Properties of some bee products (pollen, roe milk and bee venom), apitherapy and their effects on Covid-19

Abstract

The new type of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), caused by coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to a world pandemic due to severe acute respiratory syndrome. In addition to drug and vaccine studies for COVID-19, studies on various foods maintain to increase immunity and alternative treatment, and in this context, bee products are also being researched. Although many studies are showing that bee products have antimicrobial properties and immune-enhancing effects, there are limited studies on the effectiveness of these products against coronavirus. Some peptides in royal jelly are reported to be potent antibacterial and antifungal agents that may be beneficial for avoiding co-infections in COVID-19 patients. Positive results have been found Pollen, a fine and powder-like substance produced by flowering plants and collected by bees, in many studies investigating the effects of pollen on health such as antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory. Bee venom; It is a yellowish-colored, bitter-sweet, pungent-smelling substance that is produced in the venom sac of bees, normally in liquid form, but dries up and crystallizes after contact with air. Melittin, the primary component of bee venom having more than 40 biologically and pharmacologically active compounds including phospholipase A2, histamine, epinephrine, free amino acids, peptide and apamin, has been stated to have antitumor, antimicrobial, anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) secreted from bee and snake venom is known to have strong anti-HIV activities. Melittin, phosphorylase A2 and hyaluronidan, which are the most significant components of bee venom, constitute 50% of bee venom. Moreover, researches on the relationship between bee venom and COVID-19 are limited. The target of this review is to bring together the studies on the health effects of royal jelly, bee pollen and bee venom, and to contribute to the existing studies.