Differential sensitivity of honey bees and bumble bees to a dietary insecticide (imidacloprid)

Currently, there is concern about declining bee populations and the sustainability of pollination services. One potential threat to bees is the unintended impact of systemic insecticides, which are ingested by bees in the nectar and pollen from flowers of treated crops. To establish whether imidacloprid, a systemic neonicotinoid and insect neurotoxin, harms individual bees when ingested at environmentally realistic levels, we exposed adult worker bumble bees, Bombus terrestris L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), and honey bees, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), to dietary imidacloprid in feeder syrup at dosages between 0.08 and 125 μg l^?1. Honey bees showed no response to dietary imidacloprid on any variable that we measured (feeding, locomotion and longevity). In contrast, bumble bees progressively developed over time a dose-dependent reduction in feeding rate with declines of 10–30% in the environmentally relevant range of up to 10 μg l^?1, but neither their locomotory activity nor longevity varied with diet. To explain their differential sensitivity, we speculate that honey bees are better pre-adapted than bumble bees to feed on nectars containing synthetic alkaloids, such as imidacloprid, by virtue of their ancestral adaptation to tropical nectars in which natural alkaloids are prevalent. We emphasise that our study does not suggest that honey bee colonies are invulnerable to dietary imidacloprid under field conditions, but our findings do raise new concern about the impact of agricultural neonicotinoids on wild bumble bee populations.     

The neonicotinoids thiacloprid,imidacloprid, and clothianidin affect the immunocompetence of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

A strong immune defense is vital for honey bee health and colony survival. This defense can be weakened by environmental factors that may render honey bees more vulnerable to parasites and pathogens. Honey bees are frequently exposed to neonicotinoid pesticides, which are being discussed as one of the stress factors that may lead to colony failure. We investigated the sublethal effects of the neonicotinoids thiacloprid, imidacloprid, and clothianidin on individual immunity, by studying three major aspects of immunocompetence in worker bees: total hemocyte number, encapsulation response, and antimicrobial activity of the hemolymph. In laboratory experiments, we found a strong impact of all three neonicotinoids. Thiacloprid (24 h oral exposure, 200 μg/l or 2000 μg/l) and imidacloprid (1 μg/l or 10 μg/l) reduced hemocyte density, encapsulation response, and antimicrobial activity even at field realistic concentrations. Clothianidin had an effect on these immune parameters only at higher than field realistic concentrations (50–200 μg/l). These results suggest that neonicotinoids affect the individual immunocompetence of honey bees, possibly leading to an impaired disease resistance capacity.     

Role of honey in modern medicine

Use of honey has a very long history. Honey has been used since ancient time due to its nutritional and therapeutic values. There had been varied ways of consumption honey including its use as a sweetener and flavoring agent. Honey is produced all over the world. The most important nutriment of honey is carbohydrates present in the form of monosaccharides, fructose and glucose. Honey plays an important role as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial agent and augments the adherence of skin grafts and wound healing process. The role of honey has been acknowledged in the scientific literature and there is convincing evidence in support of its antioxidant and antibacterial nature, cough prevention, fertility and wound healing properties. However, its use has been controversially discussed and has not been well accepted in the modern medicine. The aim of this review was explore and highlight the role of honey in modern medicine.     

Discovery of novel multi-target indole-based derivatives as potent and selective inhibitors of chikungunya virus replication

We recently identified indole derivatives (IIIe and IIIf) with anti-chikungunya virus (CHIKV) activities at lower micro molar concentrations and a selective index of inhibition higher than the lead compound Arbidol. Here we highlight new structural information for the optimization of the previously identified lead compounds that contain the indole chemical core. Based on the structural data, a series of indole derivatives was synthesized and tested for their antiviral activity against chikungunya virus in Vero cell culture by a CPE reduction assay.Systematic optimization of the lead compounds resulted in tert-butyl-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-(2-trifluoromethysulfynyl)methyl)-indole-3-carboxylate derivative IIc with a 10-fold improved anti-CHIKV inhibitory activity (EC₅₀ = 6.5 ± 1 μM) as compared to Arbidol demonstrating a potent, selective and specific inhibition of CHIKV replication with only a moderate cell protective effect against other related alphaviruses. The reported computational insights, together with the accessible synthetic procedure, pave the road towards the design of novel synthetic derivatives with enhanced anti-viral activities.     

黑姜的化学成分、药理作用及毒理学研究进展

黑姜（Kaempferia parviflora）是东南亚地区广泛栽培的民间药用植物,被用于制造食品、化妆品和医药品。黑姜在我国西双版纳傣族自治州亦有较长的民间药用栽培历史。根茎是黑姜重要的药用部位,主要含有黄酮类物质。许多药理作用研究表明黑姜具有抗肿瘤、增强男性性能力、抗炎、抗氧化、抗真菌、抗病毒、神经保护、血管舒张和心脏保护活性、经皮促渗等作用。对黑姜的化学成分、药理作用及毒理学研究进行综述,以期为进一步深入研究和开发利用黑姜资源提供帮助。     

Diterpenoids and triterpenoids with potential anti-inflammatory activity from the leaves of Aglaia odorata

Chemical investigation of the leaves of the oriental medicinal plant Aglaia odorata resulted in the isolation of five compounds: two dolabellane diterpenoids, two dammarane triterpenoids and a protostane triterpenoid, along with twenty known compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of their NMR spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. The anti-inflammatory activities of all compounds were evaluated as inhibitory activities against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cell lines. Eleven compounds possessed potent nitric oxide inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.1 to 14.2 μM, these being better than that of the positive control, indomethacin (IC₅₀ = 14.5 μM). In addition, three compounds exhibited significant activity against PGE₂ release with IC₅₀ values of 2.6, 16.1 and 23.0 μM.     

Sperm viability and gene expression in honey bee queens (Apis mellifera) following exposure to the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid and the organophosphate acaricide coumaphos

Honey bee population declines are of global concern. Numerous factors appear to cause these declines including parasites, pathogens, malnutrition and pesticides. Residues of the organophosphate acaricide coumaphos and the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid, widely used to combat Varroa mites and for crop protection in agriculture, respectively, have been detected in wax, pollen and comb samples. Here, we assess the effects of these compounds at different doses on the viability of sperm stored in the honey bee queens’ spermatheca. Our results demonstrate that sub-lethal doses of imidacloprid (0.02 ppm) decreased sperm viability by 50%, 7 days after treatment. Sperm viability was a downward trend (about 33%) in queens treated with high doses of coumaphos (100 ppm), but there was not significant difference. The expression of genes that are involved in development, immune responses and detoxification in honey bee queens and workers exposed to chemicals was measured by qPCR analysis. The data showed that expression levels of specific genes were triggered 1 day after treatment. The expression levels of P450 subfamily genes, CYP306A1, CYP4G11 and CYP6AS14 were decreased in honey bee queens treated with low doses of coumaphos (5 ppm) and imidacloprid (0.02 ppm). Moreover, these two compounds suppressed the expression of genes related to antioxidation, immunity and development in queens at day 1. Up-regulation of antioxidants by these compounds in worker bees was observed at day 1. Coumaphos also caused a repression of CYP306A1 and CYP4G11 in workers. Antioxidants appear to prevent chemical damage to honey bees. We also found that DWV replication increased in workers treated with imidacloprid. This research clearly demonstrates that chemical exposure can affect sperm viability in queen honey bees.     

Evaluation of chemical composition and antiedematogenic activity of the essential oil of Hyptis martiusii Benth

Evaluations of the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants and their components have been the subject of many studies. Furthermore, the biological activities of various plant species have been reported in various pieces of literature. Hyptis martiusii Benth (Lamiaceae), popularly known as “mad balm” is commonly found in the North, Southeast, and Northeast of Brazil. Its leaves are used ethnobiologically as antiulcerogenic, antimicrobial, antitumor and as insecticide. This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of the essential oil of H. martiusii Benth (OEHM) by GC/MS as well as its possible topical activity as an antiedematogenic. This is verified by the models of ear edema induced by single (acute edema) and multiple (chronic edema) applications of croton oil topically, and systemically verified through the model of paw edema induced by carrageenan 1%. Doses of 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg OEHM were used in all tests. Chemical analysis of the oil revealed the 1,8-cineole (34.58%) and δ-carene (21:58%) as major components present in the essential oil. On the model of ear edema, acute and chronic OEHM in all the tested doses showed no significant antiedematogenic activity (p < 0.05). The systemic model of paw edema induced by carrageenin showed that a dose of 100 mg/kg effectively reduced swelling by 55.37% in the second hour evaluation when compared to the saline group. The anti-inflammatory systemic effect can give greater bioavailability of the components present in the essential oil and your interference in cytokines and leukotriene, thromboxane and prostaglandin biosynthesis. It is therefore concluded that OEHM presents systemic antiedematogenic activity but not topical activity at these doses.     

Variations of chemical element composition of bee and beekeeping products in different taxons of the biosphere

Geographical variations in element composition of bee products are poorly investigated though a lot of attempts are made to utilize the data in ecological monitoring. So the comparison of chemical element composition of bee and beekeeping products in different taxons of the biosphere may become valuable to test the efficiency of such approach. For this purpose content of 25 elements in bee body, bee bread, propolis and honey from Ribnitsa district of Moldavia (unpolluted area, control), Henty province of Mongolia (selenium deficient area) and Voskresensk district of Moscow region (mineral fertilizers production) were determined by means of the ICP-MS. Among 3 investigated regions Mongolia was characterized by the lowest Se levels and the highest accumulation of Al, Ca, Cd, Cu, Co, K, Mn, Mg, Na, Ni, P, Zn and V in bee bodies. The highest levels of Pb, Cr, Fe, Si, Sr and B, Se, Li, Sn were typical for Voskresensk and Moldavia bees accordingly. The highest correlation coefficients were registered between element concentrations in bee body and bee bread (r = +0.97–0.99, P < 0.0001), less significant – in bee body and propolis (r = +0.5–0.7; P < 0.001) and no correlation was demonstrated between element composition of bee body and honey. Propolis was characterized by significantly higher capacity to accumulate Pb, Cr, Sn and Al than bee body. Compared to bee body honey accumulated the lowest level of Mn and the highest of Si in Se-deficient Mongolia but the opposite phenomenon was demonstrated in Moldavia with moderately increased Se content in the environment. The results suppose that the most promising object for ecological monitoring is bee body. Element composition of propolis seems to reflect prolonged accumulation of elements, especially Pb, Al, Sn and Cr, by plant resin rather than dynamic temporal elements loading. Accumulation levels of elements in bee bread may be used on a par with bee body mineral content only in cases with equal honey content in bee bread. Honey utilization in monitoring of geochemical elements loading should be used with caution due to peculiarities of pollen/nectar elements distribution.     

Effects of a neonicotinoid pesticide on thermoregulation of African honey bees (Apis mellifera scutellata)

Thiamethoxam is a widely used neonicotinoid pesticide that, as agonist of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, has been shown to elicit a variety of sublethal effects in honey bees. However, information concerning neonicotinoid effects on honey bee thermoregulation is lacking. Thermoregulation is an essential ability for the honey bee that guarantees the success of foraging and many in-hive tasks, especially brood rearing. We tested the effects of acute exposure to thiamethoxam (0.2, 1, 2 ng/bee) on the thorax temperatures of foragers exposed to low (22 °C) and high (33 °C) temperature environments. Thiamethoxam significantly altered honey bee thorax temperature at all doses tested; the effects elicited varied depending on the environmental temperature and pesticide dose to which individuals were exposed. When bees were exposed to the high temperature environment, the high dose of thiamethoxam increased their thorax temperature 1–2 h after exposure. When bees were exposed to the low temperature, the higher doses of the neonicotinoid reduced bee thorax temperatures 60–90 min after treatment. In both experiments, the neonicotinoid decreased the temperature of bees the day following the exposure. After a cold shock (5 min at 4 °C), the two higher doses elicited a decrease of the thorax temperature, while the lower dose caused an increase, compared to the control. These alterations in thermoregulation caused by thiamethoxam may affect bee foraging activity and a variety of in-hive tasks, likely leading to negative consequences at the colony level. Our results shed light on sublethal effect of pesticides which our bees have to deal with.     

Phytochemical evaluation of roots of Plumbago zeylanica L. and assessment of its potential as a nephroprotective agent

Search for medicinal plants to treat kidney disorders is an important topic on phytotherapeutical research. Plumbago zeylanica L. is an important medicinal plant with hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. In the present study, the protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of P. zeylanica (HAPZ) in cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity was analyzed in Swiss albino mice. Treatment with higher dose (400 mg/kg) of HAPZ significantly reversed the adverse effect of cisplatin on kidney weight, serum urea and creatinine, indicating their renoprotective effect. The antioxidant effect of the drug is evident from its significant effect on Catalase, Glutathione peroxidase and lipid peroxidation activities.     

Neuroprotective effect of allicin against traumatic brain injury via Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway-mediated anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities

Allicin, one of the main biologically active compounds derived from garlic, has been shown to exert various anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities in in vitro and in vivo studies. Here, we sought to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of allicin against traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. We found that allicin treatment (10 and 50 mg/kg, not 1 mg/kg) significantly reduced brain edema and motor functional deficits, as well as apoptotic neuronal cell death in injured cortex. These protective effects could be observed even if the administration was delayed to 4 h after injury. Moreover, allicin treatment decreased the expression levels of MDA and protein carbonyl, preserved the endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities, and suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines. The results of Western blot analysis showed that allicin increased the phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Blocking Akt/eNOS pathway activation by specific inhibitor LY294002 (10 μL, 10 mmol/L) or L-NIO (0.5 mg/kg) partly reversed the protective effects of allicin and its anti-inflammatory activities. The allicin induced anti-oxidative activity was partly prevented by LY294002, but not L-NIO. In summary, our data strongly suggested that allicin treatment at an appropriate dose can exert protective effect against TBI through Akt/eNOS pathway-mediated anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities.     

20(R)-Ginsenoside Rh2, not 20(S), is a selective osteoclastgenesis inhibitor without any cytotoxicity

Increased osteoclastic bone resorption plays a central role in the pathogenesis of many bone diseases, and osteoclast inhibitors are the most widely used treatments for these diseases. Ginsenosides, the main component of ginseng, have been known for their medicinal effects such as anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of ginsenosides (ginsenoside 20(R)-Rh2 and ginsenoside 20(S)-Rh2) on osteoclastgenesis using RAW264 cells in vitro. Only ginsenoside 20(R)-Rh2 showed selective osteoclastgenesis inhibitory activity without any cytotoxicity up to 100 μM. These results implied that the stereochemistry of the hydroxyl group at C-20 may play an important role in selective osteoclastgenesis inhibitory activity.     

VBP15: Preclinical characterization of a novel anti-inflammatory delta 9,11 steroid

Δ9,11 modifications of glucocorticoids (21-aminosteroids) have been developed as drugs for protection against cell damage (lipid peroxidation; lazaroids) and inhibition of neovascularization (anecortave). Part of the rationale for developing these compounds has been the loss of glucocorticoid receptor binding due to the Δ9,11 modification, thus avoiding many immunosuppressive activities and deleterious side effect profiles associated with binding to glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. We recently demonstrated that anecortave acetate and its 21-hydroxy analog (VBP1) do, in fact, show glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor binding activities, with potent translocation of the glucocorticoid receptor to the cell nucleus. We concluded that Δ9,11 steroids showed novel anti-inflammatory properties, retaining NF-κB inhibition, but losing deleterious glucocorticoid side effect profiles. Evidence for this was developed in pre-clinical trials of chronic muscle inflammation. Here, we describe a drug development program aimed at optimizing the Δ9,11 chemistry. Twenty Δ9,11 derivatives were tested in in vitro screens for NF-κB inhibition and GR translocation to the nucleus, and low cell toxicity. VBP15 was selected as the lead compound due to potent NF-κB inhibition and GR translocation similar to prednisone and dexamethasone, lack of transactivation properties, and good bioavailability. Phamacokinetics were similar to traditional glucocorticoid drugs with terminal half-life of 0.35 h (mice), 0.58 h (rats), 5.42 h (dogs), and bioavailability of 74.5% (mice), and 53.2% (dogs). Metabolic stability showed ?80% remaining at 1 h of VBP6 and VBP15 in human, dog, and monkey liver microsomes. Solubility, permeability and plasma protein binding were within acceptable limits. VBP15 moderately induced CYP3A4 across the three human hepatocyte donors (24–42%), similar to other steroids. VBP15 is currently under development for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.     

Caspase-dependent apoptosis is induced by Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd in a mitochondria-dependent manner after G2/M arrest

Artemisia afra is one of the oldest, most well known and widely used traditional medicinal plants in South Africa. It is used to treat many different medical conditions, particularly respiratory and inflammatory ailments (Liu et al., 2009). There is no reported evidence of its use for the treatment of cancer but due to its reported cytotoxicity (Fouche et al., 2008, Mativandlela et al., 2008), we investigated the mode of cell death induced by an ethanolic A. afra extract by using two cancer cell lines. IC₅₀ values of 18.21 and 31.88 μg/mL of ethanol extracts were determined against U937 and HeLa cancer cells, respectively. An IC₅₀ value of the aqueous extract was greater than 250 μg/mL. The effect of the cytotoxic ethanolic A. afra extract on U937 and HeLa cells and their progression through the cell cycle, apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential were investigated. Melphalan was used as a positive control. After 12 h of treatment with A. afra a delay in G2/M phase of the cell cycle was evident. Apoptosis was confirmed by using the TUNEL assay for DNA fragmentation, as well as fluorescent staining with annexin V-FITC. Apoptosis was evident with the positive control and A. afra treatment at 24 and 48 h. JC-1 staining showed a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential at 24 h. The results obtained suggest that A. afra potentially has medicinal anticancer properties.     

A plate-based assay system for analyses and screening of the Leishmania major inositol phosphorylceramide synthase

Sphingolipids are key components of eukaryotic membranes, particularly the plasma membrane. The biosynthetic pathway for the formation of these lipid species is largely conserved. However, in contrast to mammals, which produce sphingomyelin, organisms such as the pathogenic fungi and protozoa synthesize inositol phosphorylceramide (IPC) as the primary phosphosphingolipid. The key step involves the reaction of ceramide and phosphatidylinositol catalysed by IPC synthase, an essential enzyme with no mammalian equivalent encoded by the AUR1 gene in yeast and recently identified functional orthologues in the pathogenic kinetoplastid protozoa. As such this enzyme represents a promising target for novel anti-fungal and anti-protozoal drugs. Given the paucity of effective treatments for kinetoplastid diseases such as leishmaniasis, there is a need to characterize the protozoan enzyme. To this end a fluorescent-based cell-free assay protocol in a 96-well plate format has been established for the Leishmania major IPC synthase. Using this system the kinetic parameters of the enzyme have been determined as obeying the double displacement model with apparent V_max = 2.31 pmol min^?1 U^?1. Furthermore, inhibitory substrate analogues have been identified. Importantly this assay is amenable to development for use in high-throughput screening applications for lead inhibitors and as such may prove to be a pivotal tool in drug discovery.     

Expression of recombinant human cathepsin K is enhanced by codon optimization

A synthetic codon-optimized gene encoding human procathepsin K has been cloned in Escherichia coli using pET28a+ vector. The recombinant His-tagged fusion protein was expressed as inclusion body, solubilized in urea and purified by metal affinity chromatography. The purified protein was refolded by dilution technique, concentrated and finally purified by gel-filtration chromatography. The expressed protein was confirmed by Western blot analysis with human cathepsin K specific antibody. We have obtained 140 mg purified and refolded protein from 1 L bacterial culture which is the highest (nearly three times higher) yield reported so far for a recombinant human procathepsin K. The protease could be autocatalytically activated to mature protease at lower pH in presence of cysteine protease specific activators. The recombinant protease showed gelatinolytic and collagenolytic activities as well as activity against synthetic substrate Z-FR-AMC with a K_m value of 5 ± 2.7 μM and the proteolytic activity of the enzyme could be blocked by cysteine protease inhibitors E-64, leupeptin and MMTS.     

Anti-urolithiatic,antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Erica arborea flowers and leaves hydromethanolic extracts: An ethnopharmacological study

Erica arborea L. is a medicinal plant vastly used in therapeutic purposes in several parts of the world for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic purposes, and in treating urinary infections and kidney stones. The current investigation aimed to evaluate the medicinal use of E. arborea in Algeria's Bejaia region, and to examine the anti-urolithiatic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory (in vivo), analgesic, and toxicity effects of E. arborea hydromethanolic extracts from leaves (EALE) and flowers (EALE) to give a justification for its use in the traditional medicine. The in vitro anti-urolithiathic activity of E. arborea leaf and flower hydromethanolic extracts nucleation and aggregation of crystals were measured using spectrophotometric methods. The agar disk diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination were employed to estimate the antibacterial effect of EAME against three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacterial strains in vitro. In addition, the xylene and croton oil-induced ear edema methods in mice were used to examine the topical and oral anti-inflammatory potential of the extracts. Similarly, the analgesic effect of the extract was assessed via the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction in mice, whereas the acute toxicity of EAME was conducted following OECD guidelines. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted among 171 informants with 212 questionnaire cards. Results indicated that 28.04 % of people in the studied region used E. arborea in traditional folk medicine. Additionally, results revealed the presence of epicatechin, palmitic acid, and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside in the plant extracts. Results also showed that EAME exhibits significant and dose-dependent anti-urolithiatic activity in nucleation and aggregation assays. Furthermore, results revealed that the extracts exhibit significant antibacterial activity. The E. arborea flower extract (EAFE) showed maximum antibacterial activity, especially against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. gallinarum, and B. cereus. In addition, a greater minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in this extract was found at 1.60 mg/mL against M. luteus strain compared to the positive control. Moreover, the EAME caused a significant inhibition influence in the xylene and croton oil-induced edematous in mice. In contrast, the topical anti-inflammatory potential showed that extracts exhibit a considerable anti-edematogenic effect in both animal models. In the writhing reaction induced by the acetic acid model, the two extracts significantly reduced abdominal contractions. Finally, results of the toxicity assay showed that EAME is safe and no deaths or changes in mice behavior were observed even when doses as high as 5 g/kg DW were used. From the ethnopharmacological studies, our consequences endorse the benefit of E. arborea in folk medicine. Results of this investigation suggest that the leaf and flower extracts of E. arborea exhibit notable anti-urolithiatic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antibacterial activities and are safe as a natural source of drugs with the above effects.     

Nectar secretion dynamics and honey production potentials of some major honey plants in Saudi Arabia

The contribution of a bee plant species to honey production depends on the plant’s nectar secretion quality and quantity, which is mainly governed by biotic and abiotic factors. The aim of the current study, was to investigate the nectar secretion dynamics and honey production potential of 14 major bee plant species of the target area. We examined the quantity and dynamics of nectar sugar per flower five times a day using a nectar sugar washing technique and direct measuring of nectar with calibrated capillary tubes. The average nectar sugar amount of the species varied from 0.41 mg/flower to 7.7 mg/flower (P < 0.0001). The honey sugar per flower was used to extrapolate the honey production potential per plant and per hectare of land. Accordingly the honey production potential of the species observed to vary from 14 kg/hectare in Otostegia fruticosa to 829 kg/hectare in Ziziphus spina-christi. The nectar secretion dynamics of the species generally showed an increasing trend early in the morning, peaking toward midday, followed by a decline but different species observed to have different peak nectar secretion times. Generally, the tree species secreted more nectar sugar/flower than the herbs. The nectar secretion amount of the species was positively correlated with the ambient temperature, indicating the adaptation of the species to hot climatic conditions. However, different species were observed to have a different optimum temperature for peak nectar secretion. Despite the limited rainfall and high temperature of the area, many plants were found to have good potential for honey production. The monetary value of honey per hectare of the studied honeybee plant species can be of equal or greater than the per-hectare monetary value of some cultivated crops that require numerous inputs. In addition, the information generated is believed to be useful in apiary site selection and to estimate the honey bee colony carrying capacity of an area.     

Biotransformation of the SDG in defatted flaxseed into END co-cultured by three single bacterial colonies

Enterodiol (END) possesses the estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities, which could prevent the development of breast cancer and prostate cancer, as well as menopausal syndrome.Previous studies in our laboratory set up a bio-transformation method for largely yielding secoisolariciresinol (SECO) from the substrate of defatted flaxseeds by strain Bacteroides uniformis ZL-I. In this research, another two single colonies, designated as strain ZL-II and strain ZL-III, were isolated, which were closely related to Eubacterium limosum species (ZL-II), and Eggerthella lenta species (ZL-III) on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence data. Under the combining actions of strains ZL-(I + II + III), END could be produced from defatted flaxseed directly, ZL-II was proved to possess the activities of demethylation, while ZL-III had the activities of dehydroxylation. Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) existed in the form of oligomeric with 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaric acid in flaxseed could be efficiently transformed into END under the co-culture of strains ZL-(I + II + III), with the conversion rate of more than 90%. The method for mass-producing END from defatted flaxseed reported here is meaningful not only for the medicinal values of END but also for the resource utilization of flaxseed materials.