Apilarnil ameliorates Bisphenol A-induced testicular toxicity in adult male rats via improving antioxidant potency and PCNA expression

Apilarnil, a bee-derived product originating from drone larvae, offers a range of advantageous properties for both humans and animals. It functions as an antioxidant, provides neuroprotection, boosts fertility, and has antiviral capabilities. Additionally, it is a provider of androgenic hormones. These beneficial functions are supported by its chemical composition, which comprises mineral salts, vitamins, carbs, lipids, hormones, and amino acids. The current study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effect of apilarnil against Bisphenol A (BPA)-induced testicular toxicity in male adult rats. Forty-eight Wistar albino rats were randomly classified into six groups. The first, second, and third received olive oil, BPA at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight (bwt), and apilarnil at a dose of 0.6 g/kg bwt, respectively. The fourth, fifth, and sixth groups received apilarnil with, before, or after BPA administration, respectively. Phytochemical analysis using included linear ion trap-ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LTQ-UPLC-MS/MS) and global natural products social molecular networking (GNPS) revealed the presence of lysine, 10-hydroxy-(E)-2-dodecenoic acid, apigenin7-glucoside, testosterone, progesterone, and campesterol. BPA administration decreased serum level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, glutathione (GSH) concentration, total sperm count, motility, and vitality. Additionally, BPA increased sperm abnormalities, malondialdehyde concentration (MDA), and decreased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. The treatment with apilarnil ameliorated BPA reproductive toxicity in rats which was indicated by increased serum testosterone levels, normalized serum levels of FSH and LH, and concentration of MDA and GSH activity. Moreover, apilarnil improved sperm count, motility, morphology, and PCNA expression. Apilarnil was found to enhance reproductive hormones, MDA levels, antioxidant activity, and PCNA expression.

Exploring the Chemical Constituents and Nutritive Potential of Bee Drone (Apilarnil): Emphasis on Antioxidant Properties

A lesser-known bee product called drone brood homogenate (DBH, apilarnil) has recently attracted scientific interest for its chemical and biological properties. It contains pharmacologically active compounds that may have neuroprotective, antioxidant, fertility-enhancing, and antiviral effects. Unlike other bee products, the chemical composition of bee drone larva is poorly studied. This study analyzed the chemical compostion of apilarnil using several methods. These included liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and a combination of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with solid phase micro-extraction (SPME/GC-MS). Additionally, antioxidant activity of the apilarnil was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. A chemical assessment of apilarnil showed that it has 6.3±0.00, 74.67±0.10 %, 3.65±0.32 %, 8.80±1.01 %, 13.16±0.94 %, and 8.79±0.49 % of pH, moisture, total lipids, proteins, flavonoids, and carbohydrates, respectively. LC-MS/MS analysis and molecular networking (GNPS) of apilarnil exhibited 44 compounds, including fatty acids, flavonoids, glycerophospholipids, alcohols, sugars, amino acids, and steroids. GC-MS detected 30 volatile compounds in apilarnil, mainly esters (24 %), ketones (23.84 %), ethers (15.05 %), alcohols (11.41 %), fatty acids (10.06), aldehydes (6.73 %), amines (5.46), and alkene (5.53 %). The antioxidant activity of apilarnil was measured using DPPH with an IC50 of 179.93±2.46 μg/ml.

Nephroprotective effect of apilarnil in lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis through TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

AIMS

In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of apilarnil on kidney damage in the sepsis model induced by LPS.

MAIN METHODS

64 Sprague Dawley adult male rats were randomly divided into eight groups; control group, groups in which 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 g/kg/bw apilarnil (API) was applied by oral gavage method for 10 days, LPS group in which 30 mg/kg/bw lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administered as intraperitoneally, groups in which LPS + 0.2, LPS+ 0.4 and LPS +0,8 API was applied. Six hour after the last administration the rats were anesthetized for euthanasia and kidney tissues were removed for RT-PCR analysis, immunohistochemical analysis and histopathologic analysis.

KEY FINDING

According to the results of RT-PCR expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, NF-κB, TNF-α and TLR4 were significantly reduced in the LPS + 0,8 API group. Immunoreactivity of TLR4, pNF-κB and TNF-α levels in the LPS + 0.8 apilarnil group were significantly lower than in the LPS and LPS + 0.2 apilarnil groups. Histologically, compared to the LPS group the glomerular damage score tended to decrease in the LPS + 0,4 API and LPS+ 0,8 API groups, while the tubulointerstitial injury score decreased especially in the LPS + 0,8 API group.

SIGNIFICANCE

In the present study, 0,8 g/kg dose of apilarnil promoted potential renoprotective effects which were achieved, at least in part, by the modulation of important markers of the local immune response in the model of LPS-induced sepsis.

Acceptance of apitherapeutic methods in patients consulting general physicians or gynaecologists

BACKGROUND

and purpose: Apitherapists promote the medical use of products from the beehive (bee venom, propolis, pollen, honey, royal jelly, dead bees, apilarnil, wax, wax moths), the use of beehive air or therapeutic sleep on a beehive. However, little is known about how far such treatment options are perceived as acceptable by patients.

METHODS

Patients visiting either a family doctor in Kehl or a gynecologist in Weilburg (both in Germany) were asked to rate their knowledge of apitherapy as well as their readiness to use apitherapeutic measures.

RESULTS

Honey and propolis represent the best-known bee products whereas beehive air and apilarnil are greatly unknown to the patients. Only honey seems to be an acceptable treatment option whereas propolis, pollen and royal jelly seem to be less acceptable. Bee venom was not considered an interesting treatment possibility and, in particular, live bee stings were considered less desirable. This study found that gender and acquaintance with a beekeeper influenced the patients' ratings but age, education and current medical condition did not.

CONCLUSION

Live bee stings, apilarnil or the inhalation of beehive air are not appealing to the majority of patients. Before apitherapeutic methods are promoted, it seems to be important to know about patients' willingness to tolerate such treatments. Perhaps therapy modifications can be offered which seem more acceptable.