Melittin has previously been found to have a positive effect on colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, one of the most difficult-to-treat malignancies, but the mechanism by which this effect occurs remains unclear. We evaluated melittin’s pro-apoptotic and anti-metastatic effects on CRC in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that melittin-induced mitochondrial ROS bursts decreased ΔΨm, inhibited Bcl-2 expression, and increased Bax expression in both cells and tumor tissues. This led to increased mitochondrial membrane permeability and the release of pro-apoptotic factors, particularly the high expression of Cytochrome C, initiating the apoptosis program. Additionally, through wound-healing and transwell assays, melittin inhibited the migration and invasion of CRC cells. In vivo, the anti-metastatic effect of melittin was also verified in a lung metastasis mouse model. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry analysis indicated that melittin suppressed the expression of MMPs and regulated the expression of crucial EMT markers and related transcription factors, thereby inhibiting EMT. Furthermore, the melittin disrupts neovascularization, ultimately inhibiting the metastasis of CRC. In conclusion, melittin exerts anti-CRC effects by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting metastasis, providing a theoretical basis for further research on melittin as a targeted therapeutic agent for CRC.

Camellia oleifera Abel. is an important woody oil plant, and its pollination success is essential for oil production. We conducted this study to select the best pollinator candidates for C. oleifera using principal component analysis and multi-attribute decision-making. Field observations of the flower-visiting characteristics of candidate pollinators were conducted at three sites. The insect species that visited flowers did not considerably differ between regions or time periods. However, the proportion of each species recorded did vary. We recorded eleven main candidates from two orders and six families at the three sites. The pollen amount carried by Apis mellifera was significantly higher than that of other insects. However, the visit frequency and body length of Apis mellifera were smaller than those of Vespa velutina. Statistical analysis showed that A. mellifera is the best candidate pollinator; Eristaliscerealis is a good candidate pollinator; Phytomia zonata, A. cerana, and V. velutina were ordinary candidate pollinators; and four fly species, Episyrphus balteatus, and Eristalinus arvorum were classified as inefficient candidate pollinators. Our study shows that flies and hoverflies play an important role in the pollination system. Given the global decline in bee populations, the role of flies should also be considered in C. oleifera seed production.

Background and aims: In 1997, Tsou described the special differentiation of the connective tissues of some species of Theaceae to produce single-celled powders with unique patterns called pseudopollen. The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological structure of the pseudopollen of Camellia oleifera (Theaceae) and to study the morphology of pseudopollen in seven other Camellia species.Methods: Scanning electron microscopy, paraffin section, light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, histochemistry.Key result: C. oleifera pseudopollen was similar to normal pollen in macroscopic morphology but different microscopically. The normal pollen was starch-rich and yellow, with mostly reticulate exine ornamentation. In contrast, the pseudopollen was a white powder, single-celled and rich in protein, with parallel unbranched ridge lines on the outer wall, and originated from the parenchyma of the connective tissues. There are also differences in the micro-characteristics of normal and pseudopollen among different species in Camellia.Conclusion: There are great differences in morphological structure between C. oleifera and other species in Camellia normal pollen and pseudopollen; these results may indicate that the pseudopollen can be used as a taxonomic basis for Camellia, and the macroscopic similarity between pseudopollen and pollen and histochemical characteristics of pseudopollen can be a pollination strategy.

Background/Objectives: Mastitis adversely affects human lactation, and there is a need for effective natural therapeutic agents. Poplar-type propolis is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, but its protective effects and mechanisms against mastitis remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms of ethanol extract of Chinese propolis (EECP) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mastitis. Methods: An integrated approach combining network pharmacology and transcriptomics was employed. In vivo validation was conducted using an LPS-induced mouse mastitis model in female BALB/c mice. Molecular docking was used to confirm interactions between key EECP components and core targets. Results: Network pharmacology identified 36 potential targets, primarily involved in inflammatory and immune pathways such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT), and interleukin (IL)-17 pathways. In vivo experiments demonstrated that EECP significantly alleviated LPS-induced histopathological damage, reduced neutrophil infiltration, and decreased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL1β, and IL6). Furthermore, EECP restored the expression and distribution of tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin), thereby preserving blood–milk barrier integrity. Transcriptomic analysis confirmed that EECP reversed LPS-induced gene expression changes and downregulated key inflammation-related pathways, including TNF, NF-κB, JAK-STAT, and IL-17. Integrated analysis identified TNF, IL6, IL1B, interferon gamma (IFNG), STAT3, and CXCL8 as core targets. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding interactions between characteristic propolis polyphenols (e.g., chrysin, CAPE, and galangin) and these core targets. Conclusions: EECP exerts protective effects against LPS-induced mastitis through the synergistic actions of multiple components. This study lays the preclinical foundation for considering poplar-type propolis as a candidate for the prevention or alleviation of mastitis, meriting further evaluation.

To comprehensively evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and bioactivities of three distinctive Apis cerana (A. cerana) honeys—Bauhinia championii honey (BCH), Polygonum perfoliatum honey (PPH), and Rhus chinensis honey (RCH)—systematic analyses were performed on total phenolic content (TPC), in vitro antioxidant capacity (via DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays), antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli, and volatile composition analysis. Among the varieties, BCH presented the most substantial TPC (636.21 ± 17.05 mg GAE/kg), a value statistically higher than that of PPH and RCH (p < 0.05), and correspondingly exhibited superior antioxidant performance across all assays. All honeys displayed a clear concentration-dependent antioxidant effect. Antibacterial assays revealed that both undiluted and diluted (0.5 g/mL) samples exerted significant inhibitory effects on the tested pathogens, furthermore, BCH and PPH showing significantly higher inhibition against S. aureus than the positive control (penicillin, p < 0.05). Volatile profiling by HS-SPME-GC-QQQ identified 42, 35, and 38 volatile compounds in BCH, PPH, and RCH, respectively, including esters, terpenes, aldehydes, and phenolics. Cedrol (in PPH), phenylethyl acetate (in BCH), and benzaldehyde (in RCH) were pinpointed as potential botanical markers that define their characteristic aroma profiles and may partially contribute to their bioactivity. Collectively, these honeys possess remarkable antioxidant and antibacterial properties, with BCH showing the greatest potential for functional food applications owing to its high phenolic concentration and robust overall bioactivity. These findings elucidate the intrinsic link between the botanical chemical signatures of A. cerana honey and its biological functions, offering a scientific foundation for their utilization in functional food innovation, geographical indication protection, and quality authentication.