expressing CD62L molecule by suppressing the development of effector cells in diabetic mice. However, the propolis stimulated development of effector cells, which was indicated by increasing the number of CD4+CD25+ T cells in normal mice. 

Moreover, the propolis increased the production of IFN-gamma in normal mice, whereas in mouse models of diabetes mellitus propolis tends to suppress the production of IFN-gamma. The histological analysis of the liver shows that at a dose of 50-200 mg/kg BW propolis does not show a toxic effect so that the dose is categorized safe.

Therefore, the ethanolic soluble derivative of propolis (EEP) extract warrant for further exploited as an antidiabetic agent that safe for human.


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PMS Reduced by Consuming Royal Jelly

Royal jelly is a hormone-rich substance that is encouraged for women, whether during pregnancy or in menopause. This triple-blind study reinforces the benefits women gain when consuming royal jelly to diminish PMS. Studies dating back to the 70's, identified that a blend of bee pollen and royal jelly reduced symptoms of PMS and menopause. In fact, royal jelly plays an important role in regulating hormones, not only for women, but for men as well. 

Effect of Royal Jelly on premenstrual syndrome among Iranian medical sciences students: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study

Complement Ther Med. 2014 Aug;22(4):601-6

BACKGROUND:

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may have negative effects on women's health and sometimes need therapeutic non-pharmacological management.

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the effect of oral consumption of 1000mg Royal Jelly capsule on premenstrual syndrome.

METHOD:

This is a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, which was conducted in Tehran University of Medical Sciences female dormitories between December 2011 and October 2012. The study population comprised 110 medical sciences student with PMS, whom were randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group. Each participant in the intervention group took one Royal jelly capsule orally per day, starting on the first day of menstruation and continued the same treatment daily throughout two consecutive menstrual cycles, while participants in the intervention group took placebo capsules as same method. The outcome measure in this study was PMS score as obtained through the Premenstrual Profile 2005.

RESULTS:

The mean of personal characteristics and baseline level of the premenstrual score before intervention did not differ between groups. After two consecutive months consumption of Royal Jelly, PMS score had decreased from 23.17±17.43 to 11.42±14.58 (mean change: 11.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.31-15.19) and in Placebo, PMS score changed from 21.48±16.39 to 20.27±15.76 (mean change: 1.20; 95% CI: -1.69 to 4.10). Also difference between mean changes was significant (mean difference: 10.54; 95% CI: 6.10-14.98).

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of the study have demonstrated that 2 months consumption of Royal Jelly was effective in reducing PMS

Reduced Toxicity Achieved in Liver, Spleen & Pancreas with Apitherapy

A fantastic study revealing the "synergistic effects" of an Apitherapy diet, combining multiple bee products enhances the effects of each individual product thereby boosting the overall results. This study reaffirms the previous results which identified the detoxing effects of honey and propolis on liver and kidneys.

Effect of Apitherapy Formulations against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Toxicity in Wistar Rats after Three Weeks of Treatment

Molecules 2014, 19(9), 13374-13

The human body is exposed nowadays to increasing attacks by toxic compounds in polluted air, industrially processed foods, alcohol and drug consumption that increase liver toxicity, leading to more and more severe cases of hepatic disorders. The present paper aims to evaluate the influence of the apitherapy diet in Wistar rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity, by analyzing the biochemical determinations (enzymatic, lipid and protein profiles, coagulation parameters, minerals, blood count parameters, bilirubin levels) and histopathological changes at the level of liver, spleen and pancreas.

Liver samples

The experiment was carried out on six groups of male Wistar rats. Hepatic lesions were induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (dissolved in paraffin oil, 10% solution). Two mL per 100 g were administered, every 2 days, for 2 weeks. Hepatoprotection was achieved with two apitherapy diet formulations containing honey, pollen, propolis, Apilarnil, with/without royal jelly.

Spleen samples

Biochemical results reveal that the two apitherapy diet formulations have a positive effect on improving the enzymatic, lipid, and protein profiles, coagulation, mineral and blood count parameters and bilirubin levels. The histopathological results demonstrate the benefits of the two apitherapy diet formulations on reducing toxicity at the level of liver, spleen and pancreas in laboratory animals.

Pancreas samples

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Propolis Detoxifies Kidney of Aluminum Chloride

Yet another study confirming the protective effects of propolis, detoxifying kidneys from aluminum chloride. Other studies have shown its ability to detoxify the liver. This characteristic is also seen with consuming honey which aids in detoxifying the liver. Bee products are protective with no negative side effects and propolis is one of the most important products from honeybees.

Role of propolis (bee glue) in improving histopathological changes of the kidney of rat treated with aluminum chloride

Environ Toxicol. 2014 Sep;29(9):1000-10

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 (AlCl3 )-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 AlCl3 (34 mg/kg bw, 1/ 25 LD 50). The third were administered AlCl3 (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 AlCl3 ; 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 AlCl3 -induced renal toxicity and oxidative stress in rat kidneys.

Neurodegenerative Diseases Prevented by Bee Venom

Bee venom and its numerous components are revealing many uses in treating health conditions. Incorporating other bee products during such a treatment would generate additional benefits, namely "synergistic effects", whereby each product enhances the properties of the others, such as royal jelly & propolis.

Neuroprotective effects of melittin on hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptotic cell death in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2014, 14:286, Published: 5 August 2014

Background

Free radicals are involved in neuronal cell death in human neurodegenerative diseases. Since ancient times, honeybee venom has been used in a complementary medicine to treat various diseases and neurologic disorders. Melittin, the main component of honeybee venom, has various biologic effects, including anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Methods

We investigated the neuroprotective effects of melittin against H2O2-induced apoptosis in the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. The neuroprotective effects of melittin on H2O2-induced apoptosis were investigated using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylterazolium bromide assay, caspase 3 activity, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, a lactate dehydrogenase release assay, Western blots, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The H2O2-treated cells had decreased cell viability with apoptotic features and increased production of caspase-3. On the other hand, melittin treatment increased cell viability and decreased apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Melittin attenuated the H2O2-induced decrease in mRNA and protein production of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2. In addition, melittin inhibited both the H2O2-induced mRNA and protein expression of Bax-associated pro-apoptotic factor and caspase-3.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that melittin has potential therapeutic effects as an agent for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

Honey and Coffee Outperform Steroid Against Oral Mucositis

Honey protects the body from the good and bad of our nutritional food chain. This study reveals that honey, combined with coffee, does a better job than the topical steroid solution. 

"Coffee plus Honey" versus "topical steroid" in the treatment of Chemotherapy-induced Oral mucositis

BMC Complement Altern Med, 2014 Aug 8;14(1):293

BACKGROUND:

Oral mucositis is one of the common complications of cancer chemotherapy and about 40% of the patients who take chemotherapy protocols, experience this irritating problem. The purpose of this study was to draw comparison between the therapeutic effects of our treatment modalities (topical steroid, honey, honey plus coffee) in patients suffering from oral mucositis.

METHODS:

This was a double blinded randomised clinical trial of a total of 75 eligible adult participants which they randomly fell into three treatment groups. For all the participants a syrup-like solution was prepared. Each 600 grams of the product consisted of "20 eight-mg Betamethasone solution ampoules" in the Steroid (S) group, "300 grams of honey plus 20 grams of instant coffee" in the Honey plus Coffee (HC) group, and "300 grams of honey" for the Honey (H) group. The participants were told to sip 10 ml of the prescribed product, and then swallow it every three hours for one week. Severity of lesions was clinically evaluated before the treatment and also one week after the initiation of the intervention. This study adhered to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and guidelines of Good Clinical Practice.

RESULTS:

This study showed that all three treatment regimens reduce the severity of lesions. The best reduction in severity was achieved in HC group. H group and S group took the second and third places. In other words, honey plus coffee regimen was the most effective modality for the treatment of oral mucositis.

CONCLUSION:

Oral mucositis can be successfully treated by a combination of honey and coffee as an alternative medicine in a short time. Further investigations are warranted in this field.Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT: 201104074737N3, (9 May 2011).

Anti-Aging Compounds Verified in Royal Jelly

With other studies documenting the anti-aging properties of royal jelly and human trials showing its benefits for age-related conditions, this new study identifies the exact proteins in royal jelly that make it the right product for a long, healthy life.

Royal Jelly-Mediated Prolongevity and Stress Resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans Is Possibly Modulated by the Interplays of DAF-16, SIR-2.1, HCF-1, and 14-3-3 Proteins

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2014 July 29

Recent studies suggest that royal jelly (RJ) and its related substances may have antiaging properties. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects remain elusive. 

We report that the effects of RJ and enzyme-treated RJ (eRJ) on life span and health span in Caenorhabditis elegans (C elegans) are modulated by the sophisticated interplays of DAF-16, SIR-2.1, HCF-1, and 14-3-3 proteins. Dietary supplementation with RJ or eRJ increased C. elegans life span in a dose-dependent manner. The RJ and eRJ consumption increased the tolerance of C elegans to oxidative stress, ultraviolet irradiation, and heat shock stress. Our genetic analyses showed that RJ/eRJ-mediated life-span extension requires insulin/IGF-1 signaling and the activities of DAF-16, SIR-2.1, HCF-1, and FTT-2, a 14-3-3 protein. Earlier studies reported that DAF-16/FOXO, SIR-2.1/SIRT1, FTT-2, and HCF-1 have extensive interplays in worms and mammals. Our present findings suggest that RJ/eRJ-mediated promotion of longevity and stress resistance in C elegans is dependent on these conserved interplays. 

From an evolutionary point of view, this study not only provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of RJ's action on health span promotion in C elegans, but also has imperative implications in using RJ/eRJ as nutraceuticals to delay aging and age-related disorders.