ABSTRACT
Royal jelly (RJ) plays immunomodulatory role in humans. Further, role played by inflammasomes against hepatitis B virus (HBV) and involvement in its complications are well known. Here, we evaluated the effects of RJ on the relative expression of apoptosis associated with speck-like protein (ASC), node like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 1 (NLRP1), NLRP3, S100 calcium binding protein A4 (S100A4), and S100A9, as the immune system-related molecules in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. RJ was administrated for 1 month (@1 g/day), to the patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. The relative expressions of ASC, NLRP1, NLRP3, S100A4 and S100A9 were evaluated using Real-Time PCR. The results showed that RJ increased the expression of ASC, but decreased the expression of NLRP1 in the patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. Relative expressions of NLRP3, S100A4, and S100A9 were not altered following treatment with RJ. There were no significant differences between men and women regarding the relative expression of the molecules. The results suggest that RJ can modulate immune responses via downregulation of NLRP1. The roles played by ASC in other pathways suggest that the upregulation of ASC could be associated with its immunomodulatory potential.
ABSTRACT
Drug resistance, according to World Health Organization, is one of the most serious threats to public health. This makes antibiotics ineffective and reduces their therapeutic potential. One of the most prevalent multidrug-resistant bacteria is Staphylococcus aureus which is considered to be the most common pathogen and mortality factor in both hospital and non-hospital environments worldwide. Due to an unprecedented increase in reports of drug resistance in pathogens, and also due to adverse and severe side effects of drugs, there is an urgent need to redirect scientific efforts towards search for anti-oxidative natural substances and other alternative sources having therapeutic potential against microbes. Natural products such as propolis seem to exhibit most promising therapeutic potential against microorganisms. Thus, present study is focused on antioxidative potential of propolis in combination with standard antibiotics ampicillin and amoxicillin against S. aureus infected BALB/c mice. For this, mice were divided into seven groups, they were decapitated after suitable experimental periods, then their liver, kidney and spleen were excised from control and experimental groups, which were homogenized and then used for different biochemical estimations following the standard protocols. Results showed that S. aureus caused severe biochemical alterations by 5th day of infection that is, lipid peroxidation increased significantly (P <0.05), reduced glutathione level and activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GST) decreased significantly (P <0.05) in liver, kidney and spleen of S. aureus infected mice. Ethanolic extract of propolis at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight of mice when used alone to treat S. aureus infection gave significantly good results by 15th day of treatment. Better results were observed when propolis was used along with antibiotics. The levels of antioxidant molecules and enzymes along with liver and kidney function enzymes were restored to near normal after 15 days of treatment. So it can be concluded that propolis along with antibiotics acts as a potent free radical scavenger and can be used as a potential therapeutic agent against staphylococcal infection.
ABSTRACT
SUMMARY Propolis is a hive product made by bees from vegetable exudates that are mixed with their secretions. The value of this material is established in terms of the content of biologically active molecules, that analytically is represented by parameters such as ethanol-soluble compounds (resins), oxidation index, phenolic compounds and total content of flavonoids. On the contrary, if propolis has a high percentage of waxes, mechanic impurities or heavy metals, it is classified as a sub-standard beekeeping product. On this basis, this research work illustrates the use of quality control as a strategy to identify the possible application of two samples of Colombian propolis for developing innovative pharmaceutic and cosmetic formulations. The results evidence that the investigated samples are low-quality propolis because of their high waxes content. However, far from being a disadvantage, these waxes could generate added value when they are incorporated, for example, in products requiring lipid components as nano and microparticulate systems or nanofibrous composite scaffolds and films.
RESUMEN El propóleos es un producto de las colmenas elaborado a partir de la mezcla de exudados vegetales con las secreciones de las abejas. La calidad de este material es definida en términos del contenido de moléculas bioactivas, que analíticamente es reportado como compuestos solubles en etanol (resinas), índice de oxidación, compuestos fenólicos y contenido total de flavonoides. De otro lado, el propóleos es clasificado como un material subestándar si presenta un elevado contenido de ceras, impurezas mecánicas o metales pesados. Sobre esta base, la presente investigación reporta el control de calidad para dos muestras de propóleos colombiano y a partir de los resultados obtenidos, se proponen posibles aplicaciones en el desarrollo de productos farmacéuticos y cosméticos innovadores. Los resultados evidencian que las muestras investigadas son clasificadas como de baja calidad debido a su elevado contenido de ceras. Sin embargo, esta aparente desventaja puede generar valor agregado cuando el propóleos se emplea, por ejemplo, en la preparación de sistemas nano y microparticulados y nanofibras para películas y soportes tisulares.
ABSTRACT
The biological activity of honey has been the subject of great scientific investigation. Bee products are widely used in folk medicine to treat human diseases due to their antibacterial and inhibitory potential action on different human pathogens. Ten honey samples produced by Apis mellifera in the northern of Minas Gerais state were tested against pathogenic microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus TSST (clinical isolated) and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli ATCC 43895 for determination of their minimum inhibitory concentrations. The microdilution technique in broth Mueller-Hinton broth (MHB) was used in four concentrations (25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.125%). There was a reduction of bacterial growth for the two target species at all concentrations tested. The optimal concentration for inhibition of S. aureus and E. coli were 3.125% (w/v). Therefore, the antibacterial activity of the tested samples evidences the potential of Aroeira honey produced in the north of Minas Gerais for therapeutic use, thus contributing to the aggregation value and commercialization of this type of honey.
A atividade biológica do mel tem sido objeto de relevante investigação científica. Produtos apícolas são amplamente utilizados na medicina popular para tratar doenças humanas por causa de sua potencial ação antibacteriana e inibitória a diferentes patógenos humanos. Dez amostras de mel produzidas por Apis mellifera, no norte do Estado de Minas Gerais, foram testadas contra os micro-organismos patogênicos Staphylococcus aureus TSST (isolado clínico) e Escherichia coli enterohemorrágica ATCC 43895 para determinação de suas concentrações inibitórias mínimas. A técnica de microdiluição em caldo Mueller-Hinton (CMH) foi utilizada em quatro concentrações (25, 12,5, 6,25 e 3,125%). Houve uma redução do crescimento bacteriano para as duas espécies alvo em todas as concentrações testadas. A concentração ótima para a inibição de S. aureus e E. coli foi de 3,125% (p/v). Portanto, a atividade antibacteriana das amostras testadas evidencia o potencial do mel de Aroeira produzido no norte de Minas Gerais para uso terapêutico, contribuindo para a agregação de valor e comercialização deste tipo de mel.
Subject(s)
Anacardiaceae/microbiology , Escherichia coli/pathogenicity , Honey/analysis , Honey/microbiology , Apis mellificaABSTRACT
Abstract Pollen is used in the human diet as a food supplement because of its high nutritional value; however, this product is prone to fungal contamination that could potentially generate toxins that are harmful to human health. This study aimed to verify the floral diversity of commercial brands of bee pollen and their mycotoxicological safety for human consumption. A total of 27 bee pollen samples were analyzed; these samples represented commercial brands, either showing an inspection seal or not, marketed in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The analyzed parameters included floral diversity through palynological analysis, water activity, fungal counts, identification and toxigenic profiles. The palynological analysis identified nine plant families, of which the Asteraceae was predominant. Analysis of hygienic quality based on fungal load showed that 92% of samples were reproved according to the commercial, sanitary, and food safety quality indicators. Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium were the most common genera. Toxigenic evaluation showed that 25% of the A. flavus strains produced aflatoxins. The high rate of contamination of products bearing an inspection seal emphasizes the need to monitor the entire procedure of bee pollen production, as well as to revise the current legislation to ensure safe commercialization of this product.
Subject(s)
Humans , Fungi/isolation & purification , Fungi/metabolism , Genotype , Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points , Mycotoxins/metabolism , Pollen/classification , Pollen/microbiology , Brazil , Colony Count, Microbial , Food Contamination , Food Microbiology , Fungi/classificationABSTRACT
Bee products have long been used in traditional medicine. The raw materials, crude extracts and purified active compounds from them have been found to exhibit interesting bioactivities, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In addition, they have been widely used in the treatment of many immune-related diseases, as well as in recent times in the treatment of tumors. Bee product peptides induce apoptotic cell death in vitro in several transformed (cancer) human cell lines, including those derived from renal, lung, liver, prostate, bladder and lymphoid cancers. These bioactive natural products may, therefore, prove to be useful as part of a novel targeted therapy for some types of cancer, such as prostate and breast cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the in vivo and in vitro potential of selective bee products against tumor cells.
ABSTRACT
Bee products have long been used in traditional medicine. The raw materials, crude extracts and purified active compounds from them have been found to exhibit interesting bioactivities, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In addition, they have been widely used in the treatment of many immune-related diseases, as well as in recent times in the treatment of tumors. Bee product peptides induce apoptotic cell death in vitro in several transformed (cancer) human cell lines, including those derived from renal, lung, liver, prostate, bladder and lymphoid cancers. These bioactive natural products may, therefore, prove to be useful as part of a novel targeted therapy for some types of cancer, such as prostate and breast cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the in vivo and in vitro potential of selective bee products against tumor cells.
ABSTRACT
Bee products have long been used in traditional medicine. The raw materials, crude extracts and purified active compounds from them have been found to exhibit interesting bioactivities, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In addition, they have been widely used in the treatment of many immune-related diseases, as well as in recent times in the treatment of tumors. Bee product peptides induce apoptotic cell death in vitro in several transformed (cancer) human cell lines, including those derived from renal, lung, liver, prostate, bladder and lymphoid cancers. These bioactive natural products may, therefore, prove to be useful as part of a novel targeted therapy for some types of cancer, such as prostate and breast cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the in vivo and in vitro potential of selective bee products against tumor cells.
ABSTRACT
Many biological properties have been attributed to various types of propolis, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, wound healing, and immunomodulatory activities. This article reviewed studies published that investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of propolis of different origins and/or its isolated components, focusing on the mechanisms of action underlying this activity and also addressing some aspects of immunomodulatory effects. The search was performed of the following databases: PubMed, Science Direct, HighWire Press, Scielo, Google Academics, Research Gate and ISI Web of Knowledgement. The anti-inflammatory activity was associated with propolis or compounds such as polyphenols (flavonoids, phenolic acids and their esters), terpenoids, steroids and amino acids. CAPE is the most studied compounds. The main mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of propolis included the inhibition of cyclooxygenase and consequent inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis, free radical scavenging, inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis, reduction in the concentration of inflammatory cytokines and immunosuppressive activity. Propolis was found to exert an anti-inflammatory activity in vivo and in vitro models of acute and chronic inflammation and others studies, indicating its promising potential as anti-inflammatory agent of natural origin and as a source of chemical compounds for the development of new drugs.