Identification of royal jelly as a potential new drug to protect the ovarian reserve and uterus against cyclophosphamide in rats

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of royal jelly (RJ), a powerful natural antioxidant, on cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian damage.Methods: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Oral treatment was administered to all rats for 16 days after a single intraperitoneal injection. The control group received intraperitoneal and oral saline; the RJ group received intraperitoneal saline and 100 mg/kg/day oral RJ; the cyclophosphamide group received intraperitoneal 100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide and oral saline; and the treatment group received intraperitoneal 100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide and 100 mg/kg/day oral RJ. The groups were compared in terms of ovarian reserve tests and histopathological changes in the ovary and uterus.Results: All follicle counts were higher in the treatment group than in the cyclophosphamide group. The increase in the number of preantral follicles (p=0.001) and the decrease in the number of atretic follicles (p=0.004) were statistically significant. RJ treatment significantly improved follicular degeneration and cortical fibrosis in the ovary and epithelial and gland degeneration in the uterus due to cyclophosphamide toxicity. Conclusion: According to these results, RJ reduces cyclophosphamide-related ovarian and endometrial damage in rats. For this reason, it should be further investigated to determine its effects on reproductive function.

The impact of Royal Jelly on In-Vitro Fertilization outcome in low ovarian reserve women, a randomized clinical trial

“…( 29) Hence, new methods have been introduced to improve the prognosis of IVF and fertilization naming Royal Jelly. (17) In previous in-vitro studies, Royal Jelly enhanced the maturation and growth of oocytes. Moreover, it positively impacts redux phase and glucose metabolism in cumulus cells.…”

“…(23,24) Moreover, an animal study done in 2023 on albino female rats, the use of Royal Jelly had protective and anti-oxidant impact against cyclophosphamide induced ovarian damage. (17) In a study in 2019, they claimed that insulin reduce the sensitivity of granulosa follicles to FSH in obese women suffering from obesity. (30) Moreover, insulin resistance is correlated with low quantity of mature oocytes and embryo quality.…”

“…As a result, Royal Jelly improved blastocytes formation and delayed apoptosis in cumulus cells and ovum in invitro studies. (16)(17)(18)(19) By the means of one study in Isfahan in 2016, Royal Jelly effect on metabolism of glucose and redox state of ovine oocyte was examined. Based on their result, adding 10mg of Royal Jelly increased the number of oocyte and their intra-cellular glutathione.…”

Urtica pilulifera L. seed extract promotes folliculogenesis and alleviates the diminished ovarian reserve in the Balb/c mice model: An experimental study

“…Finally, the slides were washed again with distilled water and subjected to dehydration using alcohol (19). In H&E stained samples, follicles were classified as described previously, the existence of oocytes enclosed by a single layer of granulosa cells is known as a primordial follicle, the observation of oocytes surrounded by 2 or more layers of granulosa cells is considered as a preantral follicle, antral follicle comprises oocytes with liquid between the granulosa cells, Graff follicle includes a follicle with a largely fluid-filled antrum, corpus luteum is created by the rupture of the Graff follicle and a follicle with impaired morphological integrity is known as an atretic follicle (21). To avoid double counting, follicles were counted only when the oocyte nucleus was present.…”