Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of stingless bee honey (SBH) supplementation on memory and learning in mice. Despite many studies that show the benefits of honey on memory, reports on the nootropic effects of SBH are still lacking, and their underlying mechanism is still unclear. SBH is a honey produced by the bees in the tribe of Meliponini that exist in tropical countries. It features unique storage of honey collected in cerumen pots made of propolis. This SBH may offer a better prospect for therapeutic performance as the previous report identifies the presence of antioxidants that were greater than other honey produced by Apis sp. In this study, SBH was tested on Swiss albino mice following acute (7 days) and semichronic (35 days) supplementation. Experiments were then conducted using Morris water maze (MWM) behaviour analysis, RT-PCR for gene expression of mice striatum, and NMR for metabolomics analysis of the honey. Results indicate spatial working memory and spatial reference memory of mice were significantly improved in the honey-treated group compared with the control group. Improved memory consolidations were also observed in prolonged supplementation. Gene expression analyses of acutely treated mice demonstrated significant upregulation of BDNF and Itpr1 genes that involve in synaptic function. NMR analysis also identified phenylalanine, an essential precursor for tyrosine that plays a role at the BDNF receptor. In conclusion, SBH supplementation for seven days at 2000 mg/kg, which is equivalent to a human dose of 162 mg/kg, showed strong capabilities to improve spatial working memory. And prolonged intake up to 35 days increased spatial reference memory in the mice model. The phenylalanine in SBH may have triggered the upregulation of BDNF genes in honey-treated mice and improved their spatial memory performance.
Highlights
E physicochemical and antioxidant properties reported from this honey include the presence of flavonoids and carotenoids, and it is higher than other various types of Malaysian honey produced by the Apis sp. variety more commonly known in honey production [3]
Spatial learning involves the formation of two subtypes of spatial memory: spatial working memory and spatial reference memory [35]
Spatial memory is a type of episodic memory because it is a conscious collection of the past events
Summary
Known as meliponini, trigona, sugar bag, or pot honey, is a precious product of the stingless bee, which produces propolis and fermented pollen. e honey is produced by the stingless bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, and Meliponini), which are the largest groups of eusocial bees on earth and can be found in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world such as Brazil and other parts of South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative MedicineNorthern Australia [1]. e bee is not commonly fed and flies within a range of 1000 meter radius to extract floral nectars and nonfloral nectars and sap from flowers, leaves, tree trunks, and fresh fruits. e production of this honey is known for its distinct flavour and aroma, with a fluid texture and slow crystallization [2]. Known as meliponini, trigona, sugar bag, or pot honey, is a precious product of the stingless bee, which produces propolis and fermented pollen. E physicochemical and antioxidant properties reported from this honey include the presence of flavonoids and carotenoids, and it is higher than other various types of Malaysian honey produced by the Apis sp. Despite positive studies reported on honey bees from Apis sp., there is still a lack of investigation on the neurological effects of stingless bee honey. This gap requires more research and investigation
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