Review on Bee Products as Potential Protective and Therapeutic Agents in Male Reproductive Impairment

Bee products are sources of functional food that have been used in complementary medicine to treat a variety of acute and chronic illnesses in many parts of the world. The products vary from location to location as well as country to country. Therefore, the aim of this review was to identify various bee products with potential preventive and therapeutic values used in the treatment of male reproductive impairment. We undertook a vigorous search for bee products with preventive and therapeutic values for the male reproductive system. These products included honey, royal jelly, bee pollen, bee brood, apilarnil, bee bread, bee wax, and bee venom. We also explained the mechanisms involved in testicular steroidogenesis, reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, which may cumulatively lead to male reproductive impairment. The effects of bee pollen, bee venom, honey, propolis, royal jelly, and bee bread on male reproductive parameters were examined. Conclusively, these bee products showed positive effects on the steroidogenic, spermatogenic, oxidative stress, inflammatory, and apoptotic parameters, thereby making them a promising possible preventive and therapeutic treatment of male sub/infertility.

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Effects of Royal Jelly Administration on Lipid Profile, Satiety, Inflammation, and Antioxidant Capacity in Asymptomatic Overweight Adults

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2019/4969720 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ana Petelin ◽

Saša Kenig ◽

Rok Kopinč ◽

Matjaž Deželak ◽

Maša Černelič Bizjak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Lipid Profile ◽

Royal Jelly ◽

Inflammatory Marker ◽

Control Group ◽

General Interest ◽

Peripheral Tissues ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Overweight Adults

Objectives. Obesity and overweight are chronic disorders of multifactorial origin that are characterized by high oxidative status and by chronic activation of macrophages in peripheral tissues. Effective therapeutic approaches to lower inflammation and oxidative stress are currently of general interest. Royal jelly (RJ) is a functional food with a broad range of pharmacological activities, mainly used by healthy individuals or borderline patients to protect themselves against disease onset. The objective of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to investigate the effects of RJ supplementation on metabolic profile and oxidative and inflammatory parameters in asymptomatic overweight adults, considered at an early stage of developing metabolic syndrome. Material and Methods. The experimental group (n=30) was given RJ and the control group (n=30) was provided with a placebo for eight weeks. Anthropometric, biochemical parameters, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and inflammation were assessed at baseline, after 4 and 8 weeks of the intervention, and after additional 2 weeks of follow up. Results and Conclusion. Compared with the placebo, RJ supplementation demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol (6.7%; p=0.041) and inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (19%; p=0.027), whereas significant increases were observed in anti-inflammatory marker adiponectin (34%; p=0.011), endogenous antioxidants bilirubin (35%; p=0.002) and uric acid (5%; p=0.018), total antioxidant capacity in serum (54%; p=0.005), and leptin (17%; p=0.025). The present study demonstrated positive effects of RJ administration on lipid profile, satiety, inflammation, and antioxidant capacity in overweight adults. Therefore, our study supports the benefits of RJ supplementation for the improvement of human health.

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Nutraceuticals against Oxidative Stress in Autoimmune Disorders

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10020261 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 261

Author(s):

Carmen Mannucci ◽

Marco Casciaro ◽

Emanuela Elisa Sorbara ◽

Fabrizio Calapai ◽

Eleonora Di Salvo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Autoimmune Disorders ◽

Chronic Illnesses ◽

Antioxidant Systems ◽

Oxidative Stress Biomarkers ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Dietary Antioxidant ◽

Wide Range

Antioxidant mechanisms are constituted of enzymes, endogenous, and non-enzymatic, exogenous, which have the role of counterbalancing oxidative stress. Intake of these compounds occurs in the diet. Vegetables, plants, and fruits contain a wide range of alkaloids, polyphenols, and terpenoids which are called “phytochemicals”. Most of these substances are responsible for the positive properties of fruits and vegetables, which are an essential part of a healthy life with roles in ameliorating chronic illnesses and favoring longevity. Nutraceuticals are substances contained in a food or fragment of it influencing health with positive effects on health helping in precenting or treating disorders. We conducted a review illustrating the principal applications of nutraceuticals in autoimmune disorders. Literature reported several studies about exogenous dietary antioxidant supplementation in diverse autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. In these pathologies, promising results were obtained in some cases. Positive outcomes were generally associated with a reduction of oxidative stress parameters and a boost to antioxidant systems, and sometimes with anti-inflammatory effects. The administration of exogenous substances through food derivates or dietary supplements following scientific standardization was demonstrated to be effective. Further bias-free and extended studies should be conducted that include ever-increasing oxidative stress biomarkers.

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The Beekeeping State and Inventory of Mellifero-Medicinal Plants in the North-Central of Morocco

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2021/9039726 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Meryem Bakour ◽

Hassan Laaroussi ◽

Nawal El menyiy ◽

Tarik Elaraj ◽

Asmae El ghouizi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medicinal Plants ◽

Agricultural Economic ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Royal Jelly ◽

Economic Approach ◽

North Central ◽

Bee Pollen ◽

The North ◽

Bee Bread ◽

Set Up

This study aims to determine the diversity of melliferous plants and to recognize the state of beekeeping in the Fez-Meknes region in Morocco. We conducted a questionnaire for beekeepers that set up their hives in the prefectures and provinces of the region, and we have studied the pharmacological evidence of the most preferred plants by beekeepers to assess its medicinal values. The results indicate that honey, bee pollen, bee bread, royal jelly, propolis, bee wax, bee venom, and bee queens are produced in this region with different percentages, and 102 plants belonging to 32 families were obtained in the inventory of melliferous plants; the most represented families were Asteraceae and Lamiaceae (13.73% each) followed by Rosaceae (8.82%). Among these 102 plants identified, 79 plants provide nectar and pollen for bees, 16 plants provide only pollen, 3 plants provide only nectar, 35 plants are resinous, and 6 plants provide honeydew for bees. The outcome of this study will contribute to the valuation of melliferous plants and help to establish a practical guide for the development of the beekeeping sector as an agricultural economic approach.

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Apitherapy for Age-Related Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction (Sarcopenia): A Review on the Effects of Royal Jelly, Propolis, and Bee Pollen

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods9101362 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1362 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Amira Mohammed Ali ◽

Hiroshi Kunugi

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Metabolic Regulation ◽

Royal Jelly ◽

Experimental Models ◽

Laboratory Animals ◽

Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽

Bee Pollen ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Age Related ◽

Catabolic Genes

The global pandemic of sarcopenia, skeletal muscle loss and weakness, which prevails in up to 50% of older adults is increasing worldwide due to the expansion of aging populations. It is now striking young and midlife adults as well because of sedentary lifestyle and increased intake of unhealthy food (e.g., western diet). The lockdown measures and economic turndown associated with the current outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are likely to increase the prevalence of sarcopenia by promoting sedentarism and unhealthy patterns of eating. Sarcopenia has multiple detrimental effects including falls, hospitalization, disability, and institutionalization. Although a few pharmacological agents (e.g., bimagrumab, sarconeos, and exercise mimetics) are being explored in different stages of trials, not a single drug has been approved for sarcopenia treatment. Hence, research has focused on testing the effect of nutraceuticals, such as bee products, as safe treatments to prevent and/or treat sarcopenia. Royal jelly, propolis, and bee pollen are common bee products that are rich in highly potent antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenols, and amino acids. These products, in order, stimulate larval development into queen bees, promote defenses of the bee hive against microbial and environmental threats, and increase royal jelly production by nurse bees. Thanks to their versatile pharmacological activities (e.g., anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, etc.), these products have been used to treat multiple chronic conditions that predispose to muscle wasting such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorder, and cancer, to name a few. They were also used in some evolving studies to treat sarcopenia in laboratory animals and, to a limited degree, in humans. However, a collective understanding of the effect and mechanism of action of these products in skeletal muscle is not well-developed. Therefore, this review examines the literature for possible effects of royal jelly, bee pollen, and propolis on skeletal muscle in aged experimental models, muscle cell cultures, and humans. Collectively, data from reviewed studies denote varying levels of positive effects of bee products on muscle mass, strength, and function. The likely underlying mechanisms include amelioration of inflammation and oxidative damages, promotion of metabolic regulation, enhancement of satellite stem cell responsiveness, improvement of muscular blood supply, inhibition of catabolic genes, and promotion of peripheral neuronal regeneration. This review offers suggestions for other mechanisms to be explored and provides guidance for future trials investigating the effects of bee products among people with sarcopenia.

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Recent Updates in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders Using Natural Compounds

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2014/979730 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Mahmood Rasool ◽

Arif Malik ◽

Muhammad Saeed Qureshi ◽

Abdul Manan ◽

Peter Natesan Pushparaj ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Side Effects ◽

Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽

Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽

Therapeutic Agents ◽

Chronic Illnesses ◽

Biological Processes ◽

Brain Disorders ◽

Synthetic Drugs ◽

The Central Nervous System

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by protein aggregates and inflammation as well as oxidative stress in the central nervous system (CNS). Multiple biological processes are linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as depletion or insufficient synthesis of neurotransmitters, oxidative stress, abnormal ubiquitination. Furthermore, damaging of blood brain barrier (BBB) in the CNS also leads to various CNS-related diseases. Even though synthetic drugs are used for the management of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autism, and many other chronic illnesses, they are not without side effects. The attentions of researchers have been inclined towards the phytochemicals, many of which have minimal side effects. Phytochemicals are promising therapeutic agents because many phytochemicals have anti-inflammatory, antioxidative as well as anticholinesterase activities. Various drugs of either synthetic or natural origin applied in the treatment of brain disorders need to cross the BBB before they can be used. This paper covers various researches related to phytochemicals used in the management of neurodegenerative disorders.

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Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside Attenuates OGD/R-Induced Damage by Preventing Oxidative Stress and Neuronal Apoptosis via the SIRT1/FOXO1/PGC-1α Pathway in HT22 Cells

Neural Plasticity ◽

10.1155/2019/8798069 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Xiangli Yan ◽

Aiming Yu ◽

Haozhen Zheng ◽

Shengxin Wang ◽

Yingying He ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Neuronal Apoptosis ◽

Ischemia Reperfusion ◽

Glucose Deprivation ◽

Pathological Process ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Ht22 Cells ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Antioxidant Stress

Neuronal apoptosis induced by oxidative stress is a major pathological process that occurs after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (CG) is a representative component of isoflavones in Radix Astragali (RA). Previous studies have shown that CG has potential neuroprotective effects. However, whether CG alleviates neuronal apoptosis through antioxidant stress after ischemia-reperfusion remains unknown. To investigate the positive effects of CG on oxidative stress and apoptosis of neurons, we simulated the ischemia-reperfusion process in vitro using an immortalized hippocampal neuron cell line (HT22) and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model. CG significantly improved cell viability and reduced oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis. In addition, CG treatment upregulated the expression of SIRT1, FOXO1, PGC-1α, and Bcl-2 and downregulated the expression of Bax. In summary, our findings indicate that CG alleviates OGD/R-induced damage via the SIRT1/FOXO1/PGC-1α signaling pathway. Thus, CG maybe a promising therapeutic candidate for brain injury associated with ischemic stroke.

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Metabolic Changes and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Kidney Disease

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10071143 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1143

Author(s):

Midori Sakashita ◽

Tetsuhiro Tanaka ◽

Reiko Inagi

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Diabetic Kidney Disease ◽

Renin Angiotensin System ◽

Therapeutic Agents ◽

Metabolic Changes ◽

Diabetic Kidney ◽

Glucose Levels ◽

Patients With Diabetes

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major cause of end-stage kidney disease, and it is crucial to understand the pathophysiology of DKD. The control of blood glucose levels by various glucose-lowering drugs, the common use of inhibitors of the renin–angiotensin system, and the aging of patients with diabetes can alter the disease course of DKD. Moreover, metabolic changes and associated atherosclerosis play a major role in the etiology of DKD. The pathophysiology of DKD is largely attributed to the disruption of various cellular stress responses due to metabolic changes, especially an increase in oxidative stress. Therefore, many antioxidants have been studied as therapeutic agents. Recently, it has been found that NRF2, a master regulator of oxidative stress, plays a major role in the pathogenesis of DKD and bardoxolone methyl, an activator of NRF2, has attracted attention as a drug that increases the estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with DKD. This review outlines the altered stress responses of cellular organelles in DKD, their involvement in the pathogenesis of DKD, and discusses strategies for developing therapeutic agents, especially bardoxolone methyl.

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Beehive Products as Antibacterial Agents: A Review

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10060717 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 717

Author(s):

Rita Abou Nader ◽

Rawan Mackieh ◽

Rim Wehbe ◽

Dany El El Obeid ◽

Jean Marc Sabatier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Antibacterial Agents ◽

Royal Jelly ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Vital Role ◽

Bee Venom ◽

Bacterial Strains ◽

Wide Range ◽

Life Threatening

Honeybees are one of the most marvelous and economically beneficial insects. As pollinators, they play a vital role in every aspect of the ecosystem. Beehive products have been used for thousands of years in many cultures for the treatment of various diseases. Their healing properties have been documented in many religious texts like the Noble Quran and the Holy Bible. Honey, bee venom, propolis, pollen and royal jelly all demonstrated a richness in their bioactive compounds which make them effective against a variety of bacterial strains. Furthermore, many studies showed that honey and bee venom work as powerful antibacterial agents against a wide range of bacteria including life-threatening bacteria. Several reports documented the biological activities of honeybee products but none of them emphasized on the antibacterial activity of all beehive products. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the antibacterial activity of honey, bee venom, propolis, pollen and royal jelly, that are produced by honeybees.

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Neuroprotective Benefits of Exercise and MitoQ on Memory Function, Mitochondrial Dynamics, Oxidative Stress, and Neuroinflammation in D-Galactose-Induced Aging Rats

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11020164 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 164

Author(s):

Jae-Hoon Jeong ◽

Jung-Hoon Koo ◽

Jang Soo Yook ◽

Joon-Yong Cho ◽

Eun-Bum Kang

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Nadph Oxidase ◽

Learning And Memory ◽

Oxidase Activity ◽

Mitochondrial Dynamics ◽

Nadph Oxidase Activity ◽

Aging Rats ◽

Positive Effects

Exercise and antioxidants have health benefits that improve cognitive impairment and may act synergistically. In this study, we examined the effects of treadmill exercise (TE) and mitochondria-targeted antioxidant mitoquinone (MitoQ), individually or combined, on learning and memory, mitochondrial dynamics, NADPH oxidase activity, and neuroinflammation and antioxidant activity in the hippocampus of D-galactose-induced aging rats. TE alone and TE combined with MitoQ in aging rats reduced mitochondrial fission factors (Drp1, Fis1) and increased mitochondrial fusion factors (Mfn1, Mfn2, Opa1). These groups also exhibited improved NADPH oxidase activity and antioxidant activity (SOD-2, catalase). TE or MitoQ alone decreased neuroinflammatory response (COX-2, TNF-α), but the suppression was greater with their combination. In addition, aging-increased neuroinflammation in the dentate gyrus was decreased in TE but not MitoQ treatment. Learning and memory tests showed that, contrarily, MitoQ alone demonstrated some similar effects to TE but not a definitive improvement. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that MitoQ exerted some positive effects on aging when used as an isolated treatment, but TE had a more effective role on cognitive impairment, oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondria dysfunction. Our findings suggest that the combination of TE and MitoQ exerted no synergistic effects and indicated regular exercise should be the first priority in neuroprotection of age-related cognitive decline.

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Endothelial Dysfunction in Diabetes Mellitus: Possible Involvement of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress?

Experimental Diabetes Research ◽

10.1155/2012/481840 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Basma Basha ◽

Samson Mathews Samuel ◽

Chris R. Triggle ◽

Hong Ding

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽

Endothelial Dysfunction ◽

Er Stress ◽

Vascular Complications ◽

Cardiovascular Complications ◽

Therapeutic Agents ◽

Recent Past

The vascular complications of diabetes mellitus impose a huge burden on the management of this disease. The higher incidence of cardiovascular complications and the unfavorable prognosis among diabetic individuals who develop such complications have been correlated to the hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and associated endothelial dysfunction. Although antioxidants may be considered as effective therapeutic agents to relieve oxidative stress and protect the endothelium, recent clinical trials involving these agents have shown limited therapeutic efficacy in this regard. In the recent past experimental evidence suggest that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the endothelial cells might be an important contributor to diabetes-related vascular complications. The current paper contemplates the possibility of the involvement of ER stress in endothelial dysfunction and diabetes-associated vascular complications.

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