[Royal jelly: component efficiency, analysis, and standardisation]

Arh Hig Rada Toksikol. 2013 Sep;64(3):445-61. doi: 10.2478/10004-1254-64-2013-2332.
[Article in Croatian]

Abstract

Royal jelly is a viscous substance secreted by the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of worker honeybees (Apis mellifera) that contains a considerable amount of proteins, free amino acids, lipids, vitamins, sugars, and bioactive substances such as 10-hydroxy-trans-2-decenoic acid, antibacterial protein, and 350-kDa protein. These properties make it an attractive ingredient in various types of healthy foods. This article brings a brief review of the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of certain disorders that can be remedied by royal jelly, based on a selection of in vivo and in vitro studies. It also describes current understanding of the mechanisms and beneficial effects by which royal jelly helps to combat aging-related complications. Royal jelly has been reported to exhibit beneficial physiological and pharmacological effects in mammals, including vasodilative and hypotensive activities, antihypercholesterolemic activity, and antitumor activity. As its composition varies significantly (for both fresh and dehydrated samples), the article brings a few recommendations for defining new quality standards.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / drug effects*
  • Aging / physiology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Allergic Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antihypertensive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bees / metabolism*
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Fatty Acids / pharmacology*
  • Fatty Acids / standards*
  • Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / analysis
  • Hematopoiesis / physiology
  • Hypopharynx / metabolism
  • Vasodilation / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Allergic Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Fatty Acids
  • Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated
  • 2-decenoic acid
  • 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid
  • royal jelly