Royal Jelly Enhances the Ability of Myoblast C2C12 Cells to Differentiate into Multilineage Cells

Abstract

Royal jelly (RJ) is recognized as beneficial to mammalian health. Multilineage differentiation potential is an important property of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). C2C12 cells have an innate ability to differentiate into myogenic cells. Like MSCs, C2C12 cells can also differentiate into osteoblast- and adipocyte-lineage cells. We recently reported that RJ enhances the myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells. However, the effect of RJ on osteoblast or adipocyte differentiation is still unknown. Here in this study, we have examined the effect of RJ on the osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation of C2C12 cells. Protease-treated RJ was used to reduce the adverse effects caused by RJ supplementation. To induce osteoblast or adipocyte differentiation, cells were treated with bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist, respectively. RNA-seq was used to analyze the effect of RJ on gene expression. We found that RJ stimulates osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation. RJ regulated 279 genes. RJ treatment upregulated glutathione-related genes. Glutathione, the most abundant antioxidative factor in cells, has been shown to promote osteoblast differentiation in MSC and MSC-like cells. Therefore, RJ may promote osteogenesis, at least in part, through the antioxidant effects of glutathione. RJ enhances the differentiation ability of C2C12 cells into multiple lineages, including myoblasts, osteoblasts, and adipocytes.

Royal Jelly: Biological Action and Health Benefits

“…Bouamama et al (124) demonstrated some mechanisms that delay PBMCs' cell senescence in vitro by RJ through enhancing their cell proliferating ability, MDA, GSH, IL-2, IL-6, IL-4 cytokines, and NO release. The immuno-enhancing potential and anti-immunosenescence effects of royal jelly may play a primordial role in the health of the elderly to corroborate and combat pathological aging by improving the immune functions, enhancing PBMCs' proliferation along with the cytokine release [123][124][125].…”

“…Increase in overall well-being and recuperation from fatigue and menopausal problems [90,121,202,211,223,224] Against stenocardia and after heart attack; arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis; hypertension [187,188,190,195,197,[202][203][204] Against respiratory system diseases, asthma [333,338,339] Against diseases the eye, e.g., blepharitis, conjunctivitis and retina burns, circulatory disorders in the eye [97,126,161] Bio-stimulating effect, increases physical endurance and work ability and increases resistance to hypoxia [52,124,125,152] Increase memory, neuro-vegetative activation [137,138,141,145,147,154,157 RJ has been used for a long time. The first recommendation for its use in human therapy dates from 1922 in France.…”