Effects of royal jelly on energy status and expression of apoptosis and biotransformation genes in normal fibroblast and colon cancer cells

Abstract

Royal jelly is natural bee product, traditionally used in medicine for antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibiotic and many other beneficial properties. The aim of this study was to determine biological effects of royal jelly samples originating from Serbia on normal human fibroblast (MRC-5) and colorectal cancer (HCT-116 and SW-480) cells. MTT cell viability assay was used to determine cytotoxic activity, and NBT test was used for determination of superoxide anion radical concentration. Parameters of cell energy status were determined using LDH and ATP colorimetric methods. Relative expression of mRNA of apoptosis and biotransformation genes was monitored by qPCR method. Royal jelly affected cell viability, caused oxidative stress appearance and elevated parameters of energy status in cancer cell lines. The relative expression of genes whose proteins are included in biotransformation of xenobiotics were changed with notable suppression of CYP1A1, while increased expression of apoptosis genes was noted in tested cell lines. Royal jelly demonstrated cell selective effect and could be prospective in anticancer therapy.