Propolis is of great importance for bees, as it ensures cleanliness, sterility and a “healthy atmosphere” in the hive. It protects the bee house from harmful external influences and mercilessly destroys different types of viruses, bacteria and even some fungi. Propolis can act in a similar way on the human body. Thanks to its unique properties, this substance is able to cope with a variety of both internal and external diseases. However, to achieve a positive effect, it must be used correctly. To solve various problems with the body, dry propolis is used quite rarely; most often, treatment occurs with the help of products prepared from it. One of these remedies is propolis tincture with alcohol - this is what we will talk about today.
The healing properties of propolis
Propolis, also known as “bee glue”, also known as oza, consists of tree resins mixed with bee enzymes. Bees use it to glue honeycombs and disinfect their surface. This way the honey stops spoiling.
This ingredient has a healing effect on the human body, performing 4 properties:
- pain reliever;
- antibacterial;
- anti-inflammatory;
- regenerating.
The bottom line is that these properties affect almost any area in the human body, which is why uzu is used from dentistry to acne treatment. Let me give you a few examples.
- Propolis has an analgesic effect 5 times stronger than novocaine.
- For people suffering from sinusitis and sinusitis, “bee glue” helps with insomnia - it becomes easier to breathe and all the negative consequences of the disease are reduced.
- The regenerative property slows down the growth of tumors and heals wounds faster.
- . Uza is an indispensable product during seasonal illnesses. Gets you on your feet in literally 3 days.
The effect of bee venom on the body
Bee venom therapy dates back to the era of Hippocrates, where it was used to relieve joint pain and arthritis. In modern medicine, bee venom is used to treat multiple sclerosis, arthritis and Parkinson's disease. The activity is based on the positive effects of the anaphylactic reaction on metabolism and organelles, especially the respiratory system. Bee venom demonstrates effectiveness against HIV , and its effectiveness against H1N1 provides hope for additional therapy for protection against SARS-CoV-2. Allergens may help fight COVID-19. Bee venom can cause an increase in specific IgE and IgG antibodies and leads to the production of IgE antibodies that can react to various antigens. Although IgE is responsible for allergy outbreaks, it also plays a protective role against a wide range of allergens.
Bee venom can act as an adjuvant in combination with Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands and modulate the immune system, enhance the differentiation of foxP3-expressing cells and increase circulating regulatory T cells. Bee venom causes an increase in CD25, CD4+ T cells, and foxP3 mRNA, resulting in a shift in the bee venom-specific IgG4/IgE ratio.
Bee venom regulates the immune response and physiopathological changes and supports clinical observations in apitherapy, where immunity against COVID-19 was shown by beekeepers in Wuhan Province, People's Republic of China.
Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) bee venom can trigger mast cell maturation, plays an important role in cell signaling and for the production of key lipids, and can act as a receptor ligand. PLA2 can inhibit the flow of inflammatory cells to targets.
Bee venom can lead to long-term induced tolerance to related allergens, such as the function of reducing IgG4 levels and activating IL-10, modulating the immune system and inducing TH2 to TH1 bias.
Melittin (APi M 1) can be used to create mimotopes. The bee venom component APi M 10 (icarapine) activates effector cells in patients with bee venom allergy. Since IgE has an epitope for APi M 10, this may provide an opportunity for adjuvant development. Bee venom antigens can be used as adjuvants for pain relief, and the effect of melittin on the formation of cell membrane pores, leading to apoptosis, serves to enhance adjuvant properties.
Bee venom also has antiviral properties. Bee venom can desensitize mast cells and basophils and suppress innate lymphoid cells. Bee venom components can inhibit protein synthesis, induce angiogenesis, and activate caspase-3-8-9.
How to take propolis tincture correctly
The application and benefits of bee glue are wide. Can be used both externally and internally. Compresses, rubbing the skin, rinsing, drinks are the most popular methods.
Let's talk in detail about internal use. I saw a dozen articles about propolis tinctures in water. I’ll say right away - let go of this idea. I give my argument: the bond consists of resins, some of which cannot be dissolved in water. The tincture turns out to be unsaturated and its effect will be weak.
Better options are alcohol tinctures for adults. For children, if you do not want to give alcohol, mix pure propolis with hot milk.
To prevent diseases, 20 drops of tincture per 200 ml of water is enough. For the treatment of colds, the amount can be increased to 40 drops per 200 ml. milk or water.
Anti-inflammatory potential of bee venom
Low doses of bee venom produce a range of anti-inflammatory responses that have been studied in diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), heart disease, obesity, asthma, skin diseases and diseases associated with the central nervous system (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, etc.) sclerosis). Bee venom suppresses inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Reductions in signaling pathways responsible for the activation of inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), protein kinase Akt, and human Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (PgLPS) keratinocytes are associated with melittin treatment (65 ) (Fig. 2).
How to make propolis tincture at home
Ingredients:
- alcohol;
- propolis.
Technology and nuances of preparation:
1. What alcohol to choose.
To fully reveal all the properties in the tincture, the alcohol must reach 63-65 degrees of strength. This completely eliminates the option with vodka tincture; 40 degrees will not be enough to dissolve the resins.
We come to two options: buy medical alcohol at the pharmacy or make moonshine yourself.
The strength can be higher than 65 degrees, you need to bring it to the desired level. Have you encountered dilution yet? A special calculator for diluting moonshine with water can make this easier. You enter milliliters, the current strength and the desired strength - you immediately get the result. Save time and nerves.
2. Optimal proportions.
It couldn't be simpler.
For a 10% tincture, take 10 grams of oza per 100 ml of alcohol.
For 20% - 20 grams per 100 ml. alcohol.
3. How to cook at home.
Now that you know the proportions and what alcohol to choose, you can start cooking.
- Freeze the required amount of propolis in the freezer until it turns into stone. You need to completely crush it, but at room temperature it looks like plasticine, and there is no point in carrying out any actions. When frozen, simply grate until finely powdered.
- Mix alcohol and propolis in a glass container, close the lid tightly and shake. Place in a dark place for 10-14 days to infuse. Shake the infusion a couple of times a day.
- Strain the tincture through gauze folded in several layers. Store in a dark place.
Toxicity of bee venom against COVID-19
Bee venom is cytotoxic at high doses, however non-cytotoxic concentrations of bee venom ranging from 1 to 3 μg/ml show significant therapeutic potential. Low doses, controlled concentrations and diluted bee venom produce a range of anti-inflammatory responses and are used to treat diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), heart disease, obesity, asthma, skin diseases and diseases of the central nervous system, nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and sclerosis. At low doses, bee venom can suppress inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Reductions in signaling pathways responsible for the activation of inflammatory cytokines such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and protein kinase Akt and lipopolysaccharide (PgLPS)-treated human keratinocytes were associated with treatments including bee venom
Bee venom has been used as an anti-inflammatory agent by combining bee venom compounds, i.e. secretory phospholipase A2, with phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate or cells, mainly dendritic cells (DCs), or combining bee venom with DCs. Conjugation of hormone receptors and gene therapy transporters to bee venom peptides as a useful new targeted therapy to positively modulate immune responses has been applied in antitumor and anti-inflammatory therapy.
The bees left their stings on the beekeeper's hand. Three bee stings are a good “vaccination”!
Immune responses to bee venom are toxic in high doses, but when controlled or diluted (controlled concentrations), these immune responses can serve as immunomodulators. Controlled allergic immunity may be useful in protecting the patient from antigens and pathogens, including RNA viruses. Bee venom can stimulate type 2 immune responses, type 2 immunity is initiated by antibodies to T cells (T helper cells type 2) and immunoglobulin (Ig (IgE and IgG1), as well as the action of the innate immune system such as epithelium and white blood cells and serves as a protective barrier to eliminate antigens. Group III BV SPLA2 exhibits effects on the immune system in vitro and in vivo. Modulated immune responses from bee venom may alleviate immunological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory diseases, asthma and Parkinson's disease. Innate immune system induces protective immune response against bee venom antigens through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors found in molecular patterns associated with pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs).Bee venom in therapeutic disease is an anti-inflammatory agent that reduces the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells and the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 inhibition and CD14. Bee venom also inhibits nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and activator protein (AP)-1 binding potential. The human IL-1 receptor (anakinra) also exhibits anti-inflammatory activity, but information linking this receptor and bee venom remains sparse.
Bee venom phospholipase 2 (bvPLA2) is a major bee venom allergen and stimulates the innate immune system by binding to pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptors, which recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), triggering a type 2 immune response. . bvPLA2 induces T helper cell and group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2)-type responses, which are facilitated by the enzymatic breakdown of membrane phospholipids and the secretion of IL-33. bvPLA2 also induces the production of IgE, which has been shown to protect against future allergic/immunological reactions (in the case of a lethal dose of bee venom). PLA2 plays a vital role in patient protection in Th2 differentiation, ILC2 activation, immunoglobulin production, membrane remodeling and anti-inflammatory responses.
Bee venom shows a positive immunomodulatory role, reducing tumor progression and activating the immune system by combining bvPLA2 with phosphatidylinositol (3,4)-bisphosphate or cells, mainly dendritic cells (DCs). DCs produced with bee venom in vivo have both anticancer and antiviral properties. DCs, in combination with tumor or viral antigens, produce major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II peptide epitopes for CD8 and CD4 T lymphocytes.
PLA2 (bvPLA2-H34Q) binds to the membrane and in vivo combines antigens with the membrane of human DC cells, causing stimulation of CD8 T cells, and antiviral and antitumor vaccines (DC vaccine) can be produced from bee venom using DCs. These cell-based antiviral/antitumor vaccines are used during immunization against viruses, including cytomegalovirus, and for tumor suppression. Bee venom is a well-known adjuvant-enhanced antimicrobial and antitumor vaccine. Melittin, bvPLA2 and phosphatidylinositol-(3,4)-bisphosphate are effective adjuvants against leishmania, antitumor and anticytomegalovirus vaccines. Conjugation of bee venom peptides to hormone receptors and gene therapy can positively modulate immune responses. Targeted antitumor and anti-inflammatory treatment methods are used.
Bee venom can be used as an analgesic in controlled doses; inhibition of cyclooxygenase activity and blocking of the prostaglandin synthetase system, resulting in antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive/analgesic cascades. In diluted form, bee venom can cause antinociceptive effects through α-adrenergic receptors (activation of spinal α-adrenergic receptors). Conjugation of bee venom peptides to protein receptors such as hormones and peptide transport genes provides innovative bee venom-controlled anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and immunomodulatory therapies.
The body's response to bee venom
Bee venom therapy may alleviate immune diseases. Bee venom secretory phospholipase A2 exhibits in vitro and in vivo activity in the immune system and is used to treat asthma, Parkinson's disease, and drug-induced organ inflammation. Immune reactions to bee venom can be dangerous when highly elevated, but when controlled, allergic immunity can be beneficial in human defense to stimulate type 2 immune responses. Type 2 immunity is mainly based on barrier defense, and these responses are initiated by T helper type 2 (TH2), immunoglobulins E and G1 (IgE and IgG1), antibodies and other components of the innate immune system (epithelial barriers, innate lymphoid) cells - ILC , eosinophils, mast cells, basophils and activated macrophages). The innate immune system senses venom components, inducing a protective immune response against antigens through pattern recognition receptors (PROs), such as Toll-like receptors found on pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs).
The anti-inflammatory properties of bee venom can suppress the activity of inflammatory antigens, reduce the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells, and suppress the expression of (TNF)-α, IL-1β, Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, and CD14 expression. , inhibiting the binding activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and activator protein (AP)-1. The major allergen of Bet V 1, PLA2, stimulates the innate immune system by binding to PRRs, such as Toll-like receptors, which recognize PAMPs, inducing a type 2 immune response. PLA2 in BV induces T helper 2 (Th2) cell type responses and group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) activation through enzymatic degradation of membrane phospholipids and secretion of IL-33. PLA2 induces IgE production, protecting against future allergic/immunological reactions in the event of a lethal dose of bee venom; PLA2 plays a critical role in human defense by enhancing Th2 differentiation, ILC2 activation, immunoglobulin production, membrane remodeling, and anti-inflammatory responses.
The potential of bee venom against coronavirus
The development of adjuvant therapies (using APi M and PLA2) for use against SARS-CoV-2 infections offers a unique approach to viral therapy. The development of a DC-based bee venom vaccine using APi M and bvPLA2 opens new opportunities for additional medical interventions against SARS-CoV-2 infections. Research examining cellular signaling between the bee venom proteins Janus kinase (JAK) and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) will help strengthen its use in complementary medicine against SARS-CoV-2. JAK inhibitors are associated with improved prognosis in patients with COVID-19, but studies are needed to elucidate the cellular mechanisms. Synergistic activity through combinations in alternative and complementary medicine will help combat side effects associated with current monotherapies for treating SARS-CoV-2 infections. SARS-CoV-2 is a new virus, and new treatments may be needed to support treatment over time, which may be important for supporting the immune response in patients suffering from so-called long COVID.
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Bee venom vaccines
Bee venom can suppress tumor progression and activate the immune system by combining the secretory phospholipase A2 in BV with compounds including phosphatidylinositol (3,4)-bisphosphate or dendritic cells (DCs). DCs treated with bee venom in vivo exhibit anticancer and antiviral properties. DCs in combination with tumor or viral antigens can produce class I and class II major histocompatibility complex peptide epitopes on CD8 and CD4 T lymphocytes, leading to a series of immune responses in response to the antigens. Phospholipase A2 BV (bvPLA2-H34Q) is membrane bound and binds antigens within the cell membrane of human DCs in vivo. This induces recognition and activation of CD8 T cells, implying that antiviral and antitumor vaccines can be derived from bee venom (DC vaccine).
Bee venom and DC vaccines (cellular antiviral/antitumor vaccines) are used for immunization against viruses such as cytomegalovirus and for tumor suppression. Bee venom can be used as a potent adjuvant-enhanced antimicrobial and antitumor vaccine and shows potential in melittin-containing vaccines. sPLA2 and phosphatidylinositol (3,4)-bisphosphate are effective adjuvants (leishmania vaccines, antitumor and anticytomegalovirus vaccines).
The leading adjuvant therapy for SARS-CoV-2 currently being promoted is aluminum hydroxide due to its slow release and increased interaction with antigen-presenting cells.
Bee venom is a candidate for combating SARS-CoV-2 infections and may provide benefits against COVID-19. PLA2 has been associated with the level of success in controlling SARS-CoV-2 infections. Conjugation of bee venom peptides may offer a new approach to developing a bee venom vaccine.
