Therapeutic potency of bee pollen against biochemical autistic features induced through acute and sub-acute neurotoxicity of orally administered propionic acid

Abstract

BackgroundIt is now well documented that postnatal exposure to certain chemicals has been reported to increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. Propionic acid (PA), as a metabolic product of gut microbiotaandas a commonly used food additive, has been reported to mediate the effects of autism. Results from animal studies may help to identify environmental neurotoxic agents and drugs that can ameliorate neurotoxicity and may thereby aid in the treatment of autism. The present study investigated the ameliorative effects of natural bee pollen against acute and sub-acute brain intoxication induced by (PA) in rats.MethodsTwenty-four young male Western Albino ratswere enrolled in the present study. They were classified into four equal groups, eachwith6 rats. The control group received only phosphate buffered saline; the oral buffered PA-treated groups (II and III) received a neurotoxic dose of 750 mg/kg body weight divided in 3 dose of 250 mg/kg body weight/day serving asthe acute group and 750 mg/kg body weight divided in 10 equal dose of 75 mg/kg body weight/day as the sub-acute group. The fourth group received 50 mg bee pollen for 30 days after PA-acute intoxication.ResultsThe obtained data showed that the PA-treated groups demonstrated multiple signs of brain toxicity, as indicated by a depletion of serotonin (5HT), dopamine and nor-adrenaline, together withan increase in IFN-γ and caspase 3. Bee pollen was effective in ameliorating the neurotoxic effect of PA. All measured parameters demonstrated minimal alteration in comparison with thecontrol animal than did those of acute and sub-acute PA-treated animals.ConclusionsIn conclusion, bee pollen demonstrates anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects while ameliorating the impaired neurochemistry of PA-intoxicated rats.

Glutamate excitotoxicity induced by orally administered propionic acid, a short chain fatty acid can be ameliorated by bee pollen

“…This can be supported by considering the previous work of El-Ansary et al [8, 9] in which the same dose of PPA (750 mg/kg body wt.) was toxic enough to induce a significant increase of caspase 3 as a marker of brain cell death.…”

Bee Collected Pollen and Bee Bread: Bioactive Constituents and Health Benefits

“…Currently, BP is used as nutritious food and studied for its potential therapeutic properties. In an overall screening of the published data, the extracts were studied in chronic prostatitis for their anti-androgenic bioactivity [16][17][18][19][20], such as anti-inflammatory [20][21][22], antioxidants [23][24][25] and for antimicrobial potential [23,[25][26][27], as well as anti-tumor agents [28,29]. BP also shows important effects in allergies and oral desensitization [30].…”

The Ameliorating Effects of Bee Pollen on Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Mice

“…In the central nervous system (CNS), extracellular tPA elicits its proteolytic function by converting proBDNF into mature BDNF (mBDNF) which is essential for hippocampal memory consolidation. 29,30) Therefore, we determined the level of tPA mRNA expression level under the temporal bee pollen extract administration. Two-way ANOVA confirmed that there were significant group effects of time [F (3, 53) = 3.509, p < 0.05] and of the treatment [F (2, 53) = 20.75, p < 0.05].…”

“…However, bee pollen extract did not increase the level of mRNA of BDNF, suggesting that the conversion of proBDNF to mBDNF may be increased by BDNF processing enzymes. 29,30) BDNF processing is controlled by several converting enzymes such as pro-protein convertase 1, furin, and matrix metalloproteinase-9, as well as tPA. 52,53) Therefore, we measured the mRNA level of tPA in the hippocampal tissue, and the increased mRNA level of tPA was observed.…”

“…For the cognitive enhancement study, the mice were given bee pollen extract (30,100 or 300 mg/kg, p.o.) or piracetam (200 mg/kg, i.p.…”