Piperine as a new natural supplement with beneficial effects on the life-span and defence system of honeybees

Abstract

Many factors, including pathogens, environmental change and breeding techniques, affect honeybee immunity/resistance, so substances and natural supplements that enhance it are desired. To eliminate the impact of unknown external factors, in 2016 a cage experiment was conducted under constant laboratory conditions (35 °C, 65% relative humidity). Bees in the control group were fed with sugar dissolved in water at ratio 1:1 ad libitum with no additives, while the other group was fed with sugar syrup (1:1) supplemented with piperine (3 µg/ml) ad libitum. The piperine-treated workers lived 9 days longer compared to the control group. In the piperine-consuming group, protein concentration and the activities of antioxidative enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), were higher than in the control group. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also higher in the piperine-treated group. Neutral and acidic proteases inhibitors, as well as neutral protease activities, were higher in the haemolymph of the piperine-treated workers than in untreated bees. Acidic protease activities in the haemolymph were higher in untreated workers only on days 18 and 32. Alkaline protease activities in the control bees were higher from day 10. From 10 days old, the total antioxidant capacity level was significantly higher in the haemolymph of piperine-treated workers. Piperine decreased DNA methylation levels significantly in the older bees. The compound could have the potential to be a natural diet supplement increasing apian resistance to stress factors.

Reproductive Potential Impacts Body Maintenance Parameters and Global DNA Methylation in Honeybee Workers (Apis mellifera L.)

“…Amarasinghe et al [48] revealed the differences in the genome methylation between reproductive and non-reproductive queenless workers in Bombus terrestris as well. Moreover, the level of global DNA methylation in normal workers in our study is similar as in the publications by Strachecka et al [19,20,49,50], Paleolog et al [18], Schulz et al [51]. Biostimulants and herbs reduce the level of global DNA methylation, while pesticides, acaricides, and other anthropogenic factors increase it at a certain age stage of bees [18][19][20]49,[52][53][54].…”

The Herbal Supplements NOZEMAT HERB® and NOZEMAT HERB PLUS®: An Alternative Therapy for N. ceranae Infection and Its Effects on Honey Bee Strength and Production Traits

“…These eleutherosides increase phenoloxidase (PO, a major defense enzyme in many invertebrates) in hemolymph and inhibit the development of fungal spores. The piperine (an alkaloid in the roots of the Piperaceae family) and curcumin (a natural phenol produced by Curcuma longa ) are known as natural supplements which increase the activity of the antioxidant system in honey bees [ 89 , 90 ]. They promote the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase, which reduces oxidative stress [ 91 ].…”

The Effect of Supplementary Feeding with Different Pollens in Autumn on Colony Development under Natural Environment and In Vitro Lifespan of Honey Bees

“…In the beekeeping sector, pollen and supplementary feeding with honey are used to prevent hunger and to develop a higher population in bee colonies in spring, by providing for brood formation in autumn and the beginning of winter in the young worker bee population, and in queen and drone breeding, in order to have healthier colonies and prevent loss of bees after using agricultural chemicals in plant production [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Especially, the composition and ratio of nutrients affect the longevity of honey bees [ 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”