The use of bees and bee products for therapeutic purposes in human and veterinary medicine is called apitherapy. Natural products have been used throughout human history to protect against and treat diseases. There is archaeological evidence that the use of bee products can be traced back to antiquity. In recent years, the emergence of drug resistance and the occurrence of adverse effects associated with the indiscriminate and irregular use of pharmacological agents have prompted humanity to pursue alternative solutions. One of the most significant solutions is the administration of bee products. The use of bee products in apitherapy applications includes honey, bee venom obtained from Apis mellifera bees, pollen, propolis, beeswax, royal jelly, perga and apilarnil (bee larvae). In general, apitherapy products with a wide range of indications are widely used in various system diseases and some dermatologic problems and various effects of these products such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and immunomodulatory effects in vitro and in vivo have been investigated in many different studies.
Apitherapy is less common in veterinary practice than in human medicine. The majority of animal diseases exhibit similarities to human diseases, largely due to the existence of comparable physiological and anatomical characteristics. Honey has long been recognised for its beneficial effects in the treatment of wounds in a wide range of animals. It may be hypothesised that this is due to the greater prevalence of injuries in horses, which are therefore more frequently treated with honey. Mastitis in dairy cows and goats represents a significant economic burden, particularly given the difficulty of treating this pathological condition effectively. In this context, the use of honey and propolis extract as an alternative represents a promising avenue for further investigation. Mastitis is defined as an inflammation of the mammary gland that develops in response to intramammary infection, which is typically caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This infection represents a significant public health concern in developing countries and in domestic animals utilized in agricultural settings globally. The mammary glands of dairy cows provide an optimal environment for the efficacy of honey. The standard treatment is the administration of antibiotics into the mammary duct of the infected udder. However, it is imperative that milk should not be used until it is clear of antibiotic residues. Honey may be a suitable treatment for mastitis if administered via the mammary duct, as it is harmless to the tissues and leaves no unwanted residues in the milk. A research project is currently underway to investigate the potential of honey as a means of preserving animal sperm. Its antibacterial properties and high energy content render it a suitable candidate for this purpose. Additionally, bee products are employed in the treatment of other animal diseases, including gastrointestinal disorders, otitis, sinusitis, ophthalmic conditions, dermatological disorders, and skin care. The potential of royal jelly to enhance reproductive performance in sheep has been the subject of investigation. The findings indicate that royal jelly treatment can be employed to induce estrus and enhance the first service conception rate in ewes when administered in conjunction with an exogenous progesterone source. Moreover, it may prove an effective means of improving pregnancy and lambing rates. The potential benefits of bee propolis extend to animals of all kinds, from domestic pets to livestock. It is commonly used to support the health of the respiratory and immune systems, and is used for more specific ailments where its antibacterial properties can be beneficial. Bee products mixed with other natural products are available on the market. The most common of these is honey combined with essential oils. Additionally, bee products are employed as food supplements for animals. The most prevalent additive in animal food is bee pollen. It has been demonstrated to promote growth, reduce mortality and prevent morbidity. Apitherapy has gained importance in the field of veterinary medicine in recent years in order to prevent both human health and economic losses, especially in the treatment of animals consumed as food.
