Abstract
In this study, the effects of Astragalus membranaceus oral solution on lifespan and learning and memory abilities of honey bees were evaluated. Two groups of bees were fed with sucrose syrup (50%) containing low dose (1.33%) and high dose (13.3%) of A. membranaceus oral solution, respectively. The proboscis extension response (PER) analysis was applied to examine the learning and memory capabilities of bees. Two genes related to memory formation in honey bees were determined by real-time PCR. High dose (13.3%) of A. membranaceus significantly decreased the mean lifespan of bees compared to the bees fed with low dose (1.33%) and control bees. No significant differences in lifespan of bees were found between low-dose-fed bees and control bees. The results of PER experiments showed apparent improvement in the memorizing ability of the high-dose group (in comparison with the control group). Moreover, the relative expression levels of Nmdar1 in the low-dose group and control group were significantly lower than those in the high-dose group. It is preliminarily concluded that A. membranaceus has an adverse effect on the mean lifespan of honey bees but might be helpful in strengthening memories.
Highlights
Astragalus membranaceus (Huang-Qi) is a well-known tonic herbal medicine [1]
Bees from each colony were separated into 3 groups in wooden cages (14 × 12 × 16 cm). 50% sucrose water containing low dose (1.33%) and high dose (13.3%) of Astragalus membranaceus oral solution was fed to the 2 groups, respectively, and control bees were fed only 50% sucrose water
We found that using mammals to observe for the possible side effects of long-term use of A. membranaceus is not sufficiently convincing, since the experimental cycles of 90 to 180 days do not cover the entire lifespan of the animals
Summary
Astragalus membranaceus (Huang-Qi) is a well-known tonic herbal medicine [1]. In China and Southeast Asia, it has been widely applied for cancer and immune disorder treatments for thousands of years [2,3,4,5,6]. It is used in Asian cuisine because of its rich nutritional values [7]. Researchers have found that Huang-Qi could speed up the growths and increase the body weights of silkworms; it would reduce the in vitro secretion of silk protein, shortening the lifespan of silkworm moth [12]
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