Sibel Silici

Antioxidant effect of propolis against exposure to propetamphos in rats.

In the present study, each group comprised six animals, and a total of 30 female. Wistar Albino rats weighing 200-250g were used. The first group served as the control group. Group 2 received propolis at a concentration of 100mg/kgbw/day in drinking water. Groups 3 and 4 were administered propetamphos at doses of 7.5 and 15.0mg/kgbw/day, respectively, in drinking water. Group 5 was treated with propetamphos at a dose of 15.0mg/kgbw/day, in association with 100mg/kgbw/day propolis in drinking water. Treatment was continued for 28 days, and at the end of this period, blood and tissue (liver, kidney and brain) samples were collected. Plasma and tissue MDA levels and erythrocyte and tissue SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities were measured. In conclusion, the administration of propolis was concluded to exhibit antiradical and antioxidant effect, and thereby to result in the alleviation of oxidative stress.

The protective effect of royal jelly against cisplatin-induced renal oxidative stress in rats

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of royal jelly on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats.MethodsAdult male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into eight groups: the control, cisplatin, royal jelly, and royal jelly plus cisplatin groups. Biochemical and histopathological methods were utilized for evaluation of the nephrotoxicity. Blood was collected and analyzed for blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, uric acid, total bilirubin, and total protein levels. The kidney samples were stored for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities and processed for histopathological examinations.ResultsAdministration of cisplatin to rats induced a marked renal failure, characterized with a significant increase in serum BUN and uric acid concentrations, and they had higher kidney MDA and lower GSH-Px, SOD, and CAT activities. In the groups that were administered RJ in association with CP, improvement was observed in some oxidative stress parameters and certain other biochemical parameters, pre-treatment with RJ being more effective.ConclusionsThe CP-induced changes in histopathologic findings of kidneys were partially reversed by treatment with royal jelly. The results provide further insight into the mechanisms of CP-induced nephrotoxicity and confirm the antioxidant potential of royal jelly.

Assessment of trace element levels in Rhododendron honeys of Black Sea Region, Turkey.

Rhododendron and multi-flower honeys obtained from Black Sea Region of Turkey (12 Rhododendron and 8 multi-flower honeys) were studied to determine the presence of the 14 trace elements such as Cu, Cd, Pb, Co, Cr, Ni, Al, Se, Zn, Mn, Fe, K, Ca and Mg. Trace element determination was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after microwave digestion. The results revealed that Rhododendron honeys exhibited higher concentrations of Cu, Co, Cr, Ni, Se, Zn, Ca and Mg but lower concentrations of Al, Mn, Fe and K than in the multi-flower honeys. Trace element levels in analyzed honey samples were generally lower than literature values.

Comparison of in vitro activities of antifungal drugs and ethanolic extract of propolis against Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes by using a microdilution assay

The in vitro activities of propolis against 29 strains of dermatophytes were compared with those of terbinafine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, and fluconazole. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined according to a National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards broth microdilution method. Among the systemic antifungals tested, terbinafine was the most potent. Propolis showed important antifungal activity and it merits further investigation as a potentially useful agent for the treatment of dermatophytosis.

Protective effect of propolis against oxidative stress and immunosuppression induced by oxytetracycline in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, W.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of propolis on oxytetracycline (OTC)-induced oxidative stress and immunosuppression in fish. OTC (100 mg per kg⁻¹ body weight) was orally administered to fish for 14 days. A significant elevation in the level of malondialdehyde, as an index of lipid peroxidation, and reductions in antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and low molecular weight antioxidant (reduced glutathione) levels were observed in the blood, liver, kidney, spleen, and heart tissues of OTC-treated fish. OTC also had a suppressive effect on specific and non-specific immune system parameters, such as leucocyte counts, oxidative radical production (nitrobluetetrazolium activity), total plasma protein and immunoglobulin levels, and phagocytic activity. Pre-treatment, post-treatment, and simultaneous treatment with propolis (50 mg per kg⁻¹ body weight, orally) attenuated the OTC-induced oxidative stress by significantly decreasing the levels of malondialdehyde in tissues. In addition, propolis significantly increased the level of reduced glutathione and the catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities. Upon the administration of propolis, the suppressed immune system parameters were significantly increased in fish treated with OTC. The present results suggest that pre-treatment, post-treatment, and simultaneous administration of propolis might alleviate OTC-induced oxidative stress and immunosuppression.

Effect of carbaryl on some biochemical changes in rats: The ameliorative effect of bee pollen

In this study, 42 female Wistar albino rats, weighing between 200 and 250 g, were used and they were divided into six equal groups. Group 1 was allocated as the control group. Rats included in groups 2 and 3 were administered a water-solubilized extract of bee pollen at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw/day and 100 mg/kg bw/day, respectively. Group 4 received 225 mg/kg bw/day carbaryl. Groups 5 and 6 were given a water-solubilized extract of bee pollen at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw/day and 100mg/kg bw/day, respectively, plus 225 mg/kg bw/day carbaryl. The indicated administrations were continued for 21 days for groups 1-6 by gavage. MDA levels and the activities of CAT, SOD and GSH-Px were analysed in blood and tissues (liver, kidney, brain and heart). At the same time, levels/activities of total protein, albumin, glucose, triglyceride, T-cholesterol, T-bilirubin, BUN, creatinine, uric acid, GGT, LDH, AST, ALT and ALP, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride were evaluated in serum samples. In conclusion, carbaryl was determined to cause negative changes in most of the oxidative stress markers and serum biochemical parameters investigated. These effects were observed to alleviate with the administration of bee pollen.

Antifungal Activity of the Honeybee Products Against Candida spp. and Trichosporon spp.

Honeybee products (honey, royal jelly, pollen, and propolis) were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the growth of 40 yeast strains of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, and Trichosporon spp. The broth microdilution method was used to assess the antifungal activity of honeybee products against yeasts. Fluconazole was selected as the antifungal control agent. Using the broth microdilution method, minimal inhibitory concentration ranges with regard to all isolates were 5-80% (vol/vol), 0.06-1 μg/mL, 0.002-0.25 μg/mL, 0.006-0.1 μg/mL, and 0.02-96 μg/mL for honey, royal jelly, pollen, propolis, and fluconazole, respectively. The antifungal activities of each product decreased in the following order: propolis >pollen > royal jelly > > honey. This study demonstrated that honeybee products, particularly propolis and pollen, can help to control some fluconazole-resistant fungal strains.

Effects of sodium fluoride exposure on some biochemical parameters in mice: evaluation of the ameliorative effect of royal jelly applications on these parameters.

Forty eight male Balb/c mice, each weighing 30-35 g, were used in the present study. The animals were divided into four equal groups. The first group served as the control group, and the second group was administered royal jelly at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw by gavage for a period of 7 days. The third group received 200 ppm fluoride, as sodium fluoride, for a period of 7 days, in drinking water. Lastly, the fourth group was given 200 ppm fluoride in drinking water, in association with royal jelly at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw by gavage, for a period of 7 days. At the end of the seventh day, blood samples were collected from all groups into heparinised and dry tubes, and liver samples were taken concurrently. Erythrocyte and liver tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were evaluated in the blood and tissue samples obtained. Furthermore, serum cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, total protein and albumin levels, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alcaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were evaluated. In conclusion, fluoride was determined to cause adverse effects in mice, and the administration of royal jelly to these animals alleviated the adverse effects of fluoride.

Malathion-induced changes in the haematological profile, the immune response, and the oxidative/antioxidant status of Cyprinus carpio carpio: protective role of propolis.

The present study investigated the potential ameliorative effects of propolis against malathion toxicity in the blood and various tissues of carp. The fish were exposed to sublethal concentrations of malathion (0.5 and 1 mg/L) for 10 days, and propolis (10 mg/kg of fish weight) was simultaneously administered. Blood and tissue (liver, kidney, and gill) samples were collected at the end of the experiment and analysed to determine the haematological profile (red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit level, and erythrocyte indices: mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration), immune response (white blood cell count, oxidative radical production, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) activity, total plasma protein and total immunoglobulin levels, and the phagocytic activity), and oxidant/antioxidant status (malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities) of the fish. The findings of this study demonstrate that malathion has a negative effect on the haematological parameters, immune response, and antioxidant enzyme activities of the fish. However, the administration of propolis ameliorated the malathion-induced toxic effects.

Antibacterial activity and phytochemical evidence for the plant origin of Turkish propolis from different regions

Honeybees collect propolis from practically any abundant plant source in the neighborhood of the hive, be it populus, eucalyptus, pine, sugarcane, cashew nut or orange trees. We have described that the origin plants of Turkish propolis are Populus sp., Eucalyptus sp. and Castanea sativa. In our previous study, propolis samples from Middle Anatolia displayed the typical pattern of “poplar” propolis: they contained pinobanksin, caffeic and ferulic acids and their esters. The propolis samples examined in this study were shown not to contain polar phenolics. The main components of Eucalyptus propolis were aromatic acids, mainly cinnamic acid and its esters, that are usually found in Eucalyptus species resins. The second distinct sample originated from West Anatolia. Although it contained low amounts of phenolic substances and aromatic acids, its main components were sugars and glycosides. The study revealed that there was no significant difference between propolis samples in antibacterial activity, however the yeasts were shown to be more sensitive to eucalyptus-propolis. Gram negative bacteria were susceptible to none of the samples tested.