Royal Jelly Supplementation Research Articles

Impact of royal jelly to improve reproductive performance of male rabbits under hot summer conditions

To alleviate the deleterious effect of heat stress during summer conditions on male rabbits’ reproduction, 40 V Line adult rabbit bucks (on av. 8 mo old) were divided into 4 experimental groups and exposed to temperatures ranging from 23 to 36°C. Bucks in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th group were supplemented with 0, 50, 100 or 150 mg of Chinese royal jelly (RJ)/kg twice per week, respectively, over a 20-wk period. Semen quality and blood biochemical constituents were evaluated. RJ at any dose exhibited a significant increase (P<0.05) in rabbits’ sperm concentration, total sperm output, sperm motility, live sperm and normal sperm compared to the untreated controls. Plasma total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose and high density lipids (HDL) concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) boosted in the RJ groups compared to the controls. In contrast, RJ treatment resulted in a significant (P<0.05) reduction in plasma total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol and low density lipids (LDL) concentrations. Treatment with RJ significantly boosted (P<0.05) testosterone concentration in the RJ groups to reach 110, 120 and 128%, respectively, of the control group. Improved kidney and liver functions were observed in the RJ bucks groups where plasma creatinine, urea concentrations, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzyme activities were significantly (P<0.05) decreased by RJ treatments. Treating bucks subjected to heat stress by different RJ doses increased (P<0.05) total antioxidant capacity to 106, 111 and 115% of basal, but significantly reduced (P<0.05) malondialdehyde and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances compared to the untreated. It was concluded that Chinese royal jelly supplementation for heat-stressed male rabbits can counteract summer infertility and improve their physiological status.

Effects of royal jelly supplementation on glycemic control and oxidative stress factors in type 2 diabetic female: A randomized clinical trial

It has been proposed that royal jelly has antioxidant properties and may improve oxidative stress and glycemic control. Therefore, we investigated the effects of royal jelly supplementation in diabetic females. In this pilot, parallel design randomized clinical trial, 50 female volunteers with type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated to the supplemented (25, cases) and placebo (25, cases) groups, based on random block procedure produced by Random Allocation Software, given a daily dose of 1,000 mg royal jelly soft gel or placebo, respectively, for 8 weeks. Before and after intervention, glycemic control indices, antioxidant and oxidative stress factors were measured. After royal jelly supplementation, the mean fasting blood glucose decreased remarkably (163.05±42.51 mg/dL vs. 149.68±42.7 mg/dL). Royal jelly supplementation resulted in significant reduction in the mean serum glycosylated hemoglobin levels (8.67%±2.24% vs. 7.05%±1.45%, P=0.001) and significant elevation in the mean insulin concentration (70.28±29.16 pmol/L vs. 86.46±27.50 pmol/L, P=0.01). Supplementation significantly increased erythrocyte superoxidase dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and decreased malondialdehyde levels (P<0.05). At the end of study, the mean total antioxidant capacity elevated insignificantly in both groups. On the basis of our findings, it seems that royal jelly supplementation may be beneficial in controlling diabetes outcomes. Further studies with larger sample size are warranted.

The effects of royal jelly on performance and fatty acid profiles of different tissues in quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reared under high stocking density

To study the effects of royal jelly (RJ) on performance and fatty acid profiles, 168 unsexed 8-day-old quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were assigned to 4 treatment groups. Groups were arranged as follows: control (LSD; 160 cm2/quail and no supplementation), high stocking density (HSD; 80 cm2/quail and no supplementation), HSD-RJ 250 [80 cm2/quail and 250 mg/kg body weight (BW) RJ given orally], and HSD-RJ 500 (80 cm2/quail and 500 mg/kg BW RJ given orally). Body weight gain decreased significantly in the HSD group at day 42 (P < 0.01). Feed intake (FI) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were also significantly affected in the HSD group (P < 0.01). FI and FCR were improved by both doses of RJ. Both RJ doses increased total polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios in the breast, kidney (P < 0.001), leg, and liver (P < 0.05). Total saturated fatty acid ratios in leg (P < 0.01) and kidney (P < 0.05) tissues increased in the HSD group but decreased in the livers of HSD-RJ 250 group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, RJ supplementation improved performance parameters and unsaturated fatty acid ratios in the examined quail tissues.

Morfometria do aparelho genital e resposta superovulatória de coelhas suplementadas com geleia real

Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação com geleia real sobre a morfometria do aparelho genital, resposta superovulatória e qualidade embrionária de coelhas. Trinta e seis fêmeas foram distribuídas em quatro grupos (G), sendo: G1 (n=9) formado por animais não suplementados com geleia real, e G2, G3 e G4 (n=9 em cada grupo) por animais suplementados com 10, 20 e 40mg/dia de geleia real. A superovulação consistiu na aplicação de 40UI de gonadotrofina coriônica equina, seguida por 40UI de gonadotrofina coriônica humana, via intramuscular, 48 horas após, e submetidas à cobrição natural. Os animais foram sacrificados, e os embriões coletados 72 horas após a cópula. Não houve diferença estatística entre tratamentos para as variáveis analisadas. O peso médio do aparelho genital foi de 10,88±0,38g; dos ovários - direito e esquerdo -, 0,28±0,02g; e o índice gonadossomático, 0,02±0,0g. O número médio de estruturas totais recuperadas foi de 9,2±1,4; de embriões viáveis, 8,7±1,4; e de degenerados, 0,5±0,2. Dos embriões viáveis, 5,6±0,8 foram classificados como grau I; 2,3±0,5, como grau II; e 0,8±0,2, como grau III. A suplementação com geleia real na dose de até 40mg/dia não apresentou efeito estimulador sobre o aparelho genital e a qualidade embrionária de coelhas.

폐경기 노화 유도 전후의 로얄제리 식이공급이 백서 표피의 필라그린과 유리아미노산 함량 및 관련 대사 효소의 단백질 발현 변화에 미치는 영향

본 연구에서는 난소절제를 통하여 폐경기가 유도된 백서 모델에서 생산지가 다른 국내산 로얄제리 식이와 이소플라본을 식이로 공급한 후 표피의 필라그린 및 유리아미노산의 함량과 관련 대사 효소의 발현 변화를 정상대조군인 SHAM군 및 난소절제군인 OVX군과 비교·분석하였다. Profilaggrin, filaggrin 및 total filaggrin의 발현은 SHAM군> RJ2군> OVX군=IF군> RJ1군 순으로 RJ1군의 profilaggrin, filaggrin의 발현량이 가장 낮게 나타났다. Profilaggrin에서 filaggrin으로, filaggrin에서 유리아미노산으로의 분해하는 과정에 관여하는 여러 효소 중에 PAD3의 발현은 RJ2군에서 가장 높았으나 SHAM군을 비롯하여 OVX군, RJ1군, IF군에서는 군간 유의성이 없었다. 전체 유리아미노산의 함량은 SHAM군에 비해 OVX군에서 다소 감소하였으나 RJ1군 및 IF군에서 SHAM군보다 높게 나타났다. 특히 RJ1군에서 aspartate와 proline의 함량이 SHAM군에 비해 현저히 높아졌다. 결론적으로 RJ1군에서는 filaggrin의 함량 감소가 있었지만 표피 보습 유지기능이 있는 aspartate 및 proline을 비롯한 전체 유리아미노산의 함량이 높아졌다. RJ1군의 로얄제리가 폐경으로 인해 감소되는 표피의 보습인자 중 궁극적으로 피부 보습에 관여하는 천연보습인자의 유리아미노산의 발현을 증가시켜 손상된 표피의 장벽기능 보완에 긍정적 영향을 보였다. RJ2군은 profilaggrin, filaggrin을 포함한 total filaggrin의 함량이 증가되었으나 그 분해산물인 유리아미노산의 함량은 SHAM군과 유사하였다. RJ2군의 로얄제리가 유리아미노산의 전구단백질의 발현 증가를 야기하나 유리아미노산으로의 분해는 촉진시키지 못하였음을 시사한다. 이는 산지별 로얄제리의 피부 보습 기능에 미치는 영향이 다르게 나타날 수 있음을 의미하며 추후 각 산지별 유효성분의 분석과 함께 관련 효능에 대한 연구가 이루어질 필요성이 있다. 본 연구에서 국내산 로얄제리의 식이 공급이 피부 보습 관련 건강기능식품 개발 소재로서의 가능성이 있을 것으로 사료된다.

Royal Jelly improves the sperm parameters of ram semen during liquid storage and serves as an antioxidant source

The current study was carried out to investigate the protective effects of the Royal Jelly (RJ) supplementation on the sperm kinematics, plasma membrane functionality, the level of produced nitric oxide (NO) and total antioxidant capacity during the liquid storage of ram semen at 4°C, for various periods of time (0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120h). Semen samples were collected from four rams and pooled, diluted with Tris–egg yolk extender without RJ (control) or supplemented with different concentrations of RJ (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2%), at a final concentration of 200×106sperm/mL. Sperm viability, kinematics and membrane functionality were determined by nigrosin–eosin staining, computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), and by using the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST), respectively. Additionally, the oxidative and nitrosative status were evaluated after the RJ supplementation. The RJ supplementation resulted in a significant (P<0.05) increase of sperm viability with the highest increase at 1% RJ concentration for 120h. A significant protective effect of RJ on sperm membrane functionality was obtained at lower concentrations (0.5 and 1%) and in all incubated time points. The most prominent protective effect of RJ on sperm motility parameters was found on the progressive velocity (VSL) as after 72h storage, no significant reduction was found in comparison to the 50% reduction in the control group. The produced NO level during storage time was reduced by addition of RJ at low concentrations (0.5 and 1%). Our data suggest that the RJ supplementation at lower concentrations (0.5 and 1%) improves the ram sperm kinetics and plasma membrane functionality during the liquid and cold storage. Moreover, the protective effect of RJ might be attributed to its antioxidative/antinitrosative capacities.

Dietary effect of royal jelly supplementation on epidermal levels of hydration, filaggrins, free amino acids and the related enzyme expression in UV irradiated hairless mice

Dietary effect of royal jelly supplementation on epidermal levels of hydration, filaggrins, free amino acids and the related enzyme expression in UV irradiated hairless mice

Effects of royal jelly supplementation on body weight and dietary intake in type 2 diabetic females.

The objective of the current study was to assess the effects of royal jelly supple-mentation on body weight, total daily energy and macronutrients intakes in type2 diabetic fe-males. In this randomized clinical trial, fifty female volunteers with type2 diabetes were as-signed into the supplemented (n=25) and placebo (n=25) groups, given a daily dose of 1000 mg royal jelly soft gel or placebo, for 8 weeks, respectively. Before and after the intervention, body weight and height of subjects were measured and body mass index was calculated. Dietary intake of patients was assessed using 24-hour food recall questionnaire for three non consecutive days (including 1 weekend day) and analyzed with Nutritionist IV software. The normally distributed data were compared using paired and independent t-tests, where appropriate. Royal jelly supplementation significantly (P<0.01) decreased the mean body weight (72.45±4.42 vs. 71.00±6.44 kg) while it increased insignificantly in placebo group (73.02±6.44 vs 73.52±6.80 kg). Royal jelly supplementation resulted in significant decrease of mean daily total energy (P<0.01) and carbohydrate (P<0.01) intakes, while in placebo group the mean daily total energy and fat intakes were increased significantly (P<0.05). Supplementation with royal jelly may be beneficial in weight management of di-abetic patients.

English

&nbsp; This study aims to investigate the effects of different levels of royal jelly supplementation on biochemical parameters in swimmers. Randomly selected 40 male swimmers aged 18 to 25 years attending the same trainings were recruited. Swimmers were assigned to 4 groups each with 10 subjects. Varying amounts of royal jelly (2, 1 g and 500 mg) were given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups and placebo (corn starch) to the 4th group. Participants were trained by swimming totally 20 km in 2 h on 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Resting blood samples were taken before royal jelly administration and after 30 days of application. Then biochemical analyses were performed. Different levels of royal jelly were found to be ineffective on glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of the swimmers. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels increased after the training program, and BUN level was higher in the group receiving 500 mg royal jelly than those in the other groups. The increment in creatinine levels was higher in those groups receiving higher amounts of royal jelly after the training. A supplementation of 500 mg, 1 and 2 g/day of royal jelly throughout the 30 day-exercise program was not significantly effective in the swimmers. Also, due to its high amino acid content, BUN and creatinine levels tended to increase. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Royal jelly, swimming, exercise, biochemical parameters, ergogenic aids.

Protective Effect of Royal Jelly and Green Tea Extracts Effect Against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Mice: A Comparative Study

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective role of royal jelly (RJ) and green tea (GT) extracts on cisplatin (cDDP)-induced nephrotoxicity in adult albino mice. Albino mice were randomly divided into six groups: Group I (control) received a single intraperitoneal injection of isotonic saline (0.02 mL/g), Group II received a single intraperitoneal injection of cDDP (7 mg/kg of body weight), Group III received RJ (100 mg/kg of body weight), Group IV received GT (100 mg/kg of body weight), Group V received RJ (100 mg/kg of body weight) + cDDP (7 mg/kg of body weight), and Group VI received GT (100 mg/kg of body weight) + cDDP (7 mg/kg of body weight). The concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were evaluated. In addition, kidney samples were taken for determination of tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. In addition, histopathological changes in kidneys were investigated. The results indicated that no significant differences in MDA, GSH, BUN, and creatinine levels were observed among the control group and groups treated with RJ alone and GT alone (P > .05). However, there was a significant increase in BUN and creatinine parameters after cDDP application in Groups II, V, and VI. The mice treated with only cDDP exhibited an increase in serum BUN and creatinine levels when compared to Groups V and VI (P < .05). Moreover, cDDP-induced oxidative damage caused a significant decrease in GSH levels and a significant increase in MDA levels in kidneys (P < .05). RJ and GT supplementation attenuated cDDP-induced nephrotoxicity, which was manifested by stopping the elevation in serum creatinine and BUN levels. Moreover, RJ and GT supplementation restored GSH content and MDA production levels in the kidney tissue following cDDP treatment (P < .05). These products were also effective in protecting against cDDP-induced tissue damage in mouse kidneys. In conclusion, 100 mg/kg of body weight doses of RJ and GT provided protection against cDDP-induced nephrotoxicity, and both products can act as protector agents against cDDP-induced kidney damages.

Royal Jelly Supplementation Improves Lipoprotein Metabolism in Humans

Royal jelly (RJ) has several physiological effects and is widely used in commercial medical products and health foods. We examined the effects of RJ supplementation on serum lipoprotein metabolism in humans. Fifteen volunteers were divided into an RJ intake group (n=7) and a control group (n=8). The RJ group took 6 g per day for 4 wk. Their serum total cholesterol (TC) and serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) decreased significantly compared with those of the control group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or triglyceride concentrations. Moreover, the relationship between the serum cholesterol and lipoprotein levels was investigated. Among the lipoprotein fractions, small very-low-density lipoprotein was decreased (p<0.05) after RJ intake. Our results suggest that dietary RJ decreases TC and LDL by lowering small VLDL levels.