Royal jelly decreases corticosterone levels and improves the brain antioxidant system in restraint and cold stressed rats

Abstract

Restraint and cold stress induces the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to release corticosterone from the adrenal gland, which can worsen the antioxidant defense system in the central nervous system. Here, we investigated the corticosterone levels and the antioxidant defense system in the cerebellum and brain, as well as in its isolated regions, such as cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus of stressed rats supplemented with royal jelly (RJ). Wistar rats were supplemented with RJ for 14days and the stress induction started on the 7th day. Stressed rats increased corticosterone levels, glycemia and lipid peroxidation in the brain and cerebellum, cerebral cortex and hippocampus besides reduced glutathione defense system in the brain and striatum. Rats supplemented with RJ decreased corticosterone, maintained glycemia and decreased lipid peroxidation in the brain, cerebellum, as well as striatum and hippocampus, besides improved glutathione defense system in cerebral cortex and striatum. This study suggests an anti-stress and neuroprotective effect of RJ under stress conditions.

Effects of Royal Jelly on the Prefrontal Cortex in a Rat - Morphine Toxicity Model

“…24 It seems that morphine induces oxidative stress, thereby producing free radicals which cause cell damage. 9 The free radicals generated following oxidative stress may have the potential to damage cellular compositions, including proteins, lipids, and DNA. 1 The lipid in the membrane of the nerve cells has a high content of oxidized unsaturated fatty acids.…”

“…The sixth to eighth groups were Morphine + RJ groups, were each animal received 100 and 200 mg/kg of RJ once daily via gavage plus morphine intraperitoneally, on days 1-20. 6,7,9 Animals In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats (weighing 220-250 g) were purchased from the Pasteur Institute and transferred to the animal house in medical school. During the study, the animals were kept under standard conditions (i.e., 12 h light/12 h dark and 22 ± 2℃), humidity of 50%-60%, in special cages and on a straw bed.…”

“…6 Furthermore, Teixeira et al indicated that the administration of RJ improved the brain antioxidant system in rats. 7 Opioids produce free radicals and cause apoptosis in certain cells. Morphine is an opioid analgesic drug, and the main psychoactive chemical in opium.…”

“…8 It is addictive and causes physiological dependence, which spreads throughout the brain tissues in 10-20 seconds. 9,10 It then rapidly passes through the blood-brain barrier, and can regulate brain neurotransmitters, including catecholamine and serotonin A. 11 Meanwhile, dopaminergic structure shows a significant role in controlling the memory.…”

Royal jelly: a natural therapeutic?

“…In an example study of Makino et al [29], it was found that RJ substances had a direct regulatory effect on expression of superoxide dismutase. In another study on central nervous system, significant positive activities of RJ on glutathione mechanisms were stated [30]. However, there are also reports, which cause suspicion about these specialties of RJ [31].…”