Saturday, September 30, 2006

Propolis May Be Useful for Dental Treatments

Efficacy of Propolis as an Intracanal Medicament Against Enterococcus Faecalis
General Dentistry, 2006 Sep-Oct;54(5):319-22

This study sought to compare the antibacterial efficacy of three commonly used intracanal medicaments with propolis against Enterococcus faecalis

This study revealed that propolis had good in vitro antibacterial activity against E. faecalis in the root canals, suggesting that it could be used as an alternative intracanal medicament.

Friday, September 29, 2006

Tanzanian University Develops New Honey Processing Technology


SUA Concocts Honey Processing Technology
By Mgeta Mganga, Guardian (Tanzania), 9/18/2006

Scientists at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) have developed an efficient honey processing technology for domestic bee-keepers.

The invention is thought to mark an end to the habit of home-processed honey failure to command significant share in either domestic or foreign markets because of poor processing technologies that diminish the quality of the final products.

In an interview in Dar es salaam during the 7th African Intellectual Property and Technology Day last week, Valery Ngatingwa, Chief Technologists and bee-keeping expert technologies in the Department of Engineering from SUA said the new equipment would help farmers to process pure honey of high quality and wax.

According to Ngatingwa, the technology uses the gravity force to suck honey while protecting the honey from contamination by foreign materials, including dust.

The fabricated local machine is said to be able to process eight litres of honey within thirty minutes, if adequate heat is available to the system. Again, it is portable enough to moved to any location where honey harvesting was undertaken…

The by-products of honey - wax, pollen, propolis, venom, brood and royal jelly - could properly be extracted from honey once the new technology is deployed, thus creating more incomes and jobs in the rural areas…

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Highlights of 1st International Conference on the Medicinal Uses of Honey


Reported by: Professor Nor Hayati Othman, Chairperson

KOTA BHARU, Malaysia - Recently the 1st International Conference on the Medicinal Uses of Honey was organized by the Health Campus staffs of Universiti Sains Malaysia. This 3-day conference witnessed many advances in the field of honey in medicinal uses.

Professor Peter C Molan, a world-renowned expert on medical honey from Waikato University Honey Research Unit, New Zealand – Honey, a pure natural extract of nectar collected by the honey bees, has been proven as an antibiotic due to its high peroxidase and catalase content. Honey also promotes wound healing, remedies skin infections, and offers prevention of chemotherapy and radiotherapy side-effects.

Microbiologist Dr Sohna Blair from Australia and Dr Rose Cooper from Cardiff, United Kingdom - Methicillin Resistant Staph Aurius commonly known as MRSA is the most difficult challenge to communities in various parts of the world. The incidence of MRSA infection is rising 6-28 percent worldwide. Honey arrests bacterial growth due to its unique hygroscopic, glucose oxidase and acidic properties; hence it can control MRSA wounds infection after the failure of modern antibiotics.

Diabetes is a common non-communicable disease managed with medications. However in the long-run patients might develop a non-healing ulcer called diabetic foot. These wounds get infected easily and progress further leading to amputation of the limb. Dr Jennifer Eddy of University of Wisconsin, USA, conducted a clinical trial on the use of honey in diabetic foot and observed interesting properties of honey to heal difficult foot ulcers in diabetic patients.

Extensive clinical observations on the application of honey dressing in diabetic foot ulcers were also noted by a team of researchers from University Sains Malaysia headed by Dr Mohd Iskander Amin, an orthopedic and microvascular surgeon.

A recently-published study demonstrating that regular daily consumption of honey could decrease blood sugar levels was reported by Dr Noori Al-Waili from Dubai Specialist Center.

According to Professor Subhrahmanyam from India, burn wounds are difficult to treat. There are various wound care protocols using different dressings materials. The thermal injury usually produces extensive epithelial exposure leading to fluid loss and secondary infections. Randomized trials have proven the usefulness of honey as a standard of care in extensive burn wounds.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are being used widely for the treatment of cancers involving, nose throat, nasopharynx, oropharynx and larynx. Extensive development of radiotherapy/chemotherapy techniques improved cure rates. However side-effects in the form of oral soreness (radiation mucositis) increase tremendously affecting quality of life and swallowing leading to loss of weight. The above consequences lead to discontinuation of useful treatment.

There is no specific cure for the radiation mucositis. Pure natural honey was used in a clinical trial for the treatment of radiation mucositis at University Sains Malaysia. This study resulted in a significant reduction in painful mucositis and improvement in the patients body weight. It is a significant achievement in supportive care treatment of radiation mucositis said Associate Professor Dr Biswa Mohan Biswal who is a clinical oncologist from the said University.

The novel uses of honey in medicine have been studied for eye infection, sore throat, post-operative wound care. Recently logan honey from Thailand and China was found to be useful in painful dry skin condition called icthyosis. Professor Siu-Wan Ip from Taiwan revealed this finding during this conference.

Basic research in the field of honey is very limited in literature. However, few scientists are trying to find clues for the biological effectiveness of honey through animal studies. Asscoiate Professor Siti Amrah Sulaiman and her team of researchers have demonstrated the improvement of sperm count in male mice treated with honey compared to controls. This research could address the role of honey in infertility of males.

Throughout the world various types of honey is being produced from nectars of many types of flowers. Some specific types of floral honey shown to be medically useful for their medicinal properties. The problem is, how do we know honey that is sold at the supermarkets are pure and have medicinal value?

Professor Kamaruddin Yusoff of Universiti Malaya Medical Center Kuala Lumpur based on two decades of experience on honey research found a technique to differentiate pure honey from adulterated honey. He has disclosed his findings during a lecture on antioxidant properties of honey. Currently he is engaged with a research projects along with researchers from Turkey to develop a dip-test kit to detect adulterated honey.

This unique conference attracted attention from international communities. More than a dozen countries participated in this meeting. Professor Nor Hayati Othman, chairperson of the conference expressed her desire to promote honey science research in Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Using Bee Stings To Treat Pain

Healthy Living, KUTV (USA), 9/26/2006

Could the cure for pain relief be right in front of us? A small group of people think so.

They’re called apitherapits and in this Healthy Living report we’ll see why they’re trying to create a buzz about bees.

Apitherapist Frederique Keller says, “It’s been around for 5,000 years, all over the world.”

It’s called apitherapy the use of bees and bee products for medical purposes. Believers say the beehive holds some of the best treatments for pain associated with disease.

“For M.S., osteo-arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, the list goes on and on,” says Keller.

It’s not a philosophy shared by the mainstream medical community. Andrew Kochen says he’s one of just a handful of medical doctors in the U.S. who treats pain patients with bee stings.

“I’ve been treating people 17 years,” says Doctor Kochen, “primarily shingles pain, nerve pain, scars…painful scars.”

Gerald Emshwiller gets about 90 stings a week to help with pain management. He says it hurts every single time but it’s worth it because he’s now off pain medication.

“It’s the alternative,” says Gerald, “do I go back to meds or do I put up with pain for 5 minutes? I put up with pain for 5 minutes.”

Not all these therapies hurt. For instance, many people eat local honey to treat allergies.

Frederique Keller says, “You can de-sensitize any local allergy, including the most sensitive person.”

Pollen and royal jelly are also said to help with countless medical and cosmetic issues. Apitherapists say these treatments aren’t a cure-all, and won’t work for everyone. But they’d like more people to open themselves up to the possibility that effective therapies could be in their own backyard…

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Study: Antioxidative Capacity of Bee Pollen ‘Very High’

Antioxidative Properties of Bee Pollen in Selected Plant Species
Food Chemistry, Volume 100, Issue 1 , 2007, Pages 237-240

Abstract: Phenolic constituents (total phenols, phenylpropanoids, flavonols and anthocyanins) and antioxidant ability were determined in bee pollen of 12 plant species…

Great variability of phenolic contents was observed in the pollen of investigated species. Total antioxidant activity differed considerably (0.8–86.4% inhibition of lipid peroxidation), however, in most of the examined pollens, it was high and corresponded with the phenylpropanoid level.

Great differences in the radical-scavenging activity (8.6–91.5% of DPPH neutralization) and in the hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity (10.5–98% inhibition of deoxyribose degradation) were observed and were not correlated with the content of phenolic compounds.

In most of the investigated plant species, antioxidative capacity of bee pollen was very high.

Monday, September 25, 2006

New Method for Monitoring Antioxidant Power of Bee Products

Evaluation of the Antioxidant Power of Honey, Propolis and Royal Jelly by Amperometric Flow Injection Analysis

Abstract: In this paper is described the applicability of a flow injection system, operating with an amperometric detector, for measurement in rapid and simple way the antioxidant power of honey, propolis and royal jelly…

Since a good correlation was found (R2 = 0.92) the proposed electrochemical method can be successfully employed for the direct, rapid and simple monitoring of the antioxidant power of honeybee products…

Sunday, September 24, 2006

American Apitherapist Profiled


All A-Buzz: Stamford Beekeeper Puts in the Stinger
By Bonnie Obremski, North Adams Transcript, 9/23/2006

STAMFORD, Vt. — Lloyd Vosburgh stings people with bees — on purpose. "This is what a retired person does," he said Monday, joking about his "bee-venom therapy" practice, which he has used on people with arthritis and other chronic pain for the past 10 years.

Vosburgh, 73, uses honey bees from his backyard hives on Henry Hill to inject venom into those interested in the alternative pain treatment.

He makes no pretense of being a doctor or a holistic healer but says he knows one thing:

"It works."…

Saturday, September 23, 2006

First Apitherapy Symposium in Ecuador November 15-18, 2007

For more information about the symposium, e-mail: josecc01@uio.satnet.net

Friday, September 22, 2006

Propolis Component Helps Prevent Stricture Development After Esophageal Burns

Role of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester, an Active Component of Propolis, Against NAOH-Induced Esophageal Burns in Rats
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Volume 70, Issue 10 , October 2006, Pages 1731-1739

Objectives: This study was evaluated to investigate the efficacy of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), which is a natural honeybee product exhibits a spectrum of biological activities including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumoral actions, on the prevention of stricture development after esophageal caustic injuries in the rat…

Conclusions: It is concluded that CAPE has a preventive effect on the stricture development after esophageal caustic injuries in the rat.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Unheated Local Honey Recommended for Allergies

Honey May Be Sweet Allergy Medicine
NBC 17 (USA), 9/20/2006

RALEIGH, N.C. -- When it comes to treating allergies, local bee honey might be the best medicine for some people.

Paul Fleckenstein is a local beekeeper and said more people are using honey to treat allergy symptoms like sneezing, itchy watery eyes, headaches and nasal congestion.

"There's several people that have figured it out," said Fleckenstein.

Dr. Cynthia Young said this home remedy trend is catching.

"I have actually recommended that to patients," said Young.

Young believes people develop allergies from constant exposure to common allergens, like dust, plant pollen or certain foods including eggs, wheat, soy, nuts and seafood. Doctors said prescription medicine can help, but so can honey.

"By using locally grown honey, which contains small amounts of pollen from all around the area that patients are living in, they eventually may become desensitized to those same pollens in the environment," said Young. "The idea is that you expose patients to very tiny, miniscule amounts of the substances that they're allergic to, whether that be pollen, dust or animal hair. By giving them a shot every week, eventually their body becomes used to seeing those substances and becomes desensitized."

Beekeepers warn consumers that not all types of honey should be used to treat allergies.

"It should be raw and unfiltered, which means it hasn't been cooked. When it gets cooked, it ruins part of what helps," said Fleckenstein…

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Study: Honey May be Used as Pollution Indicator

Preliminary Chemometric Study on the Use of Honey as an Environmental Marker in Galicia (Northwestern Spain)
J Agric Food Chem, 2006 Sep 20;54(19):7206-7212

Thirteen metal elements were determined in 40 honey samples from Galicia with different environmental origins: rural, urban, and industrial areas. The data set of the honey metallic profiles was studied with a double purpose: first, to make a preliminary evaluation of honey as an environmental indicator in Galicia with the aim of monitoring pollution and, second, to compare the different capabilities of diverse pattern recognition prediction procedures for modeling the environmental surrounding of the hive…

The metal profiles of honey seem to provide sufficient information to enable categorization criteria for classifying samples according to their environmental surrounding. Thus, honey could be a potential pollution indicator for the Galician area.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Bee-Collected Pollen Increases Feed Intake by Horses

Bee Pollen Product Supplementation to Horses in Training Seems to Improve Feed Intake
J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr, (Berl). 2006 Oct;90(9-10):414-20

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of supplementation of Dynamic Trio 50/50, a bee pollen-based product, to improve physical fitness, blood leukocyte profiles, and nutritional variables in exercised horses…

Dynamic Trio 50/50 supplementation may have a positive effect on performance by helping horses in training meet their potentially increased nutrient demands by increasing feed intake and thus nutrient retention.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Honey Bee ‘Waggle Dance’ Algorithm Helps Improve Business Efficiency

A Mathematical Procedure Based on the Behavior of Honey Bees May Improve Business Efficiency
Medicine & Law Weekly, 9/22/2006

A new mathematical procedure based on the behavior of honey bees is delivering sweet results for industry. Researchers at Cardiff University's Manufacturing Engineering Centre (MEC) developed the procedure, or algorithm, after observing the "waggle dance" of bees foraging for nectar.

When a bee finds a source of nectar, it returns to the hive and performs a dance to show other bees the direction and distance of the flower patch and how plentiful it is. The other workers then decide how many of them will fly off to find the new source, depending on its distance and quality.

The MEC team's Bees Algorithm mimics this behavior. A computer can be set up to calculate the results of different settings on a manufacturing process. More computing power is then devoted to searching around the most successful settings, in the same way as more bees are sent to the most promising flower patches.

The algorithm has been shown to cope with up to 3,000 variables and is faster than existing calculations. By entering basic data about all or part of a company, or even just one machine, the MEC team can calculate the best outcome for a wide range of business processes. They have already used the Bees Algorithm to work out the most efficient settings on welding systems and for the design of springs.

The algorithm was unveiled by PhD student Afshin Ghanbarzadeh and his team at the recent internet-based Innovative Production and Machines Conference hosted by MEC as part of its work with the E.U.-funded Network of Excellence in this field…

Sunday, September 17, 2006

New Method for Determining Hydrogen Peroxide Potential of Honey

Application of Crude Extract of Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea gongylodes) as a Rich Source of Peroxidase in the Spectrofluorometric Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide in Honey Samples
Anal Sci, 2006 Sep;22(9):1201-6

Crude extract of kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea gongylodes) was prepared by a simple procedure and its enzymatic activity and total protein concentration were determined. It was found that this crude extract is a rich source of peroxidase (POx) and has high specific activity…

The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of hydrogen peroxide in honey. The concentration-time profile of H(2)O(2) produced upon dilution of honey was studied and H(2)O(2) contents of some different honeys from various areas of Iran were determined.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Chinese Apitherapy Conference November 4-6, 2006

The 8th International Conference of the International Apitherapy Health Care & Bee Products Association (IAHBA)

Date: November 4-6, 2006
Location: Science Museum of Yunnan University, China
Organizer: The International Apitherapy Health Care & Bee Acupuncture Association (IAHBA)
Official Languages: Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean
Cost: USD $210

For more information, contact the General-Secretary: Mr. Koh Tong Sin (Singapore)
E-Mail: apinc18@hotmail.com

Friday, September 15, 2006

Honey Used as Folk Medicine in Russia

At a Moscow Fair, Selling the Healing Powers of Honey
By Alexander Osipovich, International Herald Tribune, 9/13/2006

MOSCOW - The homemade poster hanging next to Yana Shikhlyarova's honey stand doesn't just list the half-dozen varieties of honey she has on sale. It also lists the various ailments they cure. Clover honey, it says, is good for the heart. Forest honey, rich in vitamins from the blackberries and wild strawberries of the woods, is good for the eyes.

And coriander honey, the poster announces in extra-large print, increases male potency.

"Well, that's what it says in the literature," Shikhlyarova said with a smile. "Whether it's really true, I don't know."

For centuries, Russians have practiced the art of honey healing - a local take on homeopathy, where the nutrients of wild herbs and flowers rub off on bees, and eventually find their way into the honey that Russians put in their tea. It's a form of folk medicine that has spawned numerous books and lasted through wars and revolutions.

This autumn, there is no better place to learn about the phenomenon than the 16th All-Russian Honey Fair, where more than 1,000 beekeepers from throughout the former Soviet Union are selling their sweet, sticky wares to health-conscious Muscovites…

Thursday, September 14, 2006

USA Apitherapy Firm Releases ‘Super Antioxidant’ Supplement

Beehive Botanicals Releases Revolutionary New Supplement, PropolPom, that Combines the Benefits of Bee Propolis with Pomegranate Seed
Beehive Botanicals, Inc. has released a new heavy-hitting supplement that combines the well-known benefits of pomegranate seed with another popular Beehive Botanical supplement, Propol 2000. For those seeking to obtain their antioxidants in a natural product, rather than a manufactured or artificial one, this is the product.

As a brand new super antioxidant from Beehive Botanicals, PropolPom is a unique supplement for those seeking to combine the many known benefits of pomegranate seed and propolis.

PropolPom contains two well-known ingredients. The first, Propol 2000, effectively works as an anti-microbial, anti-viral, and anti-viral agent because of its own main ingredient, bee propolis.

The second, pomegranate seed, has been used throughout history for its own antioxidant properties. Touted itself as a hard-hitting antioxidant, pomegranate seed is high in vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. In early clinical trials, pomegranate has even been shown to reduce the risk for heart attacks…

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Honey Antioxidant Properties Vary with Source

Radical Scavenging Activity of Different Floral Origin Honey and Beebread Phenolic Extracts
Food Chemistry, Volume 101, Issue 2, 2007, Pages 502-514

Phenolic extracts were isolated from 35 honey and nine beebread samples obtained from different sources in Lithuania by using Amberlite XAD-2 resin. The antioxidant properties of extracts were assessed by the ABTS+ radical cation decolourisation and DPPH radical scavenging activity. It was found that all honey and beebread extracts were able to scavenge free radicals, however their scavenging activity varied in a wide range, on average between 43.0% and 95.7%...

This study demonstrates remarkable variations in antioxidant properties and content of phenolic compounds in honey from different sources; these variations should be considered in using honey as a source of natural dietary antioxidants.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Health Educator Outlines Benefits of Bee Products

Bees Make Magical Elixirs That Help Promote Healthy Lifestyles
Helayne Waldman, Contra Costa Times (USA), 9/12/2006

History informs us of an old Roman saying, "Madam, treat your husband with honey and you will possess his heart."…

Clearly, despite the trepidation they can sometimes invoke, honeybees have won a secure place in our hearts, and in our language, for many centuries. So what is this magic they possess and how can we capitalize on it as part of a healthy lifestyle?

Pollen

From a nutritional perspective, bee products including pollen, are just bursting with phytochemicals, which as you may remember, act as part of a plant's natural immune system to help ward off disease and eliminate toxins…

Propolis

…As an internal tincture, external salve, or a burn paste, propolis can clearly prevent infection, inhibit bacterial growth in the mouth, and unmistakably thwart the ambitions of invading fungi and viruses such as herpes and influenza. Moreover, extracts of propolis have recently been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in both mice and men, which means additional support for conditions such as arthritis, asthma, dermatitis and inflammatory bowel disease.

Royal jelly

…And for generations it's been used not only internally to stimulate immunity, but also as an external salve to soften skin, remove wrinkles, and reverse eczema and dermatitis.

Honey

Honey too, the gooey substance bees produce from the nectar they collect from flowers, has been revered throughout the ages -- from Greece to China, to Sub-Saharan Africa to North America --for its ability to treat sore throats, skin and stomach ulcers, digestive disorders, and for dressing wounds…

Monday, September 11, 2006

Study: Royal Jelly Prevents Osteoporosis in Rats

Beneficial Effects in Ovariectomy Model and in Bone Tissue Culture Model
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2006 Sep;3(3):339-48

Royal jelly (RJ) has been used worldwide for many years as medical products, health foods and cosmetics. Since RJ contains testosterone and has steroid hormone-type activities, we hypothesized that it may have beneficial effects on osteoporosis…our results suggest that both RJ and pRJ may prevent osteoporosis by enhancing intestinal calcium absorption, but not by directly antagonizing the action of PTH.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Virtual Tour of Museum of Apiculture in Slovenia

The Museum of Apiculture is located in the Baroque manor house in the old part of Radovljica. It displays the rich tradition of Slovenian apiculture or beekeeping which was an important branch of agriculture in the 18th and 19th centuries. the technical section of the museum shows the most typical habitats of bees and apicultural tools, the biological room highlightes the life and work of the autochthonous bee kranjska sivka (apis mellifera carnica), the art exhibition features a unique Slovenian folk art, painted beehive front boards. A copy of the apiary of the famous beekeeper Anton Janša (1734-73) has been installed in nearby Breznica.

Take a VIRTUAL TOUR of the museum.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Most Taiwanese Honey Fails Quality Standards

CF: 70% Of Honey Products Sold Below Quality
China Post (Taiwan), 9/9/2006

Over 70 percent of honey products available for sale at hypermarts in the greater Taipei area failed to meet national quality standards, according to findings of a survey released yesterday by the Consumers' Foundation (CF).

The CF recently completed examinations on 28 samples of honey products sold at major hypermarts in the metropolitan Taipei based on four criteria, including acidity, HMF (hydroxymethl furfural), diastase number, and cane sugar.

SEE: Honey Quality and International Regulatory Standards

After the examinations, the CF found that there were 20 sample products failing to pass one or more inspection criteria…

In addition, the CF also found that honey products sold in Hong Kong, mostly sourced from mainland China and South Korea, contain too much antibiotics residuals…

The officials called for consumers to choose glass-bottled honey products and not to select totally transparent honey, as transparent honey is usually mixed with chemical substances.

Friday, September 08, 2006

Bee Venom Induces Death in Tumour Cells

Bee Venom Secretory Phospholipase A2 and Phosphatidylinositol-Homologues Cooperatively Disrupt Membrane Integrity, Abrogate Signal Transduction and Inhibit Proliferation of Renal Cancer Cells
Cancer Immunol Immunother, 2006 Sep 1

Bee venom secretory phospholipase A2 (bv-sPLA2) and phosphatidylinositol-(3,4)-bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4)P2) act synergistically to induce cell death in tumour cells of various origins with concomitant stimulation of the immune system. Here, we investigated the mechanisms involved in such actions and examined structural requirements of PtdIns-homologues to inhibit tumour cells in combination with bv-sPLA2…

In conclusion, we suggest that the cytotoxic activity mediated by PtdIns(3,4)P2 and bv-sPLA2 is due to cell death that results from disruption of membrane integrity, abrogation of signal transduction and the generation of cytotoxic lyso-PtdIns(3,4)P2.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Some Hong Kong Honey Contains Trace Amounts of Chloramphenicol

Antibiotic Found in Honey Products
Hong Kong Information Services Department, 9/7/2006

Two of 19 honey samples have been found to contain trace amounts of the antibiotic chloramphenicol, the Centre for Food Safety says. However, due to the very low level of the substance, normal consumption of the two Mainland-produced honey products should not pose a threat to health.

Forty-one honey samples have been taken for antibiotics tests under the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department's food surveillance programme since 2001. Only the two latest samples were found to contain chloramphenicol. The antibiotic is used to treat bacterial infections, and its presence in food is prohibited in Hong Kong…

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Royal Jelly Liposomes Help Cell Proliferation, Renewal

Jafra Cosmetics Working on Future of Beauty
By Allison Bruce, Ventura County Star (USA), 9/5/2006

Fifty years ago, Jafra Cosmetics International started with an ancient beauty treatment that was built around mystique.

The result was Royal Jelly — a line of body care products that used a substance produced by bees to feed their young, particularly developing queens.

The substance has been used for centuries in various forms to rejuvenate the skin. Jafra seized on that to grow the company.

But an increasing demand for new products prompted Jafra to examine further possibilities.

That's where Pragna Chakravarti came in. The company's vice president of research and development and chief scientific officer is trained in pharmaceutical chemistry and has an extensive background in cosmetics, including a stint at Revlon's research center in New York. She decided to see how new science could move Jafra forward.

Royal Jelly is a very complex ingredient. It has not been successfully synthesized. Chakravarti wondered if it might be possible to reduce it down to liposomes, small particles that easily penetrate the skin.

Tests found that the serum made with those liposomes helped cell proliferation and cell renewal. With data from research done in France, the company's Royal Jelly Lift Concentrate hit the market in 2004…

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

80 Percent of Malaysian Honey Adulterated or Synthetic

80pc Local Honey Sold ‘Not Pure’
By Sulaiman Jaafar, New Straits Times, 9/5/2006

A recent study by a Universiti Malaya team found that about 80 per cent of the Malaysian honey in the market is either adulterated or synthetic.

Led by Prof Dr Kamaruddin Mohd Yusoff of the Faculty of Medicine, the team collected hundreds of bottles from wet and night markets, medicine shops and supermarkets around the country.

Dr Kamaruddin, who has been researching honey for the past 20 years, said of 40 samples taken for the final study, only nine were pure honey.

"It is estimated that only one in five bottles of honey sold is pure, while the rest is either synthetic or adulterated," he said at the First International Conference on the Medicinal Uses of Honey organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Health campus recently. More than 100 people attended, with a large participation from overseas…

Monday, September 04, 2006

New Method for Analysis of Chloramphenicol in Honey, Royal Jelly

Analysis of Chloramphenicol in Honey and Royal Jelly by LC/MS/MS
Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi, 2006 Apr;47(2):58-65

A sensitive and selective method using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was developed for the determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) in honey and royal jelly…

These results show that the developed method has satisfactory sensitivity selectivity and is useful for the determination of CAP residues in honey and royal jelly.

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Letter on Use of Honey vs. Acyclovir

Comment to: Topical Honey Application vs. Acyclovir for the Treatment of Recurrent Herpes Simplex Lesions
Med Sci Monit, 2006 Aug 25;12(9):LE18

Dear Editor, The article titled 'Topical honey application vs. Acyclovir for the treatment of recurrent herpes simplex lesions' by Noori S. Al-Waili, published in the Medical Science Monitor, Aug 2004 issue, is extremely relevant for countries like India, where a considerable proportion of population are still struggling below poverty line. At the beginning of the new millennium, 260 million people in the country did not have incomes to access a consumption basket which defines the poverty line. Of these, 75 per cent were in the rural areas. India is home to 22 per cent of the world's poor [2]. Such low cost therapy will definitely be welcome to them. Every culture has developed its own system of traditional medicine, which still persists in many parts of the world…

Cost effectiveness and cost efficiency studies also should be done to evaluate the integration of such systems of medicine into the existing health care system. Sincerely, Dr. Bratati Banerjee, Diploma in Hospital & Health Management, 113 B, Lake Terrace, Kolkata 700 029, India, e-mail: bratatibanerjee1@hotmail.com

Friday, September 01, 2006

Honey Bees Reduce Rhinitis Symptoms in Greenhouse Workers

Honeybee Interference as a Novel Aid to Reduce Pollen Exposure and Nasal Symptoms among Greenhouse Workers Allergic to Sweet Bell Pepper
Int Arch Allergy Immunol, 2006 Aug 30;141(4):390-395

Background: In 1999, an extensive study among bell pepper growers showed a prevalence of 53.8% work-related symptoms and 35.4% sensitisation to bell pepper pollen. Experiments with bees to remove pollen from bell pepper flowers have been done for a few years. Objectives: It was the aim of this study to investigate whether bees can reduce the pollen exposure in bell pepper greenhouses and whether this reduction results in a decrease in allergic complaints in the greenhouse workers…

Conclusions: The interference of bees in bell pepper greenhouses significantly reduces the pollen amount. This reduction is associated with less work-related rhinitis symptoms in allergic greenhouse workers…