Phytochemical compound and non-cytotoxicity effect of sting bee and stingless bee honey against normal human gingival cell lines

Objective: Both honeybees (Apis spp.) and stingless bees (Trigona spp.) produce honeys which normally taken orally, have high nutritional and therapeutics value. Until recently, phytochemical comparison of both honey is still scarce and elucidating cytotoxicity effects on human gingival fibroblast cells (HGF) in oral cavity is of interest. Materials and Methods: Kelulut honey (KH), acquired from the stingless bees and acacia honey (AH) from the sting bees honey samples were underwent GC-MS analysis to ascertain their composition. HGF were exposed to various concentrations of KH and AH from the lowest 0.015% to the highest 5% by MTT assay for 24h, 48h and 72h. Results: GC-MS analysis determined various beneficial compounds such as flavonoids, furans, pyrans, levoglucosan and hydroxymethylfurfural from both of honey samples. MTT assay showed that the HGF cells demonstrated good viability up to percentages (v/v) as high as almost 2% in both honeys. The IC50 values for both honey for all time frames fall at above 2%. Conclusion: Both honey showed good survivability of HGF cells up to 2% of concentration. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 21(1) 2022 Page : 158-164

Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Acacia and Citrus Honeys on Cholesterol Induced Sprague Dawley Rats

During the last decade, scientific investigations have put more focus on diet based therapies to prevent numerous maladies especially hypercholesterolemia and related disorders. Current project was designed to discover the nutraceutical worth of natural unifloral honeys from Acacia nilotica (Desi Kikar) and Citrus limetta (Mosambi) against hypercholesterolemia. Initially both honey varieties were analyzed for TPC and TFC, followed by DPPH and FRAP assays. Afterwards, honey drinks were prepared using different concentrations of Acacia and Citrus honeys (10:20:30 g/250 mL water) and were tested in experimental rat model. Initially the rats were provided with high cholesterol diet (2%) to induce hypercholesterolemia, which were then provided with honey drinks for 8 weeks. These were monitored regularly for feed and water intake and weekly for body weight gain. The blood samples for total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglyceride levels as well as safety assessment tests were analyzed at the intervals of 0, 28, and 56 days, which showed that Acacia honey was better in terms of antioxidant potential (DPPH, FRAP, and TPC) than the Citrus honey. Feed and drink intakes along with body weight gain showed significant effect among all the experimental groups. Substantial reduction in cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides was observed in G3 (213.82±3.36 to 183.95±3.02 mg/dL), (150.05±2.30 to 125.44±3.32 mg/dL) and (163.24±4.87 to 133.64±4.75 mg/dL), respectively, from 0 to 56th day. Liver and kidney functioning values decreased within the normal range. Owing to strong antioxidant potential, Acacia honey was proved to be more effective in controlling hypercholesterolemia than the Citrus honey.

Physico-chemical properties, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity of five varieties of honey from Saudi Arabia

Wild honey is believed to have plentiful nutritional and health benefits. Numerous studies dealing with the characteristics and biological activities of honey have proved its biological activities. However, little is known about Saudi wild honey. In the current study, the physico-chemical properties, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of five varieties of wild honey collected from different locations in Saudi Arabia were examined. Results showed that, the physico-chemical characteristics of all samples were in compliance with international standards. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of sugar (glucose, fructose and sucrose) was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The analysis exhibited that fructose is the major sugar type in all examined wild honeys, which was found in highest concentration in flowers honey (46 g/100 g), whereas, the lowest fructose concentration was found in Ziziphus honey (36 g/100 g). All monofloral honey showed significant antioxidant activity. Alfalfa honey recorded the highest antioxidant activity, followed by Ziziphus honey, respectively. However, Tamarisk honey recorded the lowest antioxidant activity among honey samples. Honey's antibacterial activity against five microorganisms displayed differing degrees of inhibition. The overall findings indicated that no antifungal activity was seen against Candida albicans. The antibacterial examination of honey samples revealed non-significant activity against all tested bacteria, except with Staphylococcus aureus ATCC BAA 1026, where the Acacia honey exhibited significant activity against this bacterium (p < 0.05), with a mean of inhibition zone of 12.0+0.0 mm and a minimum inhibitory concentration of 12.5%. The results of the other types of honey were statistically non-significant.

In Vivo Toxicity Evaluation of Sugar Adulterated Heterotrigona itama Honey Using Zebrafish Model

Honey is prone to be adulterated through mixing with sugars, cheap and low-quality honey, and other adulterants. Consumption of adulterated honey may cause several health issues such as weight gain, diabetes, and liver and kidney dysfunction. Therefore, studying the impact of consumption of adulterated honey on consumers is critical since there is a lack of study in this field. Hence, the aims of this paper were: (1) to determine the lethal concentration (LC50) of adulterated honey using zebrafish embryo, (2) to elucidate toxicology of selected adulterated honey based on lethal dose (LD50) using adult zebrafish, (3) to determine the effects of adulterated honey on histological changes of zebrafish, and (4) to screen the metabolites profile of adulterated honey by using zebrafish blood serum. The LC50 of Heterotrigona itama honey (acacia honey) and its sugar adulterants (light corn sugar, cane sugar, inverted sugar, and palm sugar in the proportion of 1–3% (w/w) from the total volume) was determined by the toxicological assessment of honey samples on zebrafish embryos (different exposure concentrations in 24, 48, 72, and 96 h postfertilization (hpf)). Pure H. itama honey represents the LC50 of 34.40 ± 1.84 (mg/mL) at 96 hpf, while the inverted sugar represents the lowest LC50 (5.03 ± 0.92 mg/mL) among sugar adulterants. The highest concentration (3%) of sugar adulterants were used to study the toxicology of adulterated honey using adult zebrafish in terms of acute, prolong-acute, and sub-acute tests. The results of the LD50 from the sub-acute toxicity test of pure H. itama honey was 2.33 ± 0.24 (mg/mL). The histological studies of internal organs showed a lesion in the liver, kidney, and spleen of adulterated treated-honey groups compared to the control group. Furthermore, the LC-MS/MS results revealed three endogenous metabolites in both the pure and adulterated honey treated groups, as follows: (1) S-Cysteinosuccinic acid, (2) 2,3-Diphosphoglyceric acid, and (3) Cysteinyl-Tyrosine. The results of this study demonstrated that adulterated honey caused mortality, which contributes to higher toxicity, and also suggested that the zebrafish toxicity test could be a standard method for assessing the potential toxicity of other hazardous food additives. The information gained from this research will permit an evaluation of the potential risk associated with the consumption of adulterated compared to pure honey.

Screening of the Honey Aroma as a Potential Essence for the Aromachology

The aim of the study was to determine the aroma profiles of four kinds of Slovak honey (sunflower, honeydew, acacia, and linden) by a qualitative and quantitative screening of their volatile compounds and by gas chromatography for the potential use in the aromachology and the business sphere. The results showed that several unique volatiles were identified in one kind of honey, while they were not identified in the remaining ones. The acacia honey had the unique volatile linalool oxide (1.13–3.9%); linden honey had the unique volatiles nerol oxide (0.6–1.6%), ethyl esters (0.41–8.78%), lilac aldehyde D (6.6%), and acetophenone (0.37%). The honeydew honey had the unique volatiles santene (0.28%) and cyclofenchene (0.59–1.39%), whereas 2-bornene (0.43–0.81%) was typical for sunflower honey. While linden honey was characterized by fruity ethyl esters, honeydew honey had more monoterpenoid compounds. In the principal component analysis model, the four kinds of honey could not be differentiated by aroma volatiles. However, it was possible to classify the linden and sunflower honey using the LDA. In conclusion, the current study provided experimental evidence that the marker compounds from different kinds of honey might be promising candidates for production of inhaling aromas.

Effects of Acacia Honey Drink after Exercise-Induced Dehydration on Selected Physiological Parameters and Subsequent Running Performance

This study examined the effect of honey supplementation on exercise performance and biochemical markers in comparison to plain water and sports drink in the heat. Ten recreational athletes (Age: 22.2 ± 2.0 years, weight: 65.7 ± 5.3 kg; height: 170.4 ± 3.5 cm; VO2max: 51.5 ± 3.7 mL.kg−1.min−1) participated in this study. Participants ran at 70% of their VO2max for 1 h in a pre-load phase (Run-1), followed by a rehydration phase for 2 h and then a 20 min self-paced time trial (Run-2). After Run-1, participants drank either Acacia honey, sports drink or plain water with an amount equivalent to 150% of body weight loss. Subsequently, the participants performed the 20 min self-paced time trial. Acacia honey elicited an improved running time trial performance with a significantly (p<0.05) longer distance ran compared to plain water trial, but it was not different from the sports drink trial. In addition, there was no significant difference in running performance between sports drink and plain water trials. Plasma glucose, insulin and free fatty acids were significantly (p<0.05) higher in H and sports drink compared to the W trial during the rehydration phase. There were no significant differences in body weight changes, oxygen uptake, heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, tympanic temperature, plasma volume changes, plasma cortisol, urine osmolality, volume, and specific gravity among the three trials. Thus, Acacia honey can be recommended to be used as a rehydration drink for individuals who train and compete in the heat.

Characteristics of Inoculated Multi-Stage Apple Fermentation Over Spontaneous Fermentation for the Production of Traditional Functional Beverage Jiaosu: Antioxidant, Antibacterial Activities and Metabolic Changes

The characteristics of fermented apple juice ‘Jiaosu’ as a traditional folk beverage were determined. Sequential alcoholic, acetic and malolactic fermentation was mediated either by intrinsic or inoculated microbiota over six months at room temperature under static conditions. The fermentation mixture was composed of fruits of Malus pumila Mill., var. Fuji (Rosaceae) and fruit of Citrus limon Burm. f., var. Eureka (Rutaceae), acacia honey of Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Fabaceae) and spring water at a weight ratio of 3:1:10. Product anti-oxidative features, antimicrobial capacities and the metabolic byproducts were determined at the end of fermentation. Our results showed an elevation of antioxidant activity, good antimicrobial ability and enrichment of bioactive compounds in the directed fermentation inoculated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Acetobacter pasteurianus and a mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus paracasei compared to the spontaneous fermentation. Prebiotic fermentation tended to preserve and even improve the antioxidant capacity throughout the fermentation process and generated valuable substances. Though it may reduce the amounts of some other bioactive compounds, the final product quality of directed fermentation was reliable. This study provides valuable information for understanding tradition functional beverages based on fermented fruits.

Authenticity of Aloe vera and Acacia Honey on Wound and their Comparative Wound Healing Efficiency on Lacerated Wound in Rabbit

Reseаrсh study wаs соnduсted tо аnаlyze the effeсts оf Асасiа hоney аnd Аlоe verа gel оn lасerаted wоund induсed in rаbbits. Fоr this рurроse, а tоtаl оf 30 heаlthy mаle аdult rаbbits were seleсted аnd divided intо 3 grоuрs (А, B аnd С). Surgiсаl wоunds were induсed in аll rаbbits with the helр оf shаrр blunt sсissоr аnd eасh rаbbit frоm аll grоuрs wаs рre-mediсаted by аdministering аtrорine sulрhаte @0.035mg/kg bоdy weight thrоugh s/с rоute hаlf аn hоur рriоr tо surgiсаl interventiоn. Аnimаls were аnesthetized by tоtаl раrenterаl (intrаmusсulаr) аnesthesiа using а mixture оf ketаmine (35mg/kg) аnd xylаzine (5mg/kg). Rаbbits оf grоuр А were treаted with Асасiа hоney, аррlied twiсe dаily, grоuр B rаbbits were treаted with Аlоe verа gel tорiсаlly twiсe dаily while grоuр С served аs соntrоl аnd treаted with stаndаrd treаtment рyоdine. Wоunds were рrорerly соvered with sterile bаndаges tо reduсed mаximum infeсtiоns аnd the effiсасy оf these treаtments wаs evаluаted in terms оf their effeсts оn heаling time, wоund соntrасtiоn, рeriоd оf eрithelizаtiоn, tensile strength, histораthоlоgy аnd wоund index. Wоund соntrасtiоn rаte wаs higher in bоth grоuрs (А аnd B) аs соmраred tо the grоuр С (Соntrоl grоuр) аnd inсreаsed wоund соntrасtiоn were оbserved оn dаy 10 аnd wаs соmрleted оn 20 dаys. In саse оf eрithelizаtiоn, deсreаsed рeriоd оf eрithelizаtiоn wаs оbserved in grоuр А аnd B аs соmраred tо the С grоuр (соntrоl grоuр). Heаling time wаs lоwer аnd stаtistiсаlly signifiсаnt аs соmраred tо the соntrоl grоuр (grоuр С). Grоuр B wаs signifiсаnt аs соmраred tо the grоuр С. Wоund index vаlues were reduсed in bоth grоuрs А аnd B аnd grоuр С wаs higher wоund index vаlues оn dаy 15 аnd vаlue wаs 1.78 аs соmраred tо the оther treаtments grоuрs. The vаlues оf grоuр А аnd B wаs nоn signifiсаnt аt dаys 20 аs соmраred tо the соntrоl grоuр. Grоuр С wаs higher рeriоd оf eрithelizаtiоn аs соmраred tо the оther twо grоuрs А аnd B.