Experimental investigation of the effects of royal jelly on depression, anxiety, learning and memory

ABSTRACT Effects of royal jelly on depression, anxiety, learning and memory in mice experimentally ınvestigated AIM: Royal jelly is a natural yellowish-white substance secreted by both the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of nanny bees, usually used to feed queen bees and young worker larvae. In this study, we aimed to experimentally investigate the effects of royal jelly on depression, anxiety, learning and memory, which have not been clearly clarified in the current literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 74 male BALB/c mice weighing 20-25 g and 9-12 weeks of age were used in this study. Behavioural experiments were evaluated using as forced swimming test, elevated plus maze test, Morris water maze test and passive avoidance test. The experimental groups were planned as n=10; however, mice with insufficient locomotor activity after evaluation with locomotor activity test were not included in the experiment. Royal jelly was administered by 3 different doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. RESULTS: All doses of royal jelly significantly decreased the immobility time in FST. All doses of royal jelly significantly increased the time spent in open arms in the EPM. Cognitive performance impaired by scopolamine in the passive avoidance test was significantly improved by royal jelly at a dose of 200 mg/kg. In the Morris water maze test; all doses of royal jelly significantly increased the time spent in the target quadrant. Moreover, 200 mg/kg royal jelly reversed the scopolamine-induced decrease in the time spent in the target quadrant. CONCLUSION: As a result of our behavioural experiments, we found that royal jelly has anxiolytic and antidepressant activity and improves impaired memory. These effects are likely to be due to the rich content of royal jelly containing substances such as 10-HDA and MRJP and both cytoprotective and neuroprotective effects. Keywords: Anxiety, depression, learning, memory, royal jelly.