The stingless bee honey protects against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage and lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in vitro

Unveiling Stingless Bee Honey Anti-inflammatory Potential Through the Polarization of LPS-induced J774 Macrophages

Macrophages play an important role during the inflammatory process. These cells can adopt either the pro- or anti-inflammatory phenotypes. While stingless bee honeys have demonstrated evidence of anti-inflammatory potential, their capacity to induce a shift from a pro-inflammatory state to an inflammation-resolution state has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of two stingless bees (Scaptotrigona bicunctata-honey A and Melipona quadriasciata-honey G) honeys in J774 macrophages induced by LPS was evaluated. Both honeys exhibited non-cytotoxic effects and reduced nitrite and IL-4 levels. However, only honey G increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-13, by 163.1 ± 14.8% (p < 0.05) and was further investigated for its immunomodulatory effect. This honey reduced the expression of TLR4 by 59.3 ± 3.5% (p < 0.001) and increased the mannose receptor levels by 67.3 ± 2.4% (p < 0.001). Moreover, it increased the phagocytic activity by 25.0 ± 7.7% (p < 0.01) and decreased the death of the macrophages by 32.1 ± 1.7% (p < 0.001). Collectively, these findings highlight stingless bee honey from Melipona quadriasciata bee has an important immunomodulatory effect, as it reduces the markers of the pro-inflammatory state of J774 cells and increases the markers of resolution or anti-inflammatory responses.

Comparative analysis of the physicochemical, proximate, and antioxidant characteristics of stingless bee (Meliponula beccarii) honey from modern and wild beehives in Ethiopia

There is a dearth of information on the comparative studies of the physicochemical, proximate, and antioxidant properties as well as quality standards of stingless bee honey (SBH) in Ethiopia. Hence, this study was designed to assess and compare the physicochemical, proximate, and antioxidant properties of SBH, specifically sourced from Meliponula beccarii, and produced under both wild and modern apiary conditions at two distinct geographical locations. A total of forty-six honey samples were meticulously collected from domesticated stingless bee colonies and naturally occurring wild nests at Wolmera and Cheliya districts. Pollen analysis unveiled eleven distinct bee plant species distributed across six families, with Asteraceae being the most prevalent, primarily represented by Guizotia scabra and Vernonia amygdalina. Notably, the physicochemical, proximate, and antioxidant properties of SBH collected from modern pot hives exhibited significant variances (p < .05) when compared to SBH from wild nests. Principal component analysis (PCA) delineated the differentiation of SBH sources based on both geographical location and the type of beehive. One-way ANOVA corroborated these distinctions, underscoring significantly higher levels (p < .05) of ash, electrical conductivity, free acidity, hydroxymethylfurfural, sucrose, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and radical scavenging activities of SBH from modern pot hives in Wolmera. Whereas, Cheliya modern pot hives recorded higher values in pH, hydroxymethylfurfural and maltose contents compared to the wild nest SBH. Further analysis through Pearson correlation highlighted a strong positive association between total phenolic content and total flavonoid content with the antioxidant capacity of SBH. These findings underscore the significance of integrating modern pot hives to enhance the quality of SBH within Ethiopia's beekeeping sector.

The anti-allergic potential of stingless bee honey from different botanical sources via modulation of mast cell degranulation

BACKGROUND

Allergy is an inflammatory disorder affecting around 20% of the global population. The adverse effects of current conventional treatments give rise to the increased popularity of using natural food products as complementary and alternative medicine against allergic diseases. Stingless bee honey, commonly known as Kelulut honey (KH) in Malaysia, has been used locally as a traditional remedy to relieve cough and asthma. This study evaluated the anti-allergic potential of KH collected from four different botanical sources on phorbol ester 12-myristate-3-acetate and calcium ionophore-activated human mast cells.

METHODS

The present study examined the inhibitory effects of all collected honey on the release of selected inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-8, histamine, and β-hexosaminidase in an activated HMC. Besides that, all honey's total phenolic content (TPC) was also examined, followed by using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify the phytochemicals in the honey. Further examination of the identified phytochemicals on their potential interaction with selected signaling molecules in an activated mast cell was conducted using computational methods.

RESULTS

The results indicated that there were significant inhibitory effects on all selected inflammatory mediators' release by KH sourced from bamboo (BH) and rubber tree (RH) at 0.5% and 1%, but not KH sourced from mango (AH) and noni (EH). BH and RH were found to have higher TPC values and were rich in their phytochemical profiles based on the LC-MS/MS results. Computational studies were employed to determine the possible molecular target of KH through molecular docking using HADDOCK and PRODIGY web servers.

CONCLUSIONS

In short, the results indicated that KH possesses anti-allergic effects towards an activated HMC, possibly by targeting downstream MAPKs. However, their anti-allergic effects may vary according to their botanical sources. Nevertheless, the present study has provided insight into the potential application of stingless bee honey as a complementary and alternative medicine to treat various allergic diseases.

The potential neuroprotective effects of stingless bee honey

Tropical Meliponini bees produce stingless bee honey (SBH). Studies have shown beneficial properties, including antibacterial, bacteriostatic, anti-inflammatory, neurotherapeutic, neuroprotective, wound, and sunburn healing capabilities. High phenolic acid and flavonoid concentrations offer SBH its benefits. SBH can include flavonoids, phenolic acids, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, organic acids, amino acids, and protein, depending on its botanical and geographic origins. Ursolic acid, p-coumaric acid, and gallic acid may diminish apoptotic signals in neuronal cells, such as nuclear morphological alterations and DNA fragmentation. Antioxidant activity minimizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and lowers oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammation by decreasing enzymes generated during inflammation. Flavonoids in honey reduce neuroinflammation by decreasing proinflammatory cytokine and free radical production. Phytochemical components in honey, such as luteolin and phenylalanine, may aid neurological problems. A dietary amino acid, phenylalanine, may improve memory by functioning on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathways. Neurotrophin BDNF binds to its major receptor, TrkB, and stimulates downstream signaling cascades, which are crucial for neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Through BDNF, SBH can stimulate synaptic plasticity and synaptogenesis, promoting learning and memory. Moreover, BDNF contributes to the adult brain's lasting structural and functional changes during limbic epileptogenesis by acting through the cognate receptor tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB). Given the higher antioxidants activity of SBH than the Apis sp. honey, it may be more therapeutically helpful. There is minimal research on SBH's neuroprotective effects, and the related pathways contribute to it is unclear. More research is needed to elucidate the underlying molecular process of SBH on BDNF/TrkB pathways in producing neuroprotective effects.

Protective Effect of Thyme and Chestnut Honeys Enriched with Bee Products against Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced DNA Damage

The aim of the present study was to validate the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and preventive potential against benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-induced DNA damage of nine samples of thyme and chestnut honeys enriched with bee products (royal jelly and propolis, 2-10%). Cell viability was determined by the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay (0-250 mg/mL) to select nontoxic concentrations, and DNA damage (0.1-10 μg/mL) was evaluated by the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis or comet assay. Treatment with honey samples or royal jelly and propolis did not affect the viability of HepG2 cells up to 100 and 50 mg/mL, respectively. Treatment with 100 μM BaP significantly increased (p ≤ 0.001) the levels of the DNA strand breaks. None of the tested concentrations (0.1-10 μg/mL) of the honey samples (thyme and chestnut), royal jelly, and propolis caused DNA damage per se. All tested samples at all the concentrations used decreased the genotoxic effect of BaP. In addition, all mixtures of thyme or chestnut honeys with royal jelly or propolis showed a greater protective effect against BaP than the samples alone, being the thyme and chestnut honey samples enriched with 10% royal jelly and 10% propolis the most effective (70.4% and 69.4%, respectively). The observed protective effect may be associated with the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the studied samples. In conclusion, the thyme and chestnut honey samples enriched with bee products present potential as natural chemoprotective agents against the chemical carcinogen BaP.

STINGLESS BEE HONEY (Tetragonula laeviceps): CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND THEIR POTENTIAL ROLES AS AN IMMUNOMODULATOR IN MALNOURISHED RATS

Honey is rich in bioactive compounds, phenolic acids, and flavonoids and is an antioxidant and an immunomodulator. The objectives of this study were to determine the honey chemical composition of Indonesian stingless bees and their potential roles as an immunomodulator in the malnourished rats. Tetragonula laeviceps honey was used to analyses of chemical composition was obtained from three different geographical origins were Depok Sleman, Bayan Lombok, and Nglipar Gunungkidul. Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups of 8 rats and placed in individual cages. The experimental designed was as follows: T1 = normal rats + without honey (0–7 weeks), T2 = normal rats + with honey of 1.8 g/kg BW/day (0–7 weeks), T3 = malnourished honey of 1.8 g/kg BW/day started from 2 weeks after the malnourished condition (2–7 weeks). The results showed that the chemical composition of Tetragonula laeviceps honey from three different geographical origins were vitamin C content (6.49–13.58 mg/100 g), total phenolic content (0.65–2.30% GAE/100 g), total flavonoid content (0.28–1.00 mg QE/g), and antioxidant activity DPPH (61.43–90.28%). The application of fresh honey from stingless bee that was offered to either normal or malnourished rats were increased lymphocytes proliferation and decreased the production of both proinflammatory markers, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) from tissue culture supernatant of lymphocytes (p < 0.01). Data from this study clearly indicates the potential role of honey from stingless bee as an immunomodulator in malnourished rats.

A Review on Recent Progress of Stingless Bee Honey and Its Hydrogel-Based Compound for Wound Care Management

Stingless bee honey has a distinctive flavor and sour taste compared to Apis mellifera honey. Currently, interest in farming stingless bees is growing among rural residents to meet the high demand for raw honey and honey-based products. Several studies on stingless bee honey have revealed various therapeutic properties for wound healing applications. These include antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties related to wound healing. The development of stingless bee honey for wound healing applications, such as incorporation into hydrogels, has attracted researchers worldwide. As a result, the effectiveness of stingless bee honey against wound infections can be improved in the future to optimize healing rates. This paper reviewed the physicochemical and therapeutic properties of stingless bee honey and its efficacy in treating wound infection, as well as the incorporation of stingless bee honey into hydrogels for optimized wound dressing.