Protective effects of honey by bees (Apis dorsata) on decreased cortical thickness and bone impact strength of ovariohysterectomized rats as models for menopause

The bone strengthening effects of propolis in ovariectomized female white rats as models for postmenopause

Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by decreased quality and strength of bones so that it becomes porous and fracture. Propolis is known to have many pharmacological activity, including an anti-osteoporosis effect. This study aims to determine the effect of propolis administration and the effects of propolis dosage variation in preventing osteoporosis based on the strength value of femur bone impact in female white rats in the form of an ovariectomy postmenopausal model. The rats were divided into 5 groups: positive control group (subjected to ovariectomy), negative control group (not subjected to ovariectomy, and treatment groups that were subjected to ovariectomy and given propolis at a dose of 180 mg/kg BW, dose 360 mg/kg BW and dose 720 mg/kg BW. Propolis was administered orally for 30 days. Bone impact strength testing was undertaken after 30 days using an impact testing machine. Research data were analyzed via one-way ANOVA and continued with the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. From the test results, we noted that propolis administration had an effect on the value of bone strength, with the dose of 720 mg/kg BW and 360 mg/kg BW having a significant effect, compared with others. With an increase in dose, propolis can provide an increase in the value of bone strength in rat bones.

Bee Bread Can Alleviate Lipid Abnormalities and Impaired Bone Morphology in Obese Zucker Diabetic Rats

This study examined for the first time whether bee bread (BB, consisting of monofloral rape bee pollen) could alleviate lipid derangements and reduced bone quality in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, which are considered an appropriate animal model for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) investigation. Adult ZDF rats were segregated into four groups: lean non-diabetic rats (L group), obese diabetic rats untreated (C group), and those treated with the BB at two doses (500 and 700 mg/kg body weight, respectively, B1 and B2 groups) for 10 weeks. Significantly reduced levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride were recorded in the B2 group versus the C group. In both BB-treated groups, significantly increased relative volume of trabecular bone and trabecular thickness, enhanced density of secondary osteons, accelerated periosteal bone apposition, and improved blood flow were observed. A positive effect of higher dose of BB on femoral weight and cortical bone thickness was also demonstrated. Our results suggest a promising potential of BB to ameliorate T2DM-related complications associated with lipid and bone damages.