Royal jelly alleviates the detrimental effects of aging on immune functions by enhancing the in vitro cellular proliferation, cytokines, and nitric oxide release in aged human PBMCS

Abstract

Aging strongly delays the immunity. Our research aims to assess the in vitro effects of royal jelly (RJ) on the immune function of aged PBMCs. PBMCs were obtained from 10 healthy aged and young donors by the gradient density centrifugation method and further cultured in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with or without RJ in the presence of Con A. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay along with the measurement of interleukins, Nitric oxide (NO), Glutathione (GSH), and Malondialdehydes (MDA). Our results showed that RJ improved PBMCs proliferation significantly in the elderly subjects, accompanied by the increase in NO (p = .001) and the release of IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6 cytokines. RJ also increased the intracellular GSH (p = .001) and MDA (p = .001) levels in aged PBMCs. In young subjects, RJ enhanced PBMCs proliferation potency, IL-4, IL-6, GSH, and intracellular MDA levels but with a concomitant decrease in NO and IL-2 cytokine secretion as compared with non RJ-treated cells. In conclusion, RJ restored functions of the aged PBMCs as well as the young control subjects, indicating a beneficial effect on immune status during the aging process. Practical applications Royal jelly is a well-known edible dietary compound, used traditionally to treat many diseases throughout the world. Since antiquity, it was shown to have medicinal importance. The immuno-enhancing potential of this food was largely and scientifically established by the lipid and protein fractions. The present study illustrates the antiaging and stimulatory effects of the fresh RJ whole extract, from local Algerian honey bee: Apis mellifera intermissa, on the immunity of aged men. This study provides the experimental evidence supporting anti-immunosenesence effects of royal jelly. RJ supplementation can be used in the old age management and human age-related complications, especially, associated with the weaknesses of the immune response.

Quercetin handles cellular oxidant / antioxidant systems and mitigates immunosenescence hallmarks in human PBMCs: an in vitro study

“…IL-2 release has been shown to decrease with age in previous studies. [11, 31]. Quercetin downregulates the release of IL-2 in both young and old people.…”

“…The gradient density centrifugation method was used to obtain blood PBMCs from healthy donors [11], In brief; 4 ml of whole EDTA blood was layered into 3 ml of Histopaque 1077 solution and centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 40 minutes. The cells at the plasma-Histopaque interface were collected and washed twice with balanced saline solution (HBSS), and the cell clot was kept in RPMI complete medium.…”

“…Blood PBMCs from healthy donors were obtained by the gradient density centrifugation method as described by 11 , in brief 4 ml of whole EDTA blood was layered into 3 ml of Histopaque 1077 solution, centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 40 minutes. The peripheral blood lymphocytes at the interface of plasma and Histopaque were collected and washed twice with balanced saline solution, the cell clot was maintained in RPMI complete medium.…”

Royal Jelly Components Encapsulation in a Controlled Release System—Skin Functionality, and Biochemical Activity for Skin Applications

“…The antiaging/anti-senescence activity of royal jelly components has been assessed in multiple cellular models, such as human dermal microvascular endothelial cells [ 17 ], human peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) isolated from young and aged human donors [ 18 ], or human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HFL-I) [ 19 ]. Importantly, various model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster flies, Gryllus bimaculatus crickets, silkworms, Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes, and mice have been also utilized for the elucidation of the mechanisms through which royal jelly and its components show antiaging effects and promote longevity.…”

Physicochemical characteristics of local royal jelly produced in Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia

“…Consumption of royal jelly in various forms (direct or as a functional component of several food items) is steadily increasing. The presence of 10-HDA in royal jelly has been demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumoral, antiaging, and immune stimulating characteristics [15][16][17][18]. This unsaturated fatty acid (10HDA) is unique to royal jelly and regarded as an indicator of its authenticity and quality [14].…”