Therapeutic and preventive properties of honey and its bioactive compounds in cancer: an evidence-based review

Manuka honey as a non-antibiotic alternative against Staphylococcus spp. and their small colony variant (SCVs) phenotypes

The antibiotic resistance (ABR) crisis is an urgent global health priority. Staphylococci are among the problematic bacteria contributing to this emergency owing to their recalcitrance to many clinically important antibiotics. Staphylococcal pathogenesis is further complicated by the presence of small colony variants (SCVs), a bacterial subpopulation displaying atypical characteristics including retarded growth, prolific biofilm formation, heightened antibiotic tolerance, and enhanced intracellular persistence. These capabilities severely impede current chemotherapeutics, resulting in chronic infections, poor patient outcomes, and significant economic burden. Tackling ABR requires alternative measures beyond the conventional options that have dominated treatment regimens over the past 8 decades. Non-antibiotic therapies are gaining interest in this arena, including the use of honey, which despite having ancient therapeutic roots has now been reimagined as an alternative treatment beyond just traditional topical use, to include the treatment of an array of difficult-to-treat staphylococcal infections. This literature review focused on Manuka honey (MH) and its efficacy as an anti-staphylococcal treatment. We summarized the studies that have used this product and the technologies employed to study the antibacterial mechanisms that render MH a suitable agent for the management of problematic staphylococcal infections, including those involving staphylococcal SCVs. We also discussed the status of staphylococcal resistance development to MH and other factors that may impact its efficacy as an alternative therapy to help combat ABR.

Effect of low dose honey on the apoptosis and inflammation gene expression in corneal limbal stem cells and keratocytes and its efficacy as an ophthalmic formulation in the treatment of dry eye: in-vitro and clinical study

Background

The use of honey as an eye treatment encounters challenges due to its high osmolarity, low pH, and difficulties in sterilization. This study addresses these issues by employing a low concentration of honey, focusing on both in-vitro experiments and clinical trials for treating dry eye disease in corneal cells.

Methods

In the in-vitro experiment, we investigated the impact of a 1% honey-supplemented medium (HSM) on limbal stem cells (LSCs) and keratocytes using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for BCL-2, BAX, and IL-1β gene expression. Simultaneously, in the clinical trial, 80 participants were divided into two groups, receiving either a 1% w/v honey ophthalmic formulation or a placebo for 3 months. Study outcomes included subjective improvement in dry eye symptoms, tear break-up time (TBUT), and Schirmer's test results.

Results

MTT results indicated that 1% HSM did not compromise the survival of corneal cells and significantly reduced the expression of the IL-1β gene. Additionally, participants in the honey group demonstrated a higher rate of improvement in dry eye symptoms and a significant enhancement in TBUT values at the three-month follow-up. However, there was no significant difference between the study groups in terms of Schirmer's test values. No adverse events were observed or reported.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 1% honey exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties, proving effective in ameliorating dry eye symptoms and enhancing tear film stability in patients with dry eye disease.Clinical Trial Registration: https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/63800.

Hive Products: Composition, Pharmacological Properties, and Therapeutic Applications

Beekeeping provides products with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical characteristics. These products are characterized by abundance of bioactive compounds. For different reasons, honey, royal jelly, propolis, venom, and pollen are beneficial to humans and animals and could be used as therapeutics. The pharmacological action of these products is related to many of their constituents. The main bioactive components of honey include oligosaccharides, methylglyoxal, royal jelly proteins (MRJPs), and phenolics compounds. Royal jelly contains jelleins, royalisin peptides, MRJPs, and derivatives of hydroxy-decenoic acid, particularly 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), which possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuromodulatory, metabolic syndrome-preventing, and anti-aging properties. Propolis has a plethora of activities that are referable to compounds such as caffeic acid phenethyl ester. Peptides found in bee venom include phospholipase A2, apamin, and melittin. In addition to being vitamin-rich, bee pollen also includes unsaturated fatty acids, sterols, and phenolics compounds that express antiatherosclerotic, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the constituents of hive products are particular and different. All of these constituents have been investigated for their properties in numerous research studies. This review aims to provide a thorough screening of the bioactive chemicals found in honeybee products and their beneficial biological effects. The manuscript may provide impetus to the branch of unconventional medicine that goes by the name of apitherapy.

An updated review of functional ingredients of Manuka honey and their value-added innovations

Manuka honey (MH) is a highly prized natural product from the nectar of Leptospermum scoparium flowers. Increased competition on the global market drives MH product innovations. This review updates comparative and non-comparative studies to highlight nutritional, therapeutic, bioengineering, and cosmetic values of MH. MH is a good source of phenolics and unique chemical compounds, such as methylglyoxal, dihydroxyacetone, leptosperin glyoxal, methylsyringate and leptosin. Based on the evidence from in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies, multifunctional bioactive compounds of MH have exhibited anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer activities. There are controversial topics related to MH, such as MH grading, safety/efficacy, implied benefits, and maximum levels of contaminants concerned. Artificial intelligence can optimize MH studies related to chemical analysis, toxicity prediction, multi-functional mechanism exploration and product innovation.

Oral administration of Manuka honey induces IFNγ-dependent resistance to tumor growth that correlates with beneficial modulation of gut microbiota composition

Background

To investigate the potential of Manuka honey (MH) as an immunomodulatory agent in colorectal cancer (CRC) and dissect the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms.

Methods

MH was administered orally over a 4 week-period. The effect of MH treatment on microbiota composition was studied using 16S rRNA sequencing of fecal pellets collected before and after treatment. Pretreated mice were implanted with CRC cells and followed for tumor growth. Tumors and lymphoid organs were analyzed by flow cytometry (FACS), immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. Efficacy of MH was also assessed in a therapeutic setting, with oral treatment initiated after tumor implantation. We utilized IFNγ-deficient mice to determine the importance of interferon signaling in MH-induced immunomodulation.

Results

Pretreatment with MH enhanced anti-tumor responses leading to suppression of tumor growth. Evidence for enhanced tumor immunogenicity included upregulated MHC class-II on intratumoral macrophages, enhanced MHC class-I expression on tumor cells and increased infiltration of effector T cells into the tumor microenvironment. Importantly, oral MH was also effective in retarding tumor growth when given therapeutically. Transcriptomic analysis of tumor tissue highlighted changes in the expression of various chemokines and inflammatory cytokines that drive the observed changes in tumor immunogenicity. The immunomodulatory capacity of MH was abrogated in IFNγ-deficient mice. Finally, bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing demonstrated that oral MH treatment induced unique changes in gut microbiota that may well underlie the IFN-dependent enhancement in tumor immunogenicity.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the immunostimulatory properties of MH and demonstrate its potential utilization in cancer prevention and treatment.

Polyherbal Combinations Used by Traditional Health Practitioners against Mental Illnesses in Bamako, Mali, West Africa

This study explores the traditional knowledge of plants used by traditional health practitioners (THPs) in the treatment of symptoms or syndromes related to mental illnesses in the district of Bamako in Mali, along with the identification of affiliated traditional treating methods. An exploratory and cross-sectional ethnopharmacological survey was conducted in the district of Bamako. The Malian Federation of Associations of Therapists and Herbalists (FEMATH) assisted in the identification and inclusion of the THPs. Data sampling included semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were evaluated by analysing reports of the use of different medicinal plants and the number of participants. Fifteen THPs belonging to the district of Bamako participated. In total, 43 medicinal plants belonging to 22 plant families were used by the THPs. The most cited plant species was Securidaca longepedunculata (violet tree), followed by Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany) and Boscia integrifolia (rough-leaved shepherds tree). A great number of herbal combinations, preparation methods, and administration routes were used, often with honey as an adjuvant. To our knowledge, this is the first ethnobotanical survey on the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of all types of mental disorders in Bamako.

Elemental Fingerprinting Combined with Machine Learning Techniques as a Powerful Tool for Geographical Discrimination of Honeys from Nearby Regions

Discrimination of honey based on geographical origin is a common fraudulent practice and is one of the most investigated topics in honey authentication. This research aims to discriminate honeys according to their geographical origin by combining elemental fingerprinting with machine-learning techniques. In particular, the main objective of this study is to distinguish the origin of unifloral and multifloral honeys produced in neighboring regions, such as Sardinia (Italy) and Spain. The elemental compositions of 247 honeys were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The origins of honey were differentiated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and Random Forest (RF). Compared to LDA, RF demonstrated greater stability and better classification performance. The best classification was based on geographical origin, achieving 90% accuracy using Na, Mg, Mn, Sr, Zn, Ce, Nd, Eu, and Tb as predictors.

Chemical Properties and Biological Activity of Bee Pollen

Pollen, a remarkably versatile natural compound collected by bees for its abundant source of proteins and nutrients, represents a rich reservoir of diverse bioactive compounds with noteworthy chemical and therapeutic potential. Its extensive biological effects have been known and exploited since ancient times. Today, there is an increased interest in finding natural compounds against oxidative stress, a factor that contributes to various diseases. Recent research has unraveled a multitude of biological activities associated with bee pollen, ranging from antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties to potential antiviral and anticancer applications. Comprehending the extensive repertoire of biological properties across various pollen sources remains challenging. By investigating a spectrum of pollen types and their chemical composition, this review produces an updated analysis of the bioactive constituents and the therapeutic prospects they offer. This review emphasizes the necessity for further exploration and standardization of diverse pollen sources and bioactive compounds that could contribute to the development of innovative therapies.

Molecular bases for the use of functional foods in the management of healthy aging: Berries, curcumin, virgin olive oil and honey; three realities and a promise

As the number of older people has grown in recent decades, the search for new approaches to manage or delay aging is also growing. Among the modifiable factors, diet plays a crucial role in healthy aging and in the prevention of age-related diseases. Thus, the interest in the use of foods, which are rich in bioactive compounds such as functional foods with anti-aging effects is a growing market. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of action of foods considered as functional foods in aging, namely berries, curcumin, and virgin olive oil. Moreover, honey is also analyzed as a food with well-known healthy benefits, but which has not been deeply evaluated from the point of view of aging. The effects of these foods on aging are analyzed from the point of view of molecular mechanisms including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, genomic stability, telomere attrition, cellular senescence, and deregulated nutrient-sensing. A comprehensive study of the scientific literature shows that the aforementioned foods have demonstrated positive effects on certain aspects of aging, which might justify their use as functional foods in elderly. However, more research is needed, especially in humans, designed to understand in depth the mechanisms of action through which they act.

Composition, functional properties and safety of honey: a review

Honey has been used not only as a food source but also for medicinal purposes. Recent studies have indicated that honey exhibits antioxidant, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic and anti-obesity properties, as well as anticancer, anti-atherosclerotic, hypotensive, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory activities. These health benefits of honey could be attributed to its wide range of nutritional components, including polysaccharides and polyphenols, which have been proven to possess various beneficial properties. It is notable that the composition of honey can also be affected by nectar, season, geography and storage condition. Moreover, the safety of honey requires caution to avoid any potential safety incidents. Therefore, this review aims to provide recent research regarding the chemical composition, biological activities and safety of honey, which might be attributed to comprehensive utilization of honey. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Exploring the Potential of Bee-Derived Antioxidants for Maintaining Oral Hygiene and Dental Health: A Comprehensive Review

Honey bee products comprise various compounds, including honey, propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, bee wax and bee venom, which have long been recognized for their pharmacological and health-promoting benefits. Scientists have discovered that periodontal disorders stem from dental biofilm, an inflammatory response to bacterial overgrowth produced by dysbiosis in the oral microbiome. The bee products have been investigated for their role in prevention of oral diseases, which are attributed to a myriad of biologically active compounds including flavonoids (pinocembrin, catechin, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and galangin), phenolic acids (hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, p-coumaric, ellagic, caffeic and ferulic acids) and terpenoids. This review aims to update the current understanding of role of selected bee products, namely, honey, propolis and royal jelly, in preventing oral diseases as well as their potential biological activities and mechanism of action in relation to oral health have been discussed. Furthermore, the safety of incorporation of bee products is also critically discussed. To summarize, bee products could potentially serve as a therapy option for people suffering from a variety of oral disorders.

Use of the Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis Assay for the Detection of DNA-protective Dietary Factors: Results of Human Intervention Studies

The single cell gel electrophoresis technique is based on the measurement of DNA migration in an electric field and enables to investigate via determination of DNA-damage the impact of foods and their constituents on the genetic stability. DNA-damage leads to adverse effects including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and infertility. In the last 25 years approximately 90 human intervention trials have been published in which DNA-damage, formation of oxidized bases, alterations of the sensitivity towards reactive oxygen species and chemicals and of repair functions were investigated with this technique. In approximately 50% of the studies protective effects were observed. Pronounced protection was found with certain plant foods (spinach, kiwi fruits, onions), coffee, green tea, honey and olive oil. Also diets with increased contents of vegetables caused positive effects. Small amounts of certain phenolics (gallic acid, xanthohumol) prevented oxidative damage of DNA; with antioxidant vitamins and cholecalciferol protective effects were only detected after intake of doses that exceed the recommended daily uptake values. The evaluation of the quality of the studies showed that many have methodological shortcomings (lack of controls, no calibration of repair enzymes, inadequate control of the compliance and statistical analyses) which should be avoided in future investigations.

Bee Products and Colorectal Cancer—Active Components and Mechanism of Action

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the world. Lifestyle and eating patterns may have a significant impact on the prevention of this type of cancer. Bioactive food ingredients influence the gut microbiome and can have a protective effect. Bee products (honey, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom) or pharmacologically active fractions obtained from them are widely used in many fields of medicine, pharmacy, and cosmetics. Some evidence suggests that bee products may have anti-cancer potential. The main bioactive components with anti-colon cancer potential from propolis and bee honey are polyphenols such as pinocembrin, galangin, luteolin, CAPE, Artepilin C, chrysin, caffeic, and p-coumaric acids. This review is focused on the new data on epidemiology, risk factors for colon cancer, and current reports on the potential role of bee products in the chemoprevention of this type of cancer.

Evaluation of physicochemical properties of honey powder using rice and pea proteins as carriers

Honey is a special product widely appreciated because of its peculiar flavor and aroma as well as its beneficial effects on health due to its constituents. However, the use of honey in its natural form can present several disadvantages to the food industry because of its high viscosity and density. This work aimed to obtain honey powder using rice, pea, or a mixture of both proteins as carriers by spray drying and to characterize physiochemically. Also, the mass balance was performed to evaluate changes in humidity and temperature that occurred by the drying air during the process. The honey showed acceptable physicochemical parameters by the legislation of honey quality control in regard to color (143.43 ± 4.34) mm Pfund, free acidity (46.41 ± 0.53) meq/kg, pH (3.73 ± 0.03), fructose content (46.52 ± 0.56) g/100 g and glucose content (35.88 ± 0.16) g/100 g, which leads to the production of honey powder. Among the carriers tested, the honey powder using rice protein achieved the highest powder recovery yield at (64.88 ± 0.64) %. The physicochemical properties were evaluated and the phenolic compounds were not negatively affected by spray drying conditions, maintaining a value of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) content at (301.31 ± 20.95) mg/kg of honey. Therefore, this work shows honey as an alternative food ingredient in powdered form, including the growing market for using alternative protein.

Honey: A Promising Therapeutic Supplement for the Prevention and Management of Osteoporosis and Breast Cancer

Osteoporosis and breast cancer are serious diseases that have become a significant socioeconomic burden. There are biochemical associations between the two disorders in terms of the amended function of estrogen, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta ligand, oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid accumulation. Honey as a functional food with high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can contribute to the prevention of various diseases. Its health benefits are mainly related to the content of polyphenols. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge from in vitro, animal, and human studies on the use of honey as a potential therapeutic agent for osteoporosis and breast cancer. Preclinical studies have revealed a beneficial impact of honey on both bone health (microstructure, strength, oxidative stress) and breast tissue health (breast cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis, tumor growth rate, and volume). The limited number of clinical trials, especially in osteoporosis, indicates the need for further research to evaluate the potential benefits of honey in the treatment. Clinical studies related to breast cancer have revealed that honey is effective in increasing blood cell counts, interleukin-3 levels, and quality of life. In summary, honey may serve as a prospective therapeutic supplement for bone and breast tissue health.

Pesticide Residues and Metabolites in Greek Honey and Pollen: Bees and Human Health Risk Assessment

BACKGROUND

Bees encounter a plethora of environmental contaminants during nectar and pollen collection from plants. Consequently, after their entrance into the beehives, the transfer of numerous pollutants to apicultural products is inevitable.

METHODS

In this context, during the period of 2015-2020, 109 samples of honey, pollen, and beebread were sampled and analyzed for the determination of pesticides and their metabolites. More than 130 analytes were investigated in each sample by applying two validated multiresidue methods (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS).

RESULTS

Until the end of 2020, 40 determinations were reported in honey, resulting in a 26% positive to at least one active substance. The concentrations of pesticides ranged from 1.3 ng/g to 785 ng/g honey. For seven active substances in honey and pollen, maximum residue limits (MRLs) exceedances were observed. Coumaphos, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, amitraz metabolites (DMF and DMPF), and tau-fluvalinate were the predominant compounds detected in honey, while several pyrethroids such as λ-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, and cyfluthrin were also found. Pollen and beebread, as expected, accumulated a higher number of active substances and metabolites (32 in total), exhibiting almost double the number of detections.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the above findings verify the occurrence of numerous pesticide and metabolite residues in both honey and pollen, the human risk assessment in the majority of the cases does not raise any concerns, and the same applies to bee risk assessment.

Honey polyphenols: regulators of human microbiota and health

A comprehensive review of research over the last decade was conducted to carry out this work. The main objective of this work is to present relevant evidence of the effect of honey intake on the human intestinal microbiota and its relationship with the improvement of various chronic diseases, such as cirrhosis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and obesity, among others. Therefore, this work focuses on the health-improving honey dietary supplementation implications associated with specific changes in the human microbiota and their biochemical mechanisms to enhance the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms and the inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms. Consumption of honey polyphenols significantly improves people's health conditions, especially in patients with chronic disease. Hence, honey intake unequivocally constitutes an alternative way to enhance health and could be used to prevent some relevant chronic diseases.

Synergic Effect of Honey with Other Natural Agents in Developing Efficient Wound Dressings

Honey has been used for therapeutic and nutritional purposes since ancient times. It was considered one of the essential medical assets in wound healing. According to research, honeybees have significant antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and wound-healing properties. Lately, scientific researchers have focused on apitherapy, using bee products to protect and strengthen the immune system. Since honey is the most important natural product rich in minerals, proteins, and vitamins, it has been intensively used in such therapies. Honey has gained significant consideration because of the beneficial role of its antioxidant compounds, such as enzymes, proteins, amino and organic acids, polyphenols, and carotenoids, but mainly due to flavonoids and phenolic acids. It has been proven that phenolic compounds are responsible for honey's biological activity and that its physicochemical properties, antioxidants, and antimicrobial potential are significant for human health. The review also presents some mechanisms of action and the medical applications of honey, such as wound healing dressings, skin grafts, honey-based nanofibers, and cochlear implants, as the most promising wound healing tools. This extensive review has been written to highlight honey's applications in medicine; its composition with the most important bioactive compounds also illustrates its synergistic effect with other natural products having remarkable therapeutic properties in wound healing.

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.

General Nutritional Profile of Bee Products and Their Potential Antiviral Properties against Mammalian Viruses

Bee products have been extensively employed in traditional therapeutic practices to treat several diseases and microbial infections. Numerous bioactive components of bee products have exhibited several antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, antiprotozoal, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory properties. Apitherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses the bioactive properties of bee products to prevent and/or treat different diseases. This review aims to provide an elaborated vision of the antiviral activities of bee products with recent advances in research. Since ancient times, bee products have been well known for their several medicinal properties. The antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of bee products and their bioactive components are emerging as a promising alternative therapy against several viral infections. Numerous studies have been performed, but many clinical trials should be conducted to evaluate the potential of apitherapy against pathogenic viruses. In that direction, here, we review and highlight the potential roles of bee products as apitherapeutics in combating numerous viral infections. Available studies validate the effectiveness of bee products in virus inhibition. With such significant antiviral potential, bee products and their bioactive components/extracts can be effectively employed as an alternative strategy to improve human health from individual to communal levels as well.

Thorough Investigation of the Phenolic Profile of Reputable Greek Honey Varieties: Varietal Discrimination and Floral Markers Identification Using Liquid Chromatography–High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Honey is a highly consumed commodity due to its potential health benefits upon certain consumption, resulting in a high market price. This fact indicates the need to protect honey from fraudulent acts by delivering comprehensive analytical methodologies. In this study, targeted, suspect and non-targeted metabolomic workflows were applied to identify botanical origin markers of Greek honey. Blossom honey samples (n = 62) and the unifloral fir (n = 10), oak (n = 24), pine (n = 39) and thyme (n = 34) honeys were analyzed using an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-q-TOF-MS) system. Several potential authenticity markers were revealed from the application of different metabolomic workflows. In detail, based on quantitative targeted analysis, three blossom honey markers were found, namely, galangin, pinocembrin and chrysin, while gallic acid concentration was found to be significantly higher in oak honey. Using suspect screening workflow, 12 additional bioactive compounds were identified and semi-quantified, achieving comprehensive metabolomic honey characterization. Lastly, by combining non-targeted screening with advanced chemometrics, it was possible to discriminate thyme from blossom honey and develop binary discriminatory models with high predictive power. In conclusion, a holistic approach to assessing the botanical origin of Greek honey is presented, highlighting the complementarity of the three applied metabolomic approaches.

Therapeutic Benefits and Dietary Restrictions of Fiber Intake: A State of the Art Review

Throughout history, malnutrition and deficiency diseases have been a problem for our planet’s population. A balanced diet significantly influences everyone’s health, and fiber intake appears to play a more important role than previously thought. The natural dietary fibers are a category of carbohydrates in the constitution of plants that are not completely digested in the human intestine. High-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, have consistently been highly beneficial to health and effectively reduced the risk of disease. Although the mode of action of dietary fiber in the consumer body is not fully understood, nutritionists and health professionals unanimously recognize the therapeutic benefits. This paper presents the fiber consumption in different countries, the metabolism of fiber and the range of health benefits associated with fiber intake. In addition, the influence of fiber intake on the intestinal microbiome, metabolic diseases (obesity and diabetes), neurological aspects, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancer prevention are discussed. Finally, dietary restrictions and excess fiber are addressed, which can cause episodes of diarrhea and dehydration and increase the likelihood of bloating and flatulence or even bowel obstruction. However, extensive studies are needed regarding the composition and required amount of fiber in relation to the metabolism of saprotrophic microorganisms from the enteral level and the benefits of the various pathologies with which they can be correlated.

Multi-Elemental Analysis as a Tool to Ascertain the Safety and the Origin of Beehive Products: Development, Validation, and Application of an ICP-MS Method on Four Unifloral Honeys Produced in Sardinia, Italy

Despite unifloral honeys from Sardinia, Italy, being appreciated worldwide for their peculiar organoleptic features, their elemental signature has only partly been investigated. Hence, the principal aim of this study was to measure the concentration of trace and toxic elements (i.e., Ag, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Sr, Te, Tl, V, and Zn) in four unifloral honeys produced in Sardinia. For this purpose, an original ICP-MS method was developed, fully validated, and applied on unifloral honeys from asphodel, eucalyptus, strawberry tree, and thistle. Particular attention was paid to the method’s development: factorial design was applied for the optimization of the acid microwave digestion, whereas the instrumental parameters were tuned to minimize the polyatomic interferences. Most of the analytes’ concentration ranged between the relevant LoDs and few mg kg⁻¹, while toxic elements were present in negligible amounts. The elemental signatures of asphodel and thistle honeys were measured for the first time, whereas those of eucalyptus and strawberry tree honeys suggested a geographical differentiation if compared with the literature. Chemometric analysis allowed for the botanical discrimination of honeys through their elemental signature, whereas linear discriminant analysis provided an accuracy level of 87.1%.

Honey polyphenolic fraction inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 expression via upregulation of microRNA-26a-5p expression in pancreatic islets

Objectives

Honey total polyphenolic fraction (HTPF) is reported to have anti-disease potential, however the role of HTPF in the regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has never been investigated. This study was undertaken to investigate the potential of HTPF against inflammation via regulation of miRNAs in pancreatic islets of Langerhans.

Methods

Pancreatic islets were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and HTPF was purified from honey. Bioinformatics algorithms were used to determine miRNA target genes. Expression of miRNA and mRNA was determined using their specific taqman assays. Pairing between miRNA and 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of mRNA was confirmed using luciferase reporter clone containing the 3′UTR of mRNA sequences and results were verified by transfection of mouse pancreatic β-cell line Min6 with miRNA inhibitors.

Results

The data showed that mmu-miR-26a-5p is a direct regulator of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and HTPF inhibits COX-2 expression or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production via up-regulating mmu-miR-26a-5p expression. Transfection of islets with anti-miR-26a-5p significantly enhanced COX-2 expression and PGE2 production ( p < .01), while HTPF treatment significantly inhibited anti-miR-26a-5p transfection-induced COX-2 expression or PGE2 production ( p < .05). These findings were further verified in pancreatic β-cells Min6. Moreover, the data also determined that HTPF also inhibits glucose-induced nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB activity.

Conclusion

HTPF suppresses glucose-induced PGE2 production and activation of NF-κB via negative regulation of COX-2 and mmu-miR26a-5p. These novel pharmacological actions of HTPF on glucose-stimulated pancreatic islets provide new suggestions that HTPF or HTPF-derived compounds inhibit glucose induced inflammation in pancreas by up-regulating the expression of microRNAs.

Honey Bee Products: Preclinical and Clinical Studies of Their Anti-inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Properties

Inflammation is a defense process triggered when the body faces assaults from pathogens, toxic substances, microbial infections, or when tissue is damaged. Immune and inflammatory disorders are common pathogenic pathways that lead to the progress of various chronic diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. The overproduction of cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, is an essential parameter in the clinical diagnosis of auto-inflammatory diseases. In this review, the effects of bee products have on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases are discussed with respect to the current literature. The databases of Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Sci-Finder and clinical trials were screened using different combinations of the following terms: “immunomodulatory”, “anti-inflammatory”, “bee products”, “honey”, “propolis”, “royal jelly”, “bee venom”, “bee pollen”, “bee bread”, “preclinical trials”, “clinical trials”, and “safety”. Honey bee products, including propolis, royal jelly, honey, bee venom, and bee pollen, or their bioactive chemical constituents like polyphenols, demonstrate interesting therapeutic potential in the regulation of inflammatory mediator production as per the increase of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, Il-2, and Il-7, and the decrease of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Additionally, improvement in the immune response via activation of B and T lymphocyte cells, both in in vitro, in vivo and in clinical studies was reported. Thus, the biological properties of bee products as anti-inflammatory, immune protective, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and antimicrobial agents have prompted further clinical investigation.

Manuka honey in combination with 5-Fluorouracil decreases physical parameters of colonspheres enriched with cancer stem-like cells and reduces their resistance to apoptosis

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the in vitro effect of Manuka honey and its combination with 5-Fu, the most common drug used in the treatment of colon cancer, on the morphological and physical parameters of colonspheres enriched with cancer stem-like cells deriving from HCT-116 colon adenocarcinoma cell line and on the apoptosis rate. Manuka honey, alone and more in combination with 5-Fu, reduced the weight, the diameter and mass density of the spheroids and induced apoptosis through the downregulation of many apoptosis inhibitors, including IAPs (Livin, Survivin, XIAP), IGFs (IGF-I, IGF-II and IGF-IR) and HSPs (HSP-27, HSP-60 and HSP-70). These results led to a reduction in the survival ability of cancer stem-like cells, as well as to a chemosensitizing effect of honey towards 5-Fu, considering that apoptosis resistance is one of the main causes of cancer stem-like cells chemoresistance.

Homogentisic acid, a main phenolic constituent of strawberry tree honey, protects human peripheral blood lymphocytes against irinotecan-induced cytogenetic damage in vitro

Homogentisic acid (HGA) is the most abundant phenolic compound in strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) honey and an intermediate in the metabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine. Since HGA exerts its dual nature (pro-oxidant and antioxidant), which depends on the concentration and cell type, the aim of study was to determine whether HGA possess cytoprotective effects and could counteract the cyto- and genotoxic effects of the antineoplastic drug irinotecan (IRI). Tested concentrations corresponded to HGA content in average daily dose of strawberry tree honey as well as five- and ten-fold higher concentrations. Cyto- and genoprotective effects were tested on human peripheral blood lymphocytes using chromosomal aberrations assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay. HGA, even at concentrations 10-fold higher than the one present in the daily amount of consumed strawberry tree honey, posed a non-significant cytotoxic threat to lymphocytes, had a negligible potential for causing cytogenetic damage in treated cells, and did not significantly impair their proliferation. Results of the chromosomal aberration assay and CBMN Cyt assay also showed that HGA efficiently counteracted the detrimental cytogenetic effects of IRI in vitro. The finding on cyto- and genoprotective effects of HGA merits further research in order to better explain the safety profile of this compound and to assess its potency for the development of novel nutraceutical products.

Honey in wound healing: An updated review

Wound healing is a complex process with many interdependent pathophysiological and immunological mediators to restore the cellular integrity of damaged tissue. Cutaneous wound healing is the repair response to a multitude of pathologies induced by trauma, surgery, and burn leading to the restoration and functionality of the compromised cells. Many different methods have been employed to treat acute and chronic wounds, such as antimicrobial therapy, as most wounds are susceptible to infection from microbes and are difficult to treat. However, many antimicrobial agents have become ineffective in wound treatment due to the emergence of multiple drug-resistant bacteria, and failures in current wound treatment methods have been widely reported. For this reason, alternative therapies have been sought, one of which is the use of honey as a wound treatment agent. The use of honey has recently gained clinical popularity for possible use in wound treatment and regenerative medicine. With this high demand, a better delivery and application procedure is required, as well as research aiming at its bioactivity. Honey is a safe natural substance, effective in the inhibition of bacterial growth and the treatment of a broad range of wound types, including burns, scratches, diabetic boils (Skin abscesses associated with diabetic), malignancies, leprosy, fistulas, leg ulcers, traumatic boils, cervical and varicose ulcers, amputation, burst abdominal wounds, septic and surgical wounds, cracked nipples, and wounds in the abdominal wall. Honey comprises a wide variety of active compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acid, organic acids, enzymes, and vitamins, that may act to improve the wound healing process. Tissue-engineered scaffolds have recently attracted a great deal of attention, and various scaffold fabrication techniques are being researched. Some incorporate honey to improve their delivery during wound treatment. Hence, the aim of this review is to summarize recent studies on the wound healing properties of honey.

Promising Protective Effects of Chrysin in Cardiometabolic Diseases

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) have a great burden in terms of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The vicious cycle of CMD consists of type II diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and atherosclerosis interacting and feedbacking each other. The natural flavonoid chrysin has been displayed to own a broad spectrum of therapeutic impacts for human health. Herein, we did an in-depth investigation of the novel mechanisms of chrysin's cardioprotection against cardiometabolic disorder. Studies have shown that chrysin protects the cardiovascular system by enhancing the intrinsic antioxidative defense system. This antioxidant boost by chrysin protects against several risk factors of cardiometabolic disorders including atherosclerosis, vascular inflammation and dysfunction, platelet aggregation, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiotoxicity, myocardial infarction, injury and remodeling, diabetes-induced injuries, and obesity. Chrysin also exhibited anti-inflammatory mechanisms through inhibiting pro-inflammatory pathways including NF-κB, MAPK, and PI3k/Akt. Furthermore, chrysin modulated NO pathway, RAS system, AGE/RAGE pathway, PPARs pathway which contributed to the risk factors of cardiometabolic disorders. Taken together, the mechanisms in which chrysin protects against cardiometabolic disorder are more than merely antioxidation and anti-inflammation in the cardiovascular system.

Natural substances derived from herbs or plants are promising sources of anticancer agents against colorectal cancer via triggering apoptosis

OBJECTIVES

Nowadays, one of the most common gastrointestinal cancers is colorectal cancer (CRC). Chemotherapy is still one of the main methods to treat cancer. However, the currently available synthetic chemotherapy drugs often cause serious adverse reactions. Apoptosis is generally considered as an ideal way for induction the death of tumour cells without the body's inflammatory response, and it is reported that lots of natural agents could trigger various cancer cells to apoptosis. The overarching aim of this project was to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which natural substances induce apoptosis in CRC cells and to be used as an alternative therapeutic option in the future.

KEY FINDINGS

The mechanisms for the pro-apoptotic effects of natural substances derived from herbs or plants include death receptor pathway, mitochondrial pathway, endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway, related signal transduction pathways (PI3K/Akt, MAPK, p53 signalling), and so on.

SUMMARY

This paper updated this information regarding the anti-tumour effects of natural agents via induction of apoptosis against CRC, which would be beneficial for future new drug research regarding natural products from herbs or plants.

Antioxidant Role of Kaempferol in Prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are noxious to cells because their increased level interacts with the body's defense mechanism. These species also cause mutations and uncontrolled cell division, resulting in oxidative stress (OS). Prolonged oxidative stress is responsible for incorrect protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), causing a stressful condition, ER stress. These cellular stresses (oxidative stress and ER stress) are well-recognized biological factors that play a prominent role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is a critical global health problem and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The application of anti-oxidants from herbal sources significantly reduces oxidative stress. Kaempferol (KP) is a naturally occurring, aglycone dietary flavonoid that is present in various plants (Crocus sativus, Coccinia grandis, Euphorbia pekinensis, varieties of Aloe vera, etc.) It is capable of interacting with pleiotropic proteins of the human body. Efforts are in progress to develop KP as a potential candidate to prevent HCC with no adverse effects. This review emphasizes the molecular mechanism of KP for treating HCC, targeting oxidative stress.

Pharmaceutical Prospects of Bee Products: Special Focus on Anticancer, Antibacterial, Antiviral, and Antiparasitic Properties

Bee products have long been used in traditional healing practices to treat many types of disorders, including cancer and microbial-related diseases. Indeed, several chemical compounds found in bee products have been demonstrated to display anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic properties. With the improvement of research tools and in view of recent advances related to bee products, this review aims to provide broad yet detailed insight into the pharmaceutical prospects of bee products such as honey, propolis, bee pollen, royal jelly, bee bread, beeswax, and bee venom, in the domain of cancer and infectious disease management. Available literature confirms the efficacy of these bee products in the alleviation of cancer progression, inhibition of bacterial and viral proliferation, and mitigation of parasitic-related symptoms. With such potentials, bioactive components isolated from the bee products can be used as an alternative approach in the long-run effort to improve humans’ health at a personal and community level.

Comparative Study of Several Machine Learning Algorithms for Classification of Unifloral Honeys

Unifloral honeys are highly demanded by honey consumers, especially in Europe. To ensure that a honey belongs to a very appreciated botanical class, the classical methodology is palynological analysis to identify and count pollen grains. Highly trained personnel are needed to perform this task, which complicates the characterization of honey botanical origins. Organoleptic assessment of honey by expert personnel helps to confirm such classification. In this study, the ability of different machine learning (ML) algorithms to correctly classify seven types of Spanish honeys of single botanical origins (rosemary, citrus, lavender, sunflower, eucalyptus, heather and forest honeydew) was investigated comparatively. The botanical origin of the samples was ascertained by pollen analysis complemented with organoleptic assessment. Physicochemical parameters such as electrical conductivity, pH, water content, carbohydrates and color of unifloral honeys were used to build the dataset. The following ML algorithms were tested: penalized discriminant analysis (PDA), shrinkage discriminant analysis (SDA), high-dimensional discriminant analysis (HDDA), nearest shrunken centroids (PAM), partial least squares (PLS), C5.0 tree, extremely randomized trees (ET), weighted k-nearest neighbors (KKNN), artificial neural networks (ANN), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM) with linear and radial kernels and extreme gradient boosting trees (XGBoost). The ML models were optimized by repeated 10-fold cross-validation primarily on the basis of log loss or accuracy metrics, and their performance was compared on a test set in order to select the best predicting model. Built models using PDA produced the best results in terms of overall accuracy on the test set. ANN, ET, RF and XGBoost models also provided good results, while SVM proved to be the worst.

Identification of the functional food potency of çalkama: A traditional recipe with edible Mediterranean wild greens from Turkish cuisine

BACKGROUND: The phytochemical contents of traditional foods are necessary to further elucidate the impacts of the Mediterranean diet on health. Çalkama is traditional food prepared by using wild green plants including chard (Beta vulgaris var.cicl), wild fennel (Foeniculum vulgare spp), common mellow (Malva sylvestris L), common poppy (Papaver rhoeas L), dock (Rumex spp), common nettle (Urtica dioica L), sow-thistle (Sonchus asper (L) Hill), common stork’s bill (Erodium circutarium (L)L Hér) and wild leek (Allium ampeloprasum L). OBJECTIVE: In this research, the antioxidant activity and the flavonoid and phenolic acid composition were separately analyzed for each plant and çalkama. METHODS: Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and total antioxidant capacity of each plant and çalkama were measured spectrophotometric assays. Ultra-fast liquid chromatography (UFLC) was performed to detect specific flavonoid groups. RESULTS: It was detected that one portion of çalkama (100 g) contained approximately 250 mg of flavonoids. Particularly, quercetin and apigenin contributed to the main flavonoid source and chlorogenic acid was the major phenolic acid in çalkama. CONCLUSIONS: According to our findings, this food can be considered as a good phenolic and flavonoid source which protects its high antioxidant capacity through preparation and cooking processes.

Current status of the gastrointestinal digestion effects on honey: A comprehensive review

In the past five years, more than 8000 scientific reports have been published on honey composition and its potential bioactivity as a source of pro-health components. However, the potential effectiveness of nutrients and other compounds in the human body is greatly influenced by the individual digestion conditions. Consequently, changes in the structure of honey components and their interactions with other constituents are expected and they may affect the bioaccessibility, the bioavailability, and further physiological functions of honey nutrients and bioactives. In this context, in addition to present key physiological characteristics for each step of the human digestion and their simulation aspects, this review also summarizes and discusses available data regarding the effect of the digestion (in vitro and in vivo) on honey compounds. Additionally, we consider the influence of the digestion on biological activities described for the compounds in the honey.

The Immunomodulatory Effects of Honey and Associated Flavonoids in Cancer

Honey has exerted a high impact in the field of alternative medicine over many centuries. In addition to its wound healing, anti-microbial and antioxidant properties, several lines of evidence have highlighted the efficiency of honey and associated bioactive constituents as anti-tumor agents against a range of cancer types. Mechanistically, honey was shown to inhibit cancer cell growth through its pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects. However, the potential of honey to regulate anti-tumor immune responses is relatively unexplored. A small number of in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the ability of honey to modulate the immune system by inducing immunostimulatory as well as anti-inflammatory effects. In the present review, we summarize the findings from different studies that aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory properties of honey and its flavonoid components in relation to cancer. While these studies provide promising data, additional research is needed to further elucidate the immunomodulatory properties of honey, and to enable its utilization as an adjuvant therapy in cancer.

Honey authenticity: analytical techniques, state of the art and challenges

Honey is a high-value, globally consumed, food product featuring a high market price strictly related to its origin. Moreover, honey origin has to be clearly stated on the label, and quality schemes are prescribed based on its geographical and botanical origin. Therefore, to enhance food quality, it is of utmost importance to develop analytical methods able to accurately and precisely discriminate honey origin. In this study, an all-time scientometric evaluation of the field is provided for the first time using a structured keyword on the Scopus database. The bibliometric analysis pinpoints that the botanical origin discrimination was the most studied authenticity issue, and chromatographic methods were the most frequently used for its assessment. Based on these results, we comprehensively reviewed analytical techniques that have been used in honey authenticity studies. Analytical breakthroughs and bottlenecks on methodologies to assess honey quality parameters using separation, bioanalytical, spectroscopic, elemental and isotopic techniques are presented. Emphasis is given to authenticity markers, and the necessity to apply chemometric tools to reveal them. Altogether, honey authenticity is an ever-growing field, and more advances are expected that will further secure honey quality.

The Composition, Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Activity, and Sensory Properties of Estonian Honeys

Thirty honey samples from different regions of Estonia were investigated to determine the chemical compositions, physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, and sensory characteristics of typical honeys from a northern climate. The physicochemical parameters, such as electrical conductivity, moisture content, free acidity, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase, and invertase activity were measured. The color was measured and expressed by L*-, a*-, and b*-coordinates. Sensory parameters were determined by using “fruity”, “floral”, “berry-like”, “herbal”, “woody”, “spicy”, “sweet”, and “animal-like” as the main odor and flavor attributes. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were in the range of 26.2–88.7 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 g and 1.9–6.4 mg quercetin equivalents (QE) per 100 g, respectively. The identified polyphenols showed the highest intensities of caffeic acid, coumaric acid, and abscisic acid and its derivatives. The protocatechuic acid intensity was highest in honeys containing traces of honeydew elements and of cinnamic acid and myricetin in heather honey. The water-soluble antioxidant values were 37.8–311.2 mg ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE) per 100 g and the lipid soluble antioxidant values were 14.4–60.7 mg Trolox equivalents (TE) per 100 g. The major amino acid in the analyzed honeys was proline, with variable values depending on the honey’s botanical source. Correlations were calculated based on the results obtained. It was revealed that the typical Estonian honey has floral, berry-like, sweet, and rather mild sensory characteristics. Most of the honeys lacked stronger spicy, woody, and animal-like attributes. The typical color of Estonian honey is quite light.

Usefulness of Honey as an Adjunct in the Radiation Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer: Emphasis on Pharmacological and Mechanism/s of Actions

BACKGROUND

In the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC), ionizing radiation is an important modality in achieving curative objectives. However, the effective use of radiation is compromised by the side effects resulting from the damage to the adjacent normal tissue. Preclinical studies carried out in the recent past have shown that the age old dietary agent honey, which also possess myriad medicinal use is beneficial in mitigating diverse radiation-induced side effects like mucositis, xerostomia, fatigue, weight loss and to promote healing of refractory wounds.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this memoir is to review the beneficial effects of honey in mitigating radiation-induced side effects in HNC and to emphasize on the underlying mechanism of action for the beneficial effects Methods: Two authors searched Google Scholar, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for publications up to December 2019 to assess the ability of honey in reducing the severity of radiation-induced ill effects in the treatment of HNC. Subsequently, the adjunct pharmacological effects and mechanism/s responsible were also searched for and appropriately used to substantiate the underlying mechanism/s of action for the beneficial effects.

RESULTS

The existing data is suggestive that honey is beneficial in mitigating the radiation-induced mucositis, xerostomia, healing of recalcitrant wounds in radiation exposed regions and multiple pathways mediate the beneficial effects especially, free radical scavenging, antioxidant, wound healing, anticancer, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anabolic, anti-fatigue and anti-anaemic effects that add additional value to the use of honey as an adjunct in cancer therapy.

CONCLUSION

For the first time this review addresses the underlying pharmacological effects related to the beneficial effects of honey in radiation-induced damage, and attempts at emphasizes the lacunae that need further studies for optimizing the use of honey as an adjunct in radiotherapy of HNC. The authors suggest that future studies should be directed at understanding the detail molecular mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects using validated cell culture and animal models of study. Large multi centric clinical trials with standardised honey is also needed to understand the clinical use of honey.

Physicochemical Properties and Effects of Honeys on Key Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Cholesterol Homeostasis in HepG2 Cells

Manuka honey and newly developed honeys (arjuna, guggul, jiaogulan and olive) were examined for their physicochemical, biochemical properties and effects on oxidative stress and cholesterol homeostasis in fatty acid-induced HepG2 cells. The honeys exhibited standard moisture content (<20%), electrical conductivity (<0.8 mS/cm), acidic pH, and monosaccharides (>60%), except olive honey (<60% total monosaccharides). They all expressed non-Newtonian behavior and 05 typical regions of the FTIR spectra as those of natural ones. Guggul and arjuna, manuka honeys showed the highest phenolic contents, correlating with their significant antioxidant activities. Arjuna, guggul and manuka honeys demonstrated the agreement of total cholesterol reduction and the transcriptional levels of AMPK, SREBP2, HCMGR, LDLR, LXRα. Jiaogulan honey showed the least antioxidant content and activity, but it was the most cytotoxic. Both jiaogulan and olive honeys modulated the tested gene in the pattern that should lead to a lower TC content, but this reduction did not occur after 24 h. All 2% concentrations of tested honeys elicited a clearer effect on NQO1 gene expression. In conclusion, the new honeys complied with international norms for natural honeys and we provide partial evidence for the protective effects of manuka, arjuna and guggul honeys amongst the tested ones on key biomarkers of oxidative stress and cholesterol homeostasis, pending further studies to better understand their modes of action.

Classification of Unifloral Honeys from SARDINIA (Italy) by ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy and Random Forest

Nowadays, the mislabeling of honey floral origin is a very common fraudulent practice. The scientific community is intensifying its efforts to provide the bodies responsible for controlling the authenticity of honey with fast and reliable analytical protocols. In this study, the classification of various monofloral honeys from Sardinia, Italy, was attempted by means of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and random forest. Four different floral origins were considered: strawberry-tree (Arbutus Unedo L.), asphodel (Asphodelus microcarpus), thistle (Galactites tormentosa), and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus calmadulensis). Training a random forest on the infrared spectra allowed achieving an average accuracy of 87% in a cross-validation setting. The identification of the significant wavenumbers revealed the important role played by the region 1540-1175 cm-1 and, to a lesser extent, the region 1700-1600 cm-1. The contribution of the phenolic fraction was identified as the main responsible for this observation.

Antimicrobial Activity of Bee-Collected Pollen and Beebread: State of the Art and Future Perspectives

Bee-collected pollen (BCP) is a well-known functional food. Honey bees process the collected pollen and store it in the hive, inside the comb cells. The processed pollen is called bee- bread or ambrosia and it is the main source of proteins, lipids, vitamins, macro-and micro-elements in honey bee nutrition. During storage, beebread undergoes solid state fermentation which preserves it and increases the bioavailability of nutrients. Research on beebread has been rather limited until now. In recent years, there is an increasing interest regarding the antimicrobial properties of BCP and beebread, due to emerging antimicrobial resistance by pathogens. Both BCP and beebread exhibit antimicrobial properties against diverse pathogens, like bacteria and fungi. As is the case with other bee products, lack of antimicrobial resistance might be attributed to the synergy of more than one antimicrobial compounds within BCP and beebread. Furthermore, BCP and bee bread exert targeted activity against pathogens and affect the host microbiome in a prebiotic manner. This review aims to present up to date research findings regarding these aspects as well as to discuss current challenges and future perspectives in the field.

Physicochemical characteristics and antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of Moroccan Zantaz honey rich in methyl syringate

Zantaz honey is a monofloral variety produced from the melliferous plant Bupleurum spinosum (Apiaceae), a shrub that grows mainly in the Atlas Moroccan Mountains. Determination of the polyphenol composition revealed that methyl syringate accounts for more than 50% of total polyphenols, which represents a very useful parameter for the characterization of this monofloral honey. Epicatechin, syringic acid and catechin are also abundant. Caco-2 and THP-1 cells were used for determination of antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in Zantaz honey, respectively. All six commercial samples that were used for these studies exhibited antioxidant activity and inhibited cell proliferation. Interestingly, these activities had a positive correlation mainly with the content in methyl syringate and gallic acid. The recognition of health promoting activities in Zantaz honey should increase its commercial value, which would have a positive economic impact on the poor rural communities of Morocco where it is produced.