Dose‐Dependent Effects of Royal Jelly on Estrogen‐ and Progesterone‐Induced Mammary Gland Hyperplasia in Rats

Abstract

Scope: Royal jelly (RJ) has a wide range of biological functions, its effect on hyperplasia of the mammary gland (HMG) in mammals is unclear. This study aims to investigate the effect of RJ on HMG and the dose-response relationship of RJ in the treatment of HMG. Methods and Results: HMG rats are induced by intramuscular injection of estrogen (E2) and progesterone, and are treated with different doses of RJ (100, 200, 400, and 800 mg kg -1 d -1 ). As a result, RJ improves the expansion of acinar and breast tissue ducts, particularly at 100 and 800 mg kg -1 d -1 . These two doses also inhibit serum E2 and prolactin (PRL) secretion and increase serum progesterone secretion and the expression of estrogen receptor (ER)-𝜷 in the breast tissue. In addition, 800 mg kg -1 d -1 decrease and increase the mRNA expression of, respectively, hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and pituitary GnRH receptors (GnRH-R). The lowest dosage (100 mg kg -1 d -1 ) increases GnRH-R mRNA expression as well. However, the effects of 200 and 400 mg kg -1 d -1 RJ on the reproductive parameters of HMG are not significant, implying a dose-dependent effect. Conclusion: RJ regulates endocrine dyscrasia in HMG rats and improves the breast tissue structure, indicating its potential in the prevention and treatment on HMG.

"Progesterone Present in Royal Jelly can Successfully Synchronize Oestrus in Goats"

“…Unfortunately, the presence of other steroid hormones in RJ had not been assessed. Nevertheless, previous research has shown that RJ can significantly increase the levels of progesterone in rats and ewes [11,21]. When applied vaginally, RJ cream is more effective than estrogens in improving sexual and urinary function in postmenopausal women, suggesting a possible absorption of RJ components by the vaginal wall [22].…”

Effects of Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma polysaccharide on intestinal microbiota composition in rats with mammary gland hyperplasia

“…Modern medicine also believes that the occurrence of MGH is linked to endocrine disorders, in particular, it is related to the imbalance of balance hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian-mammary gland endocrine axis, in which the secretion of estrogen increases and the secretion of progesterone decreases. The imbalance of female/progesterone ratio is the main cause of mammary gland hyperplasia ( 38 – 41 ). The mammary gland is an important target organ for the effect of estrogen, and when estrogen secretion in the female organism is too high, it will cause the female breast tissue to be in a state of over-stimulation, and the poor physical condition will have an impact on the mammary gland, leading to MGH ( 42 , 43 ).…”