Reversal Effects of Royal Jelly and Propolis Against Cadmium-Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity in Rats

Abstract

Heavy metal toxicity is an exponentially growing health problem. In this study, we aimed to assess the protective properties of propolis and royal jelly against cadmium adverse effects. Thirty-two adult male rats were included in our study; kidney and liver functions, histopathological changes, and the level of oxidative stress were evaluated in rats exposed to a daily dose of 4.5 mg cadmium per kilogram of body weight for 1 month and those cotreated simultaneously with either propolis (50 mg/kg/day) or royal jelly (200 mg/kg/day) with cadmium compared to control animals. Cadmium-mediated hepatorenal toxicity was manifested as per the increased oxidative stress, function deterioration, and characteristic histopathological aberrations. The supplementation of royal jelly or propolis restores most of the affected parameters to a level similar to the control group. However, the parameters describing the grade of DNA damage and the interleukin-1β expression in the liver, as well as the levels of malondialdehyde and metallothionein, were slightly elevated compared to controls, despite the regular use of royal jelly or propolis. It is worth noting that better results were found in the case of royal jelly compared to propolis administration. Most likely, the ability of both products to chelate cadmium and contribute in reducing oxidative stress is of great importance. However, further investigations are needed to complement the knowledge about the expected nutritional and medicinal values. Graphical abstract

Effect of royal jelly on chronıc lıver and kıdney damage ınduced by cadmıum chlorıde ın rats

“…In our study; serum BUN and creatinine values of the rats in the CdCl 2 applied groups (Groups III, IV) were increased compared to the control groups (Groups I, II), with the findings of the researchers (27,40). The reduction of BUN and creatinine in the group given CdCl 2 with royal jelly (Group IV) is similar to the study findings of Omar et al (39). This increase in BUN and creatinine levels as a result of cadmium may have occurred as a result of damage to glomerular and renal tubular cells, as the kidneys could not fulfill their excretory function, as stated in the studies of Chen et al ( 9), Kim et al (27); the decrease in these values in the group treated with royal jelly (Group IV) compared to the group administered only CdCl 2 (Group III) suggests that it may be because royal jelly reduces lipid peroxidation by showing an antioxidant effect, as reported in the studies of Ghanbari et al (20).…”

“…In our study, the increase in serum AST and ALT levels of rats in the CdCl 2 -treated groups (Groups IV, V) compared to the control groups (Groups I, II), it is compatible with the studies of Renugadevi and Prabu (43), Fan et al (14) and Yang et al (51). Royal jelly application (Group IV) reduced these values compared to the group in which only CdCl 2 was applied (Group III); it is similar to the studies of Almeer et al (2), Hamza et al (21) and Omar et al (39). When serum AST and ALT levels that increase as a result of CdCl 2 intoxication are evaluated together with our histopathological findings, it may result from hepatocellular damage due to cadmium, as reported by Refaie et al (42), royal jelly, which has the effect of reducing the levels of these enzymes this suggests that it may be due to the glycoprotein it contains stimulating liver regeneration and hepatocyte formation (2).…”

“…The decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels is by reducing royal jelly's lipid peroxidation, as Ghanbari et al (20) reported, suggests that it may be due to its protective effect against cadmium. In studies evaluating the serum BUN and creatinine levels of rats administered CdCl 2 (27,40), these values increased; it has been reported that royal jelly decreased these values when applied with CdCl 2 (39). In our study; serum BUN and creatinine values of the rats in the CdCl 2 applied groups (Groups III, IV) were increased compared to the control groups (Groups I, II), with the findings of the researchers (27,40).…”

“…Caixeta et al (7) stated that the effect of royal jelly may be due to its hypoglycemic effect by increasing antioxidant activity. It increased serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels due to experimental CdCl 2 toxicity in rats (1,44), and royal jelly administered together with CdCl 2 decreased these values (21,39) have been reported. Our study showed increased serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels of rats in CdCl 2 -administered groups (Groups III, IV) compared to control groups (Groups I, II); With the findings of Afolabi et al (1) and Samarghandian et al (44), the decrease in rats administered CdCl 2 together with royal jelly (Group IV) compared to the group administered only CdCl 2 (Group III) is similar to the study findings of Hamza et al (21) and Omar et al (39).…”

“…It has been reported that serum MDA levels increased in liver damage caused CdCl 2 toxicity (12,44) and decreased in rats treated with royal jelly and CdCl 2 (2,39). In our study: Significantly increased serum MDA levels in rats in the CdCl 2 administered groups (Groups III, IV) compared to the rats in the control groups (Groups I, II) with the findings of El-Boshy et al (12), Samarghandian et al (44) the decrease in the group administered royal jelly with CdCl 2 (Group IV) compared to the group administered only CdCl 2 (Group III) is similar to the findings of Almeer et al (2) and Omar et al (39).…”