Honey Extracts Research Articles

Characterisation of phenolic compounds in Algerian honeys by RP-HPLC coupled to electrospray time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A total of 35 honey samples from different regions of Algeria were studied to determine their phenolic profiles. Phenolic compounds, products of the secondary metabolism of plants, were extracted with amberlite XAD-4 and analysed by liquid chromatography, with diode array detection and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry in negative ion polarity. By using colorometric assays, Erica honeys showed the highest content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids (245 ± 54 mg GAE/100 g and 29 ± 6 mg QE/100 g, respectively). More than 30 compounds were identified in the honey samples studied including 14 phenolic acids and 16 flavonoids. In general, honey samples showed different chromatographic profiles. It has been shown that 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, apigenin, chrysin, galangin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, luteolin and pinocembrin were present in all honey extracts. Moreover, caffeic, p-coumaric and vanillic acids; abscisic and syringic acids; and benzoic acid were detected in 34, 33 and 32 honey samples, respectively. The members of flavonol subclass were the most abundant of the identified flavonoids. Gallic and homovanillic acids, daidzein and myricetin were less present: 7, 5, 7 and 6 in honey samples, respectively. Caffeic and p-coumaric acids were potential floral markers for Capparis spinosa and Trifoliumn honeys, respectively.

Characterization of key aroma compounds in a representative aromatic extracts from citrus and astragalus honeys based on aroma extract dilution analyses

The aroma and aroma-active compounds of astragalus and citrus honeys were determined by GC-MS-olfactometry (GC-MS-O). The honey extracts were obtained by two different extraction techniques including liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) and solid phase extraction (SPE), and compared to determine the more representative odour aromatic honey extract. According to sensory analysis, the aromatic extract (40 g honey with 22 mL water) obtained by LLE was the most similar of honey odour. The amount of aroma compounds of citrus honey (14391.6 µg kg−1) was higher than astragalus honey (4270.1 µg kg−1). Terpenes and acids in citrus honey and esters and aldehydes in astragalus honey were the most dominant aroma compounds. Aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) was used to determine the aroma-active compounds of honey samples. By application of AEDA on the aromatic extracts isolated by LLE, 12 aroma-active compounds in astragalus honey and 23 in citrus honey could be detected within a flavour dilution (FD) factor range of 8–128. On the basis of the FD factor, phenylethyl alcohol in both honeys was the most powerful key compound and was described as the flowery odour.

Fabrication and hemocompatibility assessment of novel polyurethane-based bio-nanofibrous dressing loaded with honey and Carica papaya extract for the management of burn injuries.

Management of burn injury is an onerous clinical task since it requires continuous monitoring and extensive usage of specialized facilities. Despite rapid improvizations and investments in burn management, >30% of victims hospitalized each year face severe morbidity and mortality. Excessive loss of body fluids, accumulation of exudate, and the development of septic shock are reported to be the main reasons for morbidity in burn victims. To assist burn wound management, a novel polyurethane (PU)-based bio-nanofibrous dressing loaded with honey (HN) and Carica papaya (PA) fruit extract was fabricated using a one-step electrospinning technique. The developed dressing material had a mean fiber diameter of 190±19.93 nm with pore sizes of 4–50 µm to support effective infiltration of nutrients and gas exchange. The successful blending of HN- and PA-based active biomolecules in PU was inferred through changes in surface chemistry. The blend subsequently increased the wettability (14%) and surface energy (24%) of the novel dressing. Ultimately, the presence of hydrophilic biomolecules and high porosity enhanced the water absorption ability of the PU-HN-PA nanofiber samples to 761.67% from 285.13% in PU. Furthermore, the ability of the bio-nanofibrous dressing to support specific protein adsorption (45%), delay thrombus formation, and reduce hemolysis demonstrated its nontoxic and compatible nature with the host tissues. In summary, the excellent physicochemical and hemocompatible properties of the developed PU-HN-PA dressing exhibit its potential in reducing the clinical complications associated with the treatment of burn injuries.

In vitro synergistic antioxidant activity of honey-Mentha spicata combination

The beneficial health effects including antioxidant properties of mint (Mentha spicata) and honey have been extensively studied. However, there is no data about the effect of their associated use. In this study the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of individual extracts of mint and honey and their combination were determined. The antioxidant activity was investigated by using reducing power, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2´-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid diammonium salt (ABTS), and chelating power methods. The results showed that individual extracts contained important quantity of phenolics and flavonoids and their combination was found to produce best antioxidant activity. A positive correlation between the phenolic/flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity, especially with free radical scavenging ability and chelating power, was observed. These findings suggest that combined mixture of honey and mint could be used as promising additive foods.

Effects of Mad Honey on Some Biochemical Parameters in Rats.

The aims of this study were to determine grayanotoxin (GTX-III) toxin level in mad honey using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and examine the dynamic changes of certain biochemical parameters in blood serum of rats that consumed mad honey. For the experimental animal study, 20 Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into 5 groups of 4 rats each, with one group being the control group (Group 1) and the others being the experimental groups (Groups 2-5). Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 were, respectively, given mad honey extract at doses of 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4 mg/g body weight/day via oral gavage for 8 days. According to results, the quantity of GTX-III found in the honey sample as 39.949 ± 0.020 μg GTX-III/g honey, and the biochemical analysis of the tested parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, and creatine kinase muscle and brain) showed a significant elevation with increasing concentration of honey. In conclusion, the use of increasing concentrations of Rhododendron honey was seen as a source of enzymatic symptoms.

Organic honey supplementation reverses pesticide-induced genotoxicity by modulating DNA damage response.

Glyphosate (GLY) and organophosphorus insecticides such as chlorpyrifos (CPF) may cause DNA damage and cancer in exposed individuals through mitochondrial dysfunction. Polyphenols ubiquitously present in fruits and vegetables, have been viewed as antioxidant molecules, but also influence mitochondrial homeostasis. Here, honey containing polyphenol compounds was evaluated for its potential protective effect on pesticide-induced genotoxicity. Honey extracts from four floral organic sources were evaluated for their polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, and potential protective effects on pesticide-related mitochondrial destabilization, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species formation, and DNA damage response in human bronchial epithelial and neuronal cells. The protective effect of honey was, then evaluated in a residential population chronically exposed to pesticides. The four honey types showed a different polyphenol profile associated with a different antioxidant power. The pesticide-induced mitochondrial dysfunction parallels ROS formation from mitochondria (mtROS) and consequent DNA damage. Honey extracts efficiently inhibited pesticide-induced mtROS formation, and reduced DNA damage by upregulation of DNA repair through NFR2. Honey supplementation enhanced DNA repair activity in a residential population chronically exposed to pesticides, which resulted in a marked reduction of pesticide-induced DNA lesions. These results provide new insight regarding the effect of honey containing polyphenols on pesticide-induced DNA damage response.

Chrysin, a flavonoid attenuates histological changes of hyperammonemic rats: A dose dependent study

Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is a major component of some traditional medicinal herbs present in honey, propolis and many plant extracts. The study was aimed to illuminate the effect of chrysin in the pathogenesis of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) induced hyperammonemic rat model in a dose dependent manner. Rats were injected with NH4Cl (100mg/kg b.w.) by intraperitonially (i.p) thrice a week for 8 consecutive weeks for the induction of experimental hyperammonemia. Hyperammonemic rats were treated with chrysin by orally at a dose of 25, 50 & 100mg/kg b.w. respectively. Protective effect of chrysin against hyperammonemia was evaluated by performing biochemical estimations and morphopathological investigations of hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of liver, brain and kidney tissues. Supplementation of chrysin reinstated the levels of blood ammonia, plasma urea, uric acid, total bilirubin, creatinine, brain glutamate, glutamine, nitric oxide (NO) and the activities of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, and liver marker enzymes. On the other hand increased level of plasma urea was observed in chrysin treated rats as compared with hyperammonemic rats. Chrysin administration caused distortion of hepatic, brain and kidney architecture as shown by histological examination. Chrysin at a dose (100mg/kg b.w.) showed an utmost decline in the level of all biochemical estimations. Both biochemical and morphological studies clearly revealed that chrysin protects against cell injury induced by ammonia intoxication in a dose-response manner with respect to endogenous antioxidants and hypoammonemic effects.

Anti-diabetic activity of dried extract of Tionspora cordifolia (Guduchi ghana) and honey in streptozotacin induced diabetic rats

Objective: Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook.f. and Thomson) is used abundantly for Madhumeha (~diabetes mellitus) in traditional Ayurvedic medicines. The different dosage forms are mentioned in Ayurvedic classics such as Churna, Kwatha and Ghana. Hence, present study is planned to assess its anti-diabetic activity. Materials and Methods: In this study, aqueous extract of T. cordifolia was prepared by a traditional procedure of Ayurveda and assessed for its anti-diabetic activity. Diabetes was induced in Wistar strain albino rats by injecting streptozotocin in dose 40 mg/kg body weight. Aqueous extract of T. cordifolia Linn in a dose of 42.34 mg/kg was mixed with honey and administered orally. Different biochemical parameters such as blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, blood urea, creatinine, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, total protein, albumin, and globumin were assessed. Results: 24.93% reduction in blood glucose level and 28.96% reduction in glycated hemoglobin were observed in test drug treated group in comparison to diabetic control rats. Conclusion: Mild reduction of blood glucose level was observed in the analysis.

Discoloration and Adsorption of Acaricides from Beeswax

AbstractThe bleaching effect of solid adsorbent material was evaluated on acaricides residues during the recycling of old wax combs process. The effect of parameters such as initial concentration, moisture level, clay dosing, temperature, particle size, agitation time, Freundlich isotherm and kinetic adsorption were investigated and simulated in pilot plant following industry guidelines. The efficiency capacity of sorbent was assayed in optimal conditions on different levels of chlorfenvinphos, tau‐fluvalinate and coumaphos residues from 0.015 to 88.6 mg/kg, identified in 66 samples of commercial beeswaxes analyzed before and after the process of refination. Experimental results indicated that the use of a dough formed by active carbon (Norit SA4 PAH) and bleaching earth (Tonsil Supreme 114 FF) in the proportion (0.04/4.0 wt % beeswax) under bleaching conditions [agitation (250 rpm) for 45 min working at 90°C under atmospheric pression] was very efficient to reduce color (>80%) and amount of chlorfenvinphos (93.4 ± 7.40%) and coumaphos (93.1 ± 3.90%). But, lower affinity was identified in tau‐fluvalinate pyrethroid (average, 35%) with large variations (13.7–73.9%). The Lagergen pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model was appropriate to organophosphorus acaricides sorption with coefficients of correlation R2 = 0.95 for all initial concentrations studied.Practical ApplicationsBeeswax is a complex mixture of paraffinic hydrocarbons, esters of fatty acids and alcohols, diesters, free fatty acids and alcohols produced by the worker bee. An important aspect is the recycling of beeswax after the extraction of honey. At first, its color is white, but after the bees’ manipulation, it changes from yellow to brownish originated from propolis and pollen pigments. If beeswax is dark its value is much lower. Thus, bleaching is one the most important steps in recycled beeswax. Furthermore, in the last ten years, the accumulated acaricides residues used in the fight against Varroa destructor are clearly detected in commercial beeswaxes limiting its use as an authorised food additive in the EU (code E901). The idea of simultaneous bleaching and decontamination process was introduced in this work to recycle beeswax. The results indicated that the adsorption was very effective in a beeswax melting solution with a simple and economical application.

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) honey: volatiles chemical-profiling and unlocking antioxidant and anticorrosion capacity

AbstractHeadspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) and ultrasonic solvent extraction (USE) were used for red clover honey volatiles extraction. The extracts were analysed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Lilac aldehyde isomers dominated in the headspace (individual range from 7.6 % to 21.4 %) followed by phenylacetaldehyde (10.1-31.2 %) and benzaldehyde (7.0-15.7 %). Higher aliphatic alcohols and hydrocarbons were the predominant constituents of the honey extracts. The honey and its extracts exhibited rather weak anti-radical activity (DPPH assay) and total antioxidant activity (FRAP assay). On the other hand, the honey’s inhibitive properties towards the corrosion of AA 2017A alloy in NaCl solution (potentiodynamic polarisation and potentiostatic pulse measurements) revealed the honey to be a very good anodic inhibitor (efficiency up to 76 %) while the honey extracts (USE) showed better inhibition efficacy.

Gelam Honey Attenuates the Oxidative Stress-Induced Inflammatory Pathways in Pancreatic Hamster Cells.

Purpose. Type 2 diabetes consists of progressive hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, which could result from glucose toxicity, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress. In the present study we investigated the effect of Gelam honey and quercetin on the oxidative stress-induced inflammatory pathways and the proinflammatory cytokines. Methods. HIT-T15 cells were cultured and preincubated with the extract of Gelam honey (20, 40, 60, and 80 μg/mL), as well as quercetin (20, 40, 60, and 80 μM), prior to stimulation by 20 and 50 mM glucose. Results. HIT-T15 cells cultured under hyperglycemic condition showed a significant increase in the inflammatory pathways by phosphorylating JNK, IKK-β, and IRS-1 at Ser307 (p < 0.05). There was a significant decrease in the phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with Gelam honey and quercetin reduced the expression of phosphorylated JNK, IKK-β, and IRS-1, thereby significantly reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β (p < 0.05). At the same time there was a significant increase in the phosphorylated Akt showing the protective effects against inflammation and insulin resistance (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our data suggest the potential use of the extract from Gelam honey and quercetin in modulating the inflammation induced insulin signaling pathways.

Inhibitory and Cytotoxic Activities of Chrysin on Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells by Induction of Apoptosis.

Objectives:Chrysin, an active natural bioflavonoid found in honey and many plant extracts, was first known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The fact that antioxidants have several inhibitory effects against different diseases, such as cancer, led to search for food rich in antioxidants. In this study, we investigated the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of chrysin on the cultured human breast cancer cells (MCF-7).Materials and Methods:Cells were cultured in Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium and treated with different chrysin concentrations for three consecutive days. Cell viability was quantitated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The percentage of apoptotic cells was determined by flow cytometry using Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate.Results:The MTT assay showed that chrysin had an antiproliferative effect on MCF-7 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The 50% cell growth inhibition values for chrysin against MCF-7 cells were 19.5 and 9.2 μM after 48 and 72 h, respectively. Chrysin induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells as determined by flow cytometry. Chrysin inhibits the growth of the breast cancer cells by inducing cancer cell apoptosis which may, in part, explain its anticancer activity.Conclusion:This study shows that chrysin could also be considered as a promising chemotherapeutic agent and anticancer activity in treatment of the breast cancer cells in future.SUMMARY Chrysin had an antiproliferative effect on human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) cells in a dose- and time-dependent mannerChrysin induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, as determined by flow cytometryChrysin inhibits the growth of the breast cancer cells by inducing cancer cell apoptosisChrysin may have anticancer activity. Abbreviations used: Human breast cancer cells (MCF-7), 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), normal fibroblast mouse (L929).

Propagation of Influenza Virus in Lymphocytes Determine by Antiviral Effects of Honey, Ginger and Garlic Decoction

Three influenza A virus isolates, one from a human, one from a chicken, and one from a wild bird dropping, were used to infect human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in culture. The influenza strains were H1N, H5/H7-N1/N2 (mixture) and H9N, respectively and were assessed in vitro in human PBMCs in the presence of Phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Viral replication was estimated by visual cytopathic effect (CPE). H1N2 CPE included budding of lymphocytes, fusion of infected cells with neighboring lymphocytes, and syncytial formation. H5/H7- N1/N2 and H9N2 each caused CPE that included bulging of cells with large vacuoles. The supernatant of infected lymphocyte culture was used to infect MDCK cell lines. Influenza viral RNA was detected in extracts of MDCK cell lines and from lymphocytes infected with each of the three virus strains as judged by RT-PCR, confirming that all three isolates were able to replicate in human lymphocytes in vitro. The antiviral activity of a mixture of honey, ginger, and garlic (HGG) extracts, an over the counter drug commonly used in Pakistan to treat patients with influenza virus, was compared to the antiviral drug amantadine for its ability to decrease replication of the H1N2 strain in human PBMCs in vitro. HGG significantly inhibited H1N2 virus growth as judged by CPE, haemagglutination assays, and qRT-PCR. Interestingly, HGG also appeared to promote proliferation of human lymphocytes. These finding suggest that a mixture of crude extracts from honey, ginger, and garlic may be clinically useful against influenza virus.

Determination of the antibacterial effect of some natural products against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria

Objective This study evaluates the antibacterial activity of five natural substances (hot water extract of cinnamon sticks, peppermint, and lemon leaves, Egyptian local packed honey, and Yemeni Sidr honey) against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Materials and methods The well diffusion method was first used to evaluate the antibacterial effect of each of these tested natural products on the tested organisms. The minimal inhibitory concentration and the minimal bactericidal concentration were detected for the effective substances. The highly effective antimicrobial ones were chosen to investigate their effect on the tested organisms by graphing the bacterial growth curve of each bacterium before and after treatment. Results and conclusion The findings indicated lower antibacterial effect of the three plant extracts compared with both bee honey samples. Yemeni Sidr honey, local honey, and cinnamon extract were the more potent antibacterial agents, respectively. Minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration of these three natural substances ranged between 10 and 80% for the tested organisms. Bacterial growth curve indicated that honey had powerful antimicrobial activity that did not allow bacteria to grow, especially after treatment with Yemeni Sidr honey. The study recommends that herbal extracts and honeys could potentially be used as therapeutic agents against bacterial infection particularly on the tested microorganisms.

Effect of topical mixture of honey, royal jelly and olive oil-propolis extract on skin wound healing in diabetic rats

Abstract Background Diabetic wound is a common complication of diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of topical application of mixture of honey, royal jelly and olive oil-propolis extract (Nika cream) on cutaneous wound healing in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods In this interventional study, we prepared a new composition ointment entitled Nika cream. 42 Wistar male rats were divided randomly in normal and diabetic groups. Next, diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg kg−1 body weight). The diabetic rats with marked hyperglycemia (serum glucose more than 200 mg/dl) were selected for the study. After anesthesia, full thickness skin of upper dorsal part of the rats was removed in 2 cm × 2 cm area. 24 h after the operation, wound in each animal was treated daily with Nika cream and phenytoin 1% in normal and diabetic groups. Control group received no treatment. Wound surface area was measured until 24th postoperative day. The time required for the completion of healing was also recorded. Results We demonstrated that Nika cream had distinct and non-exchangeable functions during the wound healing process. The progress of wound healing in diabetic animals was slower than in normal animals, and also healing effect of Nika cream compared with control and normal phenytoin 1% and diabetic test groups was significant (P Conclusion The results showed that Nika cream accelerate the wound healing in normal and diabetic subjects.

Simultaneous determination of twenty-five polyphenols in multifloral and cactus honeys using solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection

Simple and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detection method has been proposed for simultaneous separation and determination of 25 polyphenol compounds, including 10 phenolic acids, nine flavonoids, and six other phenols in 17 varieties of multifloral and cactus honey of Yemen. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were used as solid-phase adsorbent for extraction of the polyphenols from honey samples. The total amount of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and other phenols from all 17 analyzed honeys were found in the range of 328–3448, 122–5482, and 2.4–677.6 µg/100 g of honey, respectively. The 4-hydroxybenzoic acid was found in major quantity (10.642 mg/100 g honey) among all analyzed honeys, while chrysin (5.029 mg/100 g honey) was found to be the main detected flavonoid and cinnamic acid the main other phenolic compound (2.330 mg/100 g honey). Among 25 analyzed compounds, 24 were detected (except luteolin) and determined quantitatively in honey samples. The regeneration of solid-phase adsorbent and recovery results showed potential usefulness of the proposed method for the routine analysis of polyphenols in honey extracts.

벌꿀과 벌집채꿀의 페놀성분 및 항산화 효과 비교

본 연구에서는 야생화로부터 채밀한 제주 지역 벌꿀 및 벌집채꿀의 페놀성분 분석과 항산화 활성 비교평가를 시행하였다. 총 폴리페놀 및 플라보노이드 함량 측정 결과 물을 용매로 사용한 벌집채꿀에서 가장 높은 함량을 나타냈다. 또한 벌꿀 및 벌집채꿀 모두 농도 의존적으로 항산화 활성이 증가하는 양상을 보였으며, 이를 EC₅₀ 및 EC_0.5 값으로 환산한 결과 벌집채꿀이 벌꿀에 비해 통계적으로 유의하게 높은 항산화 활성을 나타내었다. 상기의 결과를 종합하여 봤을 때 총 폴리페놀 및 플라보노이드 함량과 항산화 활성간의 높은 연관성이 있다는 것을 추측 해볼 수 있었고 이를 상관관계를 통해 분석한 결과, 총 페놀 및 플라보노이드 성분의 함량과 항산화 활성이 통계적으로 유의한 상관관계를 나타냄을 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 결과들은 잠재적 천연식품소재로의 벌집채꿀의 가능성을 시사하며 향후 이에 대한 체계적인 연구가 필요하다 사료된다. Although many studies have described the physiological effects of bee products, such as honey, propolis, pollen, and royal jelly, the health benefits of honeycomb remain incompletely characterized. We performed a comparative study of the antioxidant properties of honey and honeycomb extracts using two different solvents (water and 95% ethanol). The results showed that the total phenolic and flavonoid content of the honeycomb extract was higher than that of the honey extract. They also demonstrated that water was more effective than ethanol in extracting total phenols. The in vitro antioxidant properties of the water honeycomb extract were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO^&#x2022;) radical scavenging assays and ferrous ion chelating and reducing power assays. The antioxidant activity of the honeycomb extract exhibited was higher than that of the honey extract. The 50% effective concentrations (EC₅₀) of the honeycomb extract were 7.3&#xB1;0.26 mg/ml for scavenging DPPH radicals, 6.1&#xB1;0.22 mg/ml for scavenging NO^&#x2022; radicals, 6.9&#xB1;0.44 mg/ml for chelating ferrous ions, and 8.2&#xB1;0.11 mg/ml for reducing power. A correlation analysis revealed that the total phenolics and flavonoids of the honeycomb extract were the major contributors to the radical scavenging activity, ferrous ion chelating, and reducing power. The honeycomb extract was effective in protecting biological systems against various oxidative stresses in vitro. This is the first report on the antioxidant properties of honeycomb.

Mechanism of Chemoprevention against Colon Cancer Cells Using Combined Gelam Honey and Ginger Extract via mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin Pathways.

The PI3K-Akt-mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin and apoptosis signaling pathways have been shown to be involved in genesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to elucidate whether combination of Gelam honey and ginger might have chemopreventive properties in HT29 colon cancer cells by modulating the mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin and apoptosis signaling pathways. Treatment with Gelam honey and ginger reduced the viability of the HT29 cells dose dependently with IC50 values of 88 mg/ml and 2.15 mg/ml respectively, their while the combined treatment of 2 mg/ml of ginger with 31 mg/ml of Gelam honey inhibited growth of most HT29 cells. Gelam honey, ginger and combination induced apoptosis in a dose dependent manner with the combined treatment exhibiting the highest apoptosis rate. The combined treatment downregulated the gene expressions of Akt, mTOR, Raptor, Rictor, β-catenin, Gsk3β, Tcf4 and cyclin D1 while cytochrome C and caspase 3 genes were shown to be upregulated. In conclusion, the combination of Gelam honey and ginger may serve as a potential therapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer through inhibiton of mTOR, Wnt/β catenin signaling pathways and induction of apoptosis pathway.

Chrysin attenuates cardiomyocyte apoptosis and loss of intermediate filaments in a mouse model of mitoxantrone cardiotoxicity.

Chrysin (CHR) is a natural flavonoid and is present in high concentration in honey, propolis and many plant extracts. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of CHR to reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis and loss of intermediate filaments in a mouse model of mitoxantrone cardiotoxicity. Morphology of the cardiomyocytes was determined by optic and transmission electron microscopy and biochemistry methods. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 were assessed by immunofluorecence. Tunel assay was used to assess apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. In addition, the distribution of desmin protein was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Our results show that MTX treatment significantly increased serum levels of creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), indicator of cardiac injury and withdrawn under CHR protection. Expression levels of Bcl-2 decreased, while those of Bax and caspase-3 increased following MTX treatment. 50 mg/kg of daily CHR intake reduced Bax and caspase-3 immunopositivity and restored Bcl-2 levels to a value comparable to the control. TUNEL (+) cardiomyocyte nuclei of MTX group showed typical signs of apoptosis which almost completely disappeared in response to 50 mg/kg CHR treatment. In parallel, an irregular distribution and a weak expression of desmin is associated with MTX induced cardiotoxic effects which was also restored by CHR treatment. In conclusion chrysin inhibits MTX-triggered cardiomyocyte apoptosis via multiple pathways, including decrease of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 expression along with preservation of the desmin disarray.

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of phenolic constituents in honey from various floral sources using multiwalled carbon nanotubes as extraction sorbents.

An ultra high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry method has been developed for the simultaneous separation, identification and determination of 22 phenolic constituents in honey from various floral sources from Yemen. Solid-phase extraction was used for extraction of the target phenolic constituents from honey samples, while multiwalled carbon nanotubes were used as solid-phase adsorbent. The chromatographic separation of all phenolic constituents was performed on a BEH C18 column using a linear gradient elution with a binary mobile phase mixture of aqueous 0.1% formic acid and methanol. The quantitation was carried out in selected ion reaction monitoring acquisition mode. The total amount of phenolic acids, flavonoids and other phenols in each analyzed honey was found in the range of 338-3312, 122-5482 and 2.4-1342 μg/100 g of honey, respectively. 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid was found to be the major phenolic acid. The main detected flavonoid was chrysin, while cinnamic acid was found to be the major other phenol compound. The regeneration of solid phase adsorbent to be reused and recovery results confirm that the proposed method could be potentially used for the routine analysis of phenolic constituents in honey extract.