Content uploaded by Otilia Bobis
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Otilia Bobis on Dec 22, 2014
Content may be subject to copyright.
A preview of the PDF is not available
Biological Activities of Royal Jelly -Review
Abstract
Royal jelly is a secretion product of the cephalic glands of nurse bees that has been used for centuries for its extraordinary properties and health effects. This bibliographic study aims to review many of the scientific findings and research that prove many of the remarkable various actions, effects and some uses of royal jelly. There are taken into consideration numerous biological properties and effects of royal jelly: antioxidant, neurotrophic, hipoglicemiant, hipocholesterolemiant and hepatoprotective, hypotensive and blood pressure regulatory, antitumor, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-allergic, general tonic and antiaging. Royal jelly is one of the most studied bee products, but there still remains much to reveal about its biochemistry and biological activity in future research for our health and life benefit.
... Laboratory animals, microorganisms, agricultural animals, and clinical trials are used to explore the biological activities and usage areas of RJ ( Figure 1) and its use in vivo and in vitro experimental models. The biological activities of RJ vary and have been linked to the active component concentration [22,23]. ...
... RJ's antioxidant effect has been proven in vitro on plants, yeast, rats, and laboratory animals. In rat and in vitro experiments, lipid peroxidation was also decreased [23]. RJ treatment decreased oxidative stress in diabetes patients' erythrocytes by improving malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity, according to clinical investigations [27]. ...
... Many studies have claimed that 10-HDA, the most significant fatty acid of RJ, has significant antibacterial effects against various infections [10,22]. Antibiotic activity of 10-hydroxy-2decenoic acid has been observed against a variety of bacteria (S. pyogenes, E. coli, S.aureus, S. griseus, and three unclassified strains of Streptomyces) [10,23]. RJ components that are hydrosoluble, such as proteins and peptides, have a strong ability to inhibit Gram-positive bacteria. ...
... Therefore, it is necessary to find a novel medication with such characteristics as high efficiency and minimum toxicity. In recent years, bee products(e.g., honey and royal jelly (RJ)) have been widely used for biological and pharmacological goals to enhance human health (9). Royal jelly is a valuable resource with various confirmed pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antitumor, immune system booster, and antimicrobial (10). ...
Toxoplasmosis, which is created by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite is a parasitic, infectious disease. 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-H2DA, queen bee acid (QBA), is one of the most prevalent fatty acid (>40%) presents in royal jelly. Studies reported various beneficial effects of 10-H2DA antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, improving the immune system, and antimicrobial effects. This experimental survey aimed to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of QBA against tachyzoites and intracellular parasites of the T. gondii RH strain. Anti-Toxoplasma effects of QBA against tachyzoites were examined by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay for 30, 60, 120, and 180 min. In addition, the effect of QBA on infection rate and intracellular parasites was studied. Real-time PCR was also applied to assess the expression level of the Caspase-3 gene. The best efficiency of QBA was reported at 100 and 50 µg/mL whereas all tachyzoites were diminished followed by 120- and 180-min treatment, respectively. We also found that the best repressing efficacy of QBA on the infection rate and the load of parasites into the Vero cells was indicated at 100 µg/mL (p<0.001): but, the combination of QBA (12.5 µg/mL) along with atovaqoune 30 µg/mL displayed the highest effect on the infection rate and the load of parasites into the Vero cells in the infected Vero cells. The expression level of the Caspase-3 gene was dose-dependently increased after exposure of tachyzoites to QBA; mainly at ½ IC50, and IC50 compared to the normal saline. The achieved findings exhibited the high in vitro potency of QBA especially in combination with atovaqoune against T. gondii RH strain tachyzoites. Although apoptosis induction can be suggested as one of the principle mechanisms; more studies are required to elucidate its accurate mechanisms as well as its efficacy and safety in animal models and clinical settings.
... Royal jelly's impact on the skin is determined by a wide range of biological activities, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiallergic, antioxidant, toning, moisturizing, and antiaging properties [40]. Royal jelly possesses a broad spectrum of biological activities. ...
Honey is a natural substance produced by bees collected using nectar and honeydew as their primary ingredients. Honey is a supersaturated solution of carbohydrates with a wide range of applications and exhibits various features. Propolis is a resinous material gathered by bees from the buds of trees, shrubs, and green plants. Bee glue is another name for propolis. Honey and propolis were used in ancient times for embalming bodies. Honey was also utilized in folk medicine to mend wounds and provide pain relief. In pollen loads, bees collect pollen from plants and then transfer it to the hive, where they are assembled. The pollen process of moistening with nectar or honey leads to the creation of loads. The pollen used for winter supplies is deposited in the honeycomb cells, where it is subjected to lactic fermentation, which results in the production of bee bread. Both antibacterial and bacteriostatic properties can be attributed to bee bread and pollen. The glands found in the bee’s abdomen are responsible for the production of beeswax. A helpful element that is utilized in the fields of cosmetics and medicine is wax, which is derived from honeycombs. The bees generate the venom of honeybees, also known as apitoxin. Because of its medicinal and cosmetic characteristics, it is utilized in various fields. It comprises a complex combination of several peptides and mast cell degranulating peptides.
... Royal Jelly (RJ) as the product of worker bees is a natural adhesive milky material and has great features, such as hypoglycemic, antihypercholesterolemic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiaging characteristics, also promoting effects on atherosclerosis and infertility (Ahmad et al., 2020;Botezan et al., 2023;Pavel et al., 2011). ...
Irisin, a novel adipomyokine, has been proposed to be a therapeutic agent against obesity‐related metabolic disease. Royal Jelly (RJ) and tocotrienol‐rich fraction (TRF) are suggested to promote obesity and its related problems through potential mutual mechanistic pathways. This investigation intended to evaluate the glycemic and inflammation‐promoting effects of RJ, TRF, and their combinations to evaluate their synergic effects through irisin action in obese rats induced by a high‐fat diet (HFD) that underwent a calorie restriction diet (CRD). Fifty HFD‐fed obese rats received the following interventions: RJ, TRF, or RJ + TRF in combination with a CRD for eight consecutive weeks. After the investigation, body weight, fasting blood sugar (FBS), irisin, insulin, C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), leptin, adiponectin, and insulin resistance (IR) were assessed. After 8 weeks of treatment, significant weight reduction was noticed in rats that received RJ and RJ + TRF related to the CRD rats (p < .001), although this reduction was not considerable in TRF‐treated rats. RJ and RJ + TRF supplementation markedly elevated irisin concentrations in CRD rats (p < .05), but TRF did not. Glycemic indices, inflammatory indices including IL‐1β and CRP levels, and leptin concentrations were significantly decreased after RJ, TRF, and their combinations were added to CRD (p < .05). According to the mediational analysis results, irisin mediated the promoting effects of RJ on glycemic hemostasis. Based on the results of this investigation, RJ and TRF are novel nutrients that have the potential to improve obesity‐related disorders. This research suggests that RJ exerts its beneficial glycemic regulatory effects through irisin.
... Anti-aging Wrinkles (Ahmad et al., 2020;Pavel et al., 2011;Siavash et al., 2015). ...
Royal jelly (RJ), a substance secreted by the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of nurse worker bees, is widely used in medical products, dietary supplements, health foods, and cosmetics, owing to its potential health benefits. An understanding of secretory glands, such as the hypopharyngeal glands (HGs), and their interactions are necessary for RJ secretion. The RJ production cycle should be expanded for more effective production, which requires additional experience and training. However, the association between RJ secretion and HGs levels remains unclear. To close this gap, we conducted this review to investigate the most recent advancements in HGs and RJ secretion in Apis mellifera. These include techniques for enhancing RJ production, the morphology of HGs, RJ biological and effectiveness in the treatment of diseases, a comparison of the secretion of RJ signaling pathways in honey bees, associated genes, the proteins of HGs, and elements that could affect the secretion of HGs and the mechanism of RJ secretion. In order to help bee products strategy, our review may be valuable for a better understanding of the association between HGs and RJ secretion.
... The chemical composition of fresh and lyophilized royal jelly is given in The lipid content and specific fatty acids of royal jelly play an important role in the biological usefulness of the product (85,93,113). 10 hydroxy-2 decanoic acid (10-HDA), a free fatty acid specific to royal jelly, is one of the most important parameters used in determining purity and quality, as well as its biological benefits (49, 98). (Fig. 1.2) (9) When nitrogenous compounds were examined comprehensively, a total of seventeen amino acids were found in royal jelly, eight of which were essential (66). ...
... Royal jelly, produced by the cephalic glands of nurse bees, possesses a complex composition consisting of various elements and encompasses water, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, mineral salts, vitamins, enzymes, hormones, oligo-elements, and natural antibiotics [55]. A previous study reported that the incorporation of royal jelly into an emulsion did not affect formulation stability but helped enhance skin absorption without leaving a greasy film. ...
This study aimed to develop a film-forming gel containing honey aromatic water (HW) and royal jelly (RJ) for cosmetic applications as a facial peel-off mask. HW, which is industrial waste from the water-reduction process of honey, was sterilized by autoclaving and filtration through a 0.22 µm membrane. The film-forming gels were developed using various types of film-forming polymers, including polyvinyl alcohol (PVA 117), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC). The gel formulations were characterized in terms of their external appearance, viscosity, pH, and drying time, whereas the films generated were characterized by a texture analyzer, microscopic investigation, Fourier transform infrared, and an X-ray diffractometer. The findings highlighted that HW has short storage shelf life due to microbial contamination. Sterilizations were required before further product development. The film-forming gel was created by using the combination of PVA 117, CMC, and HEC. HW and RJ were successfully incorporated into the film-forming gel. However, HW resulted in a decrease in the gel viscosity and mechanical properties of its film. Interestingly, the drying time was dramatically decreased, which would be more desirable for its use as a peel-off mask. Furthermore, incorporation of royal jelly enhanced the viscosity of the gels as well as improved the mechanical properties of the film. No effect on the chemical and crystal structure of the films was detected after the incorporation. Therefore, the film-forming gels containing HW and RJ, possessing aesthetic attributes that extended to both the gels themselves and the resultant films, were suitable for use as a peel-off mask.
Royal jelly (RJ), a secretion produced by honeybees, has garnered significant interest for its potential as a therapeutic intervention and functional food supplement. This systematic review aims to synthesize current research on the health benefits, bioactive components, and mechanisms of action of RJ. Comprehensive literature searches were conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on studies published from 2000 to 2024 (April). Findings indicate that RJ exhibits a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-aging effects. Beneficial biological properties of RJ might be due to the presence of flavonoids proteins, peptides, fatty acids. Both preclinical and clinical studies have reported that RJ improves the immune function such as wound healing, and also decreases the severity of chronic diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. The molecular mechanisms underlying these effects involve modulation of signalling pathways such as NF-κB, MAPK, and AMPK. Despite promising results, the review identifies several gaps in the current knowledge, including the need for standardized dosing regimens and long-term safety assessments. Furthermore, variations in RJ composition due to geographic and botanical factors necessitate more rigorous quality control measures. This review underscores the potential of RJ as a multifunctional therapeutic agent and highlights the necessity for further well designed studies to fully elucidate its health benefits and optimize its use as a functional food supplement.
One of the bee derivatives that can be used on a regular basis is Bee Pollen. The use of Bee Pollen in cosmetics is one possibility that can come from this research. This condition has long been caused by the usage of Bee Pollen as a natural cosmetic element. Bee Pollen has specifically been used in clinical trials for allergies, along with some research into cancer and skin issues. During this step of development, Bee Pollen’s qualities can be used. Bee Pollen’s active ingredients, which are likely to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, as well as antioxidant characteristics, have been used as the foundation for the creation of multipurpose cosmetics. Because Bee Pollen is added, the primary purposes of cosmetics are, without a doubt, to hydrate, brighten, anti-wrinkle, and protect against UV A and UV B rays. In addition to its advantages, Bee Pollen can cause allergies.
Trans-2-decenoic acid has a wide range of applications, including those in medicine, food, and health care. Therefore, the industrial production of trans-2-decenoic acid is particularly important. However, few studies have focused on medium-chain unsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, we aimed to optimize the fermentation process of decanoic acid biocatalysis to synthesize trans-2-decenoic acid using an engineered Escherichia coli constructed in the laboratory. Early-stage culture and the effect of the seed liquid culture time, culture temperature, inoculum amount, induction temperature, dissolution effects of the substrate solvent, metal ions, and substrate loading on the titer of trans-2-decenoic acid were evaluated. Based on a single-factor experimental optimization, a Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used for response surface testing using the substrate feeding concentration, inducer concentration, and MnCl2 concentration as response variables and trans-2-decenoic acid production as the response value. The optimal fermentation process was as follows: Seed culture time of 20 h, culture temperature of 37 °C, inoculation amount of 1%, induction temperature of 30 °C, substrate flow of 0.15 g/L, inducer concentration of 5.60 g/L, and MnCl2 concentration of 0.10 mM. Under these conditions, the average production of trans-2-decenoic acid was 1.982 ± 0.110 g/L, which was 1.042 g/L higher than that obtained in the basic LB medium. Compared with that of the previous period, the titer of the trans-2-decenoic acid studied increased by 1.501 ± 0.110 g/L, providing a basis for further research on the fermentation process of the biocatalytic decanoic acid synthesis of trans-2-decenoic acid.
Al-Mufarrej, S.I. and El-Sarag, M.S.A. 1997. Effects of royal jelly on the humoral antibody response and blood chemistry of chickens. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 12: 41–47.The effects of royal jelly (RJ) on primary and secondary antibody responses against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and on blood chemistry were studied in 40 chickens of either sex. The birds were divided into 4 equal groups A, B, C and D, each consisting of 5 male and 5 female birds. At 8 weeks of age, the birds of groups B and C were treated each with 200 mg RJ, given orally or subcutaneously, respectively. Simultaneously, both groups, as well as group A were immunized each with 0.2 ml of 10% SRBC suspension in PBS and re- immunized 10 days later with a second similar dose. Group D served as non-immunized control. Treatment witu RJ increased antibody production against SRBC in groups B and C, as compared to group A, while non-significant changes in concentrations of electrolytes and other blood constituents were recorded in the RJ-treated birds, apart from a decrease in K and cholesterol concentrations. Further studies on these lines have been recommended.
We investigated the effects of water-soluble derivative of propolis (WSDP), caffeic acid, honey, royal jelly and bee venom on tumour development and metastasis in murine tumour models. Transplantable murine tumours were used: a spontaneous mammary carcinoma (MCa) and a methylcholanthrene–induced fibrosarcoma (FS) of CBA mouse. Metastases in the lung were generated by injecting 105 or 2 × 105 viable tumour cells intravenously. Tumours in the hind leg were generated by subcutaneous injection of 104 or 105 mammary carcinoma cells. Oral application of WSDP or caffeic acid significantly reduced subcutaneous tumour growth and prolonged survival of mice. Honey also exerted a pronounced antimetastatic effect (p < 0.01 or p < 0.001) when applied before tumour cell inoculation (2 g kg−1 orally once a day for 10 consecutive days). Royal jelly did not affect the formation of metastases when given intraperitoneally or subcutaneously. However, synchronous application of tumour cells and royal jelly intravenously significantly (p < 0.001) inhibited the formation of metastases. When bee venom was injected intratumourally, tumours decreased in size. These findings demonstrated that honey-bee products given orally or systemically may have an important role controlling tumour growth and metastasis. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Royal jelly was fractionated by ion-exchange chromatography and a protein (DIII protein) that had growth stimulating activity to the U-937 human myeloid cell line was obtained. The molecular weight of the DIII protein was 58 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The growth stimulating activity of the DIII protein was shown to be relatively heat and pH stable.
Exposure of male rabbits to heat stress during summer adversely affects their fertility leading to major production losses. A total number of 24 male rabbits were randomly divided into four experimental groups exposed to temperatures ranging from a high of 32 degrees C to a low of 23 degrees C. Animals of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th group were individually orally given 200, 400, or 800 mg royal jelly (RJ)/kg body weight once a week to evaluate the ability of RJ feeding to counteract "summer infertility" in bucks and enhance their physiological status. Royal jelly treatments significantly boosted testosterone level to 133, 143 and 124% of basal, increased ejaculated volume by 36, 31 and 18%, increased seminal plasma fructose to 122, 124, and 111%, improved sperm motility by 15, 18 and 5%, increase sperm total output by 65, 63 and 35%, reduced abnormal sperm by 24, 24 and 15% and dead sperm by 27, 25 and 17% compared to the heat stressed control animals. Serum total protein, albumin and globulin increased while serum total lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides decreased with RJ treatments. Creatinine was reduced by 5, 13 and 8% and uric acid by 4, 7 and 4%, respectively for the three doses of RJ compared to control. Alkaline phosphatase has significantly increased to reach 114, 118, and 108% of heat stressed level with the three doses of RJ, indicating the occurrence of active bone deposition. Glucose level increased significantly to reach 105, 112, and 116% of heat stressed control and both calcium and phosphorus increased significantly with RJ treatments. It was concluded that royal jelly administration to heat stressed male rabbits can counteract their "summer infertility" and improve their physiological status.
In order to study a possible immunomodulatory effect of the royal jelly (RJ) secreted by mandibular and hypopharingeal glands of the worker honeybee (Apis mellifera Linne.) we have used a well established rodent model. The CBA mice were given s.c. 0.1 ml of RJ, 7 days before, or immediately after, the immunization with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). The Y59 rats received i.m. 0.4 ml or i.v. 0.025 ml of RJ once or twice at 7 day intervals. Serum levels of total proteins and immunoglobulins in the rats that received RJ once or twice within a 2-week-period were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) as compared with the nontreated animals. In mice which were immunized with 4 x 108 of SRBC 7 days after the application of RJ the number of plaque forming splenocytes was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than that in the controls. Both the weight of inguinal lymph node and the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes were increased (P ≤ 0.05) in RJ-treated mice 3 or 5 days after the immunization, respectively. Neutrophils were decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in the mice that were killed 5 or 10 days after the RJ treatment. Overall these results indicate that RJ exhibited immunomodulatory properties by stimulating antibody production and immunocompetent cell proliferation in mice or depressing humoral immune functions in rats. Both phenomena, though species-related in this model, could probably be reversed by changing the dose or the route of RJ application.
The growth stimulating effects of a royal jelly protein (DIII protein) were studied. The DIII protein stimulated the growth of five human lymphocytic cell lines in serum-free conditions. Cell cycle analysis showed that U-937 cells cultured with the DIII protein did not arrest to the G1 phase. Furthermore, a binding assay using europium-labeled DIII protein showed U-937 cells had a large number of low affinity receptors on the cell surface.
Water extract (WSR) and an alkaline extract (ASR) were prepared from fresh royal jelly from Chinese bees. The yields were about 8.3 and 6.3% on a dry weight basis, respectively. On SDS–PAGE analysis, the protein patterns of the two extracts were very similar, but not identical. Antioxidant activities, in both extracts, increased, depending on the concentration of the sample. The scavenging activities, against superoxide radical of WSR and ASR were high, and the activities at 100 mg/ml were the same as that of 5 mM ascorbic acid. Although the activities of WSR and ASR, at 50 and 100 mg/ml, did not match that of 1 mM tocopherol, the samples scavenged hydroxyl radical to about 50–60%. This shows that the protein fractions in royal jelly have high antioxidative activity and scavenging ability against active oxygen species. Royal jelly seems applicable in both health food and medicine.
The influence of natural royal jelly (RJ) paste and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) on reproductive responses of Awassi ewes was evaluated. In May 1998, 20 Awassi ewes (aged 2–5 years and weighing 52 kg) were treated with 40 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA) impregnated intravaginal sponges for a period of 12 days. Half of the ewes were administered orally a total of 3 g RJ paste in 12 equal doses of 250 mg per day starting at FGA sponge insertion while the remaining half received no RJ paste. Ewes were exposed to two fertile Awassi rams from the time of FGA sponge removal (0 h, 0 day). Blood samples were drawn on alternate days from days 0 to 19. Five ewes per group (RJ and control) were randomly selected to receive a 50 μg GnRH injection 28 h post-sponge removal. No interactions were detected between RJ and GnRH. Incidence of estrus was greater (8/10 versus 4/10) in RJ-treated than in control ewes and intervals from 0 h to detected estrus were similar (45±4.1 h versus 55±6.7 h, respectively). Progesterone concentration increased on days 5–7 in all ewes and remained elevated through day 19 in 60% of the RJ-treated and 20% of the control ewes. These ewes lambed on average 149 days later and the number of lambs born was similar between the two groups of ewes. Regardless of RJ treatment, GnRH administration decreased (P<0.05) the interval from cessation of treatment to estrus. The first rise in plasma progesterone occurred on day 5 in GnRH-treated compared with day 7 for non-GnRH-treated ewes (P<0.05). The results demonstrate that RJ treatment in conjunction with a source of exogenous progesterone can be used to induce estrus and increase first service conception rate in sheep. Administration of GnRH reduced the interval to estrus and advanced plasma progesterone elevation.
1.1. Partially purified extracts from bees (Apis mellifera) and their separated heads cross-reacted in a porcine insulin radioimmunoassay whereas the decapitated bodies were devoid of activity.2.2. The active extracts displaced porcine insulin from rat liver insulin receptors and showed insulin-like activity with rat adipocytes which could be abolished with bovine insulin antiserum.3.3. The presence of insulin in bee royal jelly was demonstrated.4.4. Thus an insulin of close similarity to mammalian is present in the head of the bee, indicating high evolutionary conservation of the molecule.