Abstract: Apitherapy is the use of substances from honeybees (eg, honey, propolis, royal jelly, or even venom), to relieve various medical conditions. One type of apitherapy is live bee acupuncture, which involves applying the stinging bee directly to the relevant sites according to the specific disease. This practice is often performed in private health care centers or by nonmedical practitioners. Although some benefits of apitherapy have been reported, published evidence of its effectiveness and safety is limited, scarce, and heterogeneous [1,2]. Most hypersensitivity reactions to hymenoptera venoms are due to accidental insect stings. Only a few cases of allergic reactions after acupuncture have been reported, and most are from areas where traditional medicine is widely used, such as Korea [1,2]. In sensitized persons, venom compounds can act as allergens, causing the release of mast-cell mediators and a spectrum of allergic reactions that can range from mild, local swelling to severe systemic reactions, anaphylactic shock, or even death [3]. Furthermore, repeated exposure to the allergen was found to carry a greater risk of severe allergic reactions than in the general population [4]. Various adverse reactions have been reported for apitherapy [2,5]. We report the case of a 55-year-old woman who had been attending apitherapy sessions every 4 weeks for 2 years with good tolerance. She decided to receive apitherapy to improve muscular contractures and stress. She had no clinical record of any other diseases (eg, asthma, heart disease), other risk factors, previous reactions of any kind with hymenoptera, or atopy. During an apitherapy session, she developed wheezing, dyspnea, and sudden loss of consciousness immediately after a live bee sting. An ambulance was called, although it took 30 minutes to arrive. The apitherapy clinic personnel administered methylprednisolone. No adrenaline was available. When the ambulance arrived, the patient’s systolic pressure had dropped to 42 mmHg and her heart rate had increased to 110 bpm. Oxygen saturation was not reported. Treatment was administered immediately and consisted of a double dose of adrenaline (0.5 mg each), saline infusion, intravenous corticosteroids, and antihistamines. During transfer to our hospital, the patient’s blood pressure and heart rate stabilized, although her Glasgow Coma Scale score was 6; therefore, she was intubated. At admission, a computed tomography scan was compatible with watershed stroke, while the results of an EKG, chest x-ray, and basic blood analyses were normal. Unfortunately, tryptase was not determined during the acute episode. Basal serum tryptase was normal. During admission, in vitro tests were performed 3 days after the reaction, as soon as our allergy department was consulted (Table). In vivo tests could not be performed because the patient had received antihistamine and her clinical situation was problematic. The patient died some weeks later of multiorgan failure. Persistent hypotension during severe anaphylaxis had caused a massive watershed stroke and permanent coma with multiorgan impairment. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of death by bee venom apitherapy due to complications of severe anaphylaxis in a confirmed sensitized patient who was previously tolerant. Previous tolerance to bee stings does not prevent hypersensitivity reaction; however, repeated exposure favors a higher risk of sensitization. Our data enable us to conclude that measures to identify sensitized patients at risk should be implemented before each apitherapy sting. Patients should be fully informed of the dangers of apitherapy before undergoing it. Apitherapy practitioners should be trained in managing severe reactions and should be able to ensure they perform their techniques in a safe environment, with adequate facilities for management of anaphylaxis and rapid access to an intensive care unit in order to prevent suboptimal management, such as delays in treatment (the patient waited 30 minutes before receiving intramuscular adrenaline). However, these measures may not be possible. Therefore, the risks of undergoing apitherapy may exceed the presumed benefits, leading us to conclude that this practice is both unsafe and unadvisable.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Apitherapy is the medical use of honey bee products (honey, propolis, royal jelly, bee wax, and bee venom) to relieve human ailments, propolis in particularly, rich in essential oils such as flavonoid. Propolis is derived from tree buds and plants. It is considered as one of the most well-documented products from the honeybee and has always played an important role in traditional folk medicine. Another renowned plant is Aloe vera appertaining to the Liliaceae family. Its mucilaginous gel has been extensively used in many cultures for its apparent effectiveness in treating wounds, burns, itchiness and hair loss.AIM: The aim was to assess the efficacy of a mixture in an ointment form of propolis (50%) and aloe vera (3%), in the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis.METHODS: In this double-blind control study, 2248 patients with both mild to moderate cases of psoriasis were evaluated from 2012 to 2015.RESULTS: In Group 1 the overall response at the end of 12 weeks was as follows: Cleared in 64.4% (excellent response), good response in 22.2%, and weak response in 5.6% and no response in 7.7%. In Group 2 (placebo group) no significant improvement was observed after 12 weeks of treatment. Also, histology also demonstrated a marked reduction in hyperkeratosis and acanthosis.CONCLUSION: In comparison with Group 2 (placebo group) patients in Group 1, treated with a mixture of propolis (50%) and aloe vera (3%), in the form of an ointment have shown noteworthy improvement thus substantiating the therapeutic value of propolis and aloe vera in the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis.

Abstract: Background: The medicinal use of products made by bees is called apitherapy. Apitherapy has become popular as an alternative treatment in recent years. Pharmaceutical properties of bee products depend on biological activities such as antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Objective: This study was undertaken to comparatively evaluate the bee products for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli O157: H7 and Salmonella Enteritidis. Methods: The agar well diffusion method was used for the determination of antibacterial effect of bee products. The samples were evaluated for antioxidant capacity by ELISA using Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) assay kit. Results: All tested honey samples exhibited a measurable antibacterial activity against all of the tested bacteria with different values. Also, two of the propolis extract showed inhibitory effect only against L. monocytogenes. Four pollen extracts inhibited the growth of S. aureus and L. monocytogenes with different values. The propolis extracts showed the highest antioxidant capacity. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the bee product of Turkey origin seems to be promising to be used for food preservation and prevention of human health against diseases and disorders. . [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2018;32(2):00-00] Key words: Antibacterial activity, antioxidant property, bee products

Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study identified and summarized all Cochrane systematic reviews (SRs) on the effects of ten integrative practices that were recently added to the Brazilian public healthcare system (SUS). DESIGN AND SETTING: Review of systematic reviews, conducted in the Discipline of Evidence-Based Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM), Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (Unifesp). METHODS: Review of Cochrane SRs on the following interventions were identified, summarized and critically assessed: apitherapy, aromatherapy, bioenergetics, family constellation, flower therapy, chromotherapy, geotherapy, hypnotherapy, hand imposition or ozone therapy. RESULTS: We included a total of 16 SRs: 4 on apitherapy, 4 on aromatherapy, 6 on hypnotherapy and 2 on ozone therapy. No Cochrane SR was found regarding bioenergetics, family constellation, chromotherapy, clay therapy, flower therapy or hand imposition. The only high-quality evidence was in relation to the potential benefit of apitherapy, specifically regarding some benefits from honey dressings for partial healing of burn wounds, for reduction of coughing among children with acute coughs and for preventing allergic reactions to insect stings. CONCLUSION: Except for some specific uses of apitherapy (honey for burn wounds and for acute coughs and bee venom for allergic reactions to insect stings), the use of ten integrative practices that have recently been incorporated into SUS does not seem to be supported by evidence from Cochrane SRs.

Abstract: Aim: To identify the various recommendations in various books on apitherapy and compare these to other methods from alternative and complementary medicine in order to determine whether apitherapy is the treatment of choice for patients with primary dysmenorrhoea. Methods: Books were identified and analysed and recommendations were summarised. Afterwards, a literature search was performed regarding the evidence of bee products and dysmenorrhoea. Then, the recommendations from alternative and complementary medicines were compared to the results of the first analysis. Results: In total, 27 out of 70 books on apitherapy recommended bee products for primary dysmenorrhoea. In these 27 books, 15 different recommendations were found. However, only the recommendations of one author matched the current evidence which shows that royal jelly and honey are able to improve primary dysmenorrhoea. Comparison to other methods from alternative and complementary medicine showed that evidence of some methods is much better than the evidence for apitherapy, meaning that apitherapy may not be considered the treatment of choice. Conclusion: Treatment recommendations of apitherapy are contradictory, inconsistent and mostly not evidence-based. If the Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations, really wants to promote scientifically sound information, they should consider including scientists on the board of the committee on apitherapy who do not promote unproven methods.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Apitherapy is the medical use of honey bee products, "honey, propolis, royal jelly, bee wax, and bee venom to relieve human ailments. Propolis is one of the most well-documented products derived from the honeybee and has always played an important role in traditional folk medicine.AIM: The aim was to justify the consideration of Aloe Vera as an effective remedy for the treatment of psoriasis.METHODS: The study follows (857) patients (354 females, 503 males) with a mean age range from (9 - 62) years, affected with moderate to severe psoriasis in palms and foot soles treated by a combination mixture of propolis and Aloe in the form of an ointment (Aloreed) and Beauty reed cream. The treatment duration was for 12 weeks. Results were evaluated by using clinical, histological and statistical parameters.RESULTS: After the 12 - week treatment, we observed an 86% overall response rate from which 62% showed excellent results and 24% showed good results, therefore proving the efficiency in the use of the mixture of propolis 50% and aloe vera 3% as topically applied ointment in the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasisCONCLUSION: Patients who have palmoplantar psoriasis, who were treated with a topically applied mixture of propolis (50%) and aloe vera (3%), have shown noteworthy improvement thus proving the efficiency of propolis and aloe vera in the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis.

Abstract: Aim: To identify the various recommendations in various books on apitherapy and compare these to other methods from alternative and complementary medicine in order to determine whether apitherapy is the treatment of choice for patients with primary dysmenorrhoea. Methods: Books were identified and analysed and recommendations were summarised. Afterwards, a literature search was performed regarding the evidence of bee products and dysmenorrhoea. Then, the recommendations from alternative and complementary medicines were compared to the results of the first analysis. Results: In total, 27 out of 70 books on apitherapy recommended bee products for primary dysmenorrhoea. In these 27 books, 15 different recommendations were found. However, only the recommendations of one author matched the current evidence which shows that royal jelly and honey are able to improve primary dysmenorrhoea. Comparison to other methods from alternative and complementary medicine showed that evidence of some methods is much better than the evidence for apitherapy, meaning that apitherapy may not be considered the treatment of choice. Conclusion: Treatment recommendations of apitherapy are contradictory, inconsistent and mostly not evidence-based. If the Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations, really wants to promote scientifically sound information, they should consider including scientists on the board of the committee on apitherapy who do not promote unproven methods.

Abstract: Many works have emphasized that natural healthy agents have payed attentions nowadays as the mostly used synthetic therapeutics might have some undesirable actions. One can think that some natural nutrients would be better and safer than synthetic ones. Some of these matters, such as natural agents, often show antioxidant effects. These components into natural agents may be helpful to health the of consumers and also to the stabilization of nutrients.

Abstract: Introduction: Propolis is an important characteristic because it contains bioactive substances such as total phenolics, total flavones, flavonols, total flavanones and dihydroflavonols Cancer is a large group of disorders characterized by uncontrolled cellular proliferation It is one of the most devastating diseases all over the world Recently, there is an increased interest in the clinical use of natural products as a safe, efficient, and economic therapeutic alternative Honey bee products therapy, apitherapy, was used to control various diseases including cancer Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to screen potential cytotoxic effects of propolis sample against different cancer types Materials and Methods: Samples of propolis were collected from Bulgaria, Libya and Egypt and tested by MTT cell-based assay against liver (HEP-G2), breast (MCF-7) and colorectal (Caco-2) cancer cell lines Results: The results showed that Libyan propolis proved to be most active among all tested propolis samples HEP-G2 (8499%), MCF-7 (8357%) and Caco-2 (7963%) Conclusion: The results showed that propolis it is interesting agents that have valuable activities against HEP-G2, Caco-2 and MCF-7 with propolis being an effective agent that might be incorporated in cancer remedy regimens after further studies