Protective potential of royal jelly against hydroxyurea -induced hepatic injury in rats via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptosis properties

Abstract

Hydroxyurea (HDU) is a widely used medication for various malignancies, thalassemia, and sickle cell anemia with reported side effects. The current study investigated HDU- induced hepatic injury and the protective potential of the royal jelly (RJ) against this hepatotoxic effect in the light of hepatic oxidative/ antioxidative status, pro-inflammatory cytokine, apoptosis signaling pathway, and histopathology. Sixty albino rats were used (n = 10/group) for 60 days: control, RJ (100 mg/kg body weight, orally), HDU (225 mg/kg body weight, orally), 2HDU (450 mg/kg body weight, orally), and HDU + RJ groups. HDU-treated rats showed significant elevation of liver function tests as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase, as well as malondialdehyde and nitric oxide (oxidative biomarkers) and significant decreased hepatic antioxidant molecules (reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase), compared to a control group, that more pronounced in the high dose of HDU. In addition, HDU induced significant upregulation of TNF-α and the Caspase-3 apoptotic pathway. Moreover, the liver of HDU treated groups showed various hepatic lesions from mild to severe necrotic changes related to the HDU dose. However, administration of RJ with HDU improved liver function tests, liver histology, and hepatic oxidative/antioxidative status concerning HDU groups. Furthermore, oral RJ administration with HDU significantly lessens the immune-expression area % of TNF-α and Caspase-3. Thus, the royal jelly has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties against HDU- induced hepatic injury and could be, therefore, used as adjuvant therapy in patients with long-term HDU medication.

Cardioprotective role of royal jelly in the prevention of celecoxib-mediated cardiotoxicity in adult male albino rats

“…Several previous studies confirmed the concept of the beneficial and anti-apoptotic effect of RJ against cisplatin-induced hepatorenal toxicity [ 78 ], nicotine-induced testicular injury in mice [ 79 ], doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male albino rats [ 80 ], and hydroxyurea-induced hepatic injury in rats [ 81 ]. Moreover, Royal jelly decreases the expression of the apoptotic gene (MMP-9) responsible for bladder cancer in humans [ 82 ].…”

Royal Jelly, A Super Food, Protects Against Celecoxib-Induced Renal Toxicity in Adult Male Albino Rats

“…Several previous studies confirmed the concept of the beneficial and anti-apoptotic effect of RJ against cisplatin-induced hepatorenal toxicity, 52 nicotine-induced testicular injury in mice, 93 doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male albino rats, 10 and hydroxyurea-induced hepatic injury in rats. 94 Moreover, RJ decreases the expression of the apoptotic gene (MMP-9) responsible for bladder cancer in humans. 95…”

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

“…RJ, a superfood, prevents tissue damage due to oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant capacity and reducing oxidative stress [ 21 , 22 ]. This antioxidant effect, which protects cells against apoptosis [ 23 ], has been demonstrated in many tissues, such as the ovary, testis, kidney, and bone marrow [ 9 , 10 , 21 , 22 ]. RJ can protect the ovaries against CP’s oxidative stress-mediated cell damage because of this antioxidant effect that reduces apoptosis in granulosa cells and oocytes [ 24 ].…”