Background. There are several health benefits that honeybee products such as honey, propolis, and royal jelly claim toward various types of diseases in addition to being food. Scope and Approach. In this paper, the effects of honey, propolis, and royal jelly on different metabolic diseases, cancers, and other diseases have been reviewed. The modes of actions of these products have also been illustrated for purposes of better understanding. Key Findings and Conclusions. An overview of honey, propolis, and royal jelly and their biological potentials was highlighted. The potential health benefits of honey, such as microbial inhibition, wound healing, and its effects on other diseases, are described. Propolis has been reported to have various health benefits related to gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, and gynecological, oral, and dermatological problems. Royal jelly is well known for its protective effects on reproductive health, neurodegenerative disorders, wound healing, and aging. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms of action of honey, propolis, and royal jelly on the abovementioned diseases and activities have not been not fully elucidated, and further research is warranted to explain their exact contributions.

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Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly: A Comprehensive Review of Their Biological Actions and Health Benefits.

Propolis of stingless bees: A phytochemist's guide through the jungle of tropical biodiversity.

Propolis is a natural brownish resinous substance collected by honeybees (Apis mellifera), with a documented bioactivity against many microorganisms. In this study, the activity of propolis was investigated using some strains of Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Lactobacillus plantarum, yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Debaryomyces hansenii) and Fusarium oxysporum. Two approaches were used (a modified microdilution protocol and viable count), and the microorganisms were inoculated at two levels (low or high inoculum). The antimicrobial effect of propolis relies upon several factors, like the kind of microorganisms (for example S. cerevisiae was more resistant than D. hansenii, while Lactobacillus plantarum was never affected), the cell concentration (at high inoculum higher amounts of propolis were required for an antimicrobial action), and the mode of action (a delay of growth rather than a complete inhibition). The results of this paper point out, for the first time, the antimicrobial activity of propolis against some spoilers, with a focus on the possible effect; thus, they could be the background to designing an effective tool to prolong the shelf life of foods.

Antifungal and Antibacterial Effect of Propolis: A Comparative Hit for Food-Borne Pseudomonas, Enterobacteriaceae and Fungi

The ethanolic extract of Melipona beecheii Bennett 1831, propolis from Yucatan Mexico was evaluated in vitro for the determination of its phenolic compound content, antioxidant capacity and antifungal activity. The results were compared against those of the ethanolic extract of Apis mellifera propolis. The total phenolic content, flavonoid content and flavanones-dihydroflavonols content were assessed by colorimetric methods. The antifungal activity was assessed in vitro against Candida albicans. For the ethanolic extract of M. beecheii propolis; total phenolic content, was 263.25 ± 8.78 μg/ml, total flavonoid content was 768 ± 204 μg/ml and flavanones-dihydroflavonols content was 335.42 ± 15.08 μg/ml. For antioxidant activity assessed as DPPH scavenging and iron reducing power ethanolic extract of M. beecheii propolis reported IC50 of 32.47 and 1.60 μg/ml of gallic acid equivalent respectively. Regarding antifungal activity against C. albicans, the minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal fungicidal concentration for ethanolic extract of M. beecheii propolis were 1.62 ± 0.33 and 2.50 ± 0.22 μg/ml of dry extract; For both minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal fungicidal concentration, ethanolic extract of M. beecheii propolis required 30% less concentration of dry extract than ethanol extract of A. mellifera propolis to exert the same antifungal actions against C. albicans. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about the flavonoid and flavanones-dihydroflavonols content of M. beecheii propolis. Due to the lack of information available about the stingless bee’s honeycomb products, the study and conservation of endemic honeybees should remain as an active focus of research.

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Partial characterization of ethanolic extract of Melipona beecheii propolis and in vitro evaluation of its antifungal activity

Most cultivable microbes associated with stingless bees are bacteria. Studies about bacteria related to stingless
bee colonies were only limited to bacterial isolation and identification, while a few studies consider their potential
applications. Information on their biological roles and functions are scarce. Bacteria classified under the genera Bacillus,
Streptomyces, and Lactobacillus are commonly associated with stingless bee colonies. They have been hypothesized to
contribute to the formation and enhancement of antimicrobial activities of bee products such as honey and bee bread.
There is now sizeable evidence that the microflora of bees can be used as biocontrol agent, potential probiotic, as well
as producer of antimicrobial compounds and enzymes. The aim of this review was to stimulate a generation of further
research on the enormous potential of the bacteria associated with stingless bees, their contributions and potential
applications especially in medical and pharmaceutical uses.

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A review on the association of bacteria with stingless bees

1 Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Medical Campus, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia 2 Faculty of Health Sciences, UniSZA, Gong Badak Campus, 21300, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia. 3 Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.

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Aminu Shehu

Papers

Antifungal Properties of Malaysian Tualang Honey and Stingless Bee Propolis against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans.