Genoprotective Effects of Thai Royal Jelly against Doxorubicin in Human Lymphocytes in Vitro

Abstract

Genoprotective effects of royal jelly (RJ) treatments against doxorubicin (DXR), a potent genotoxic chemotherapeutic compound in human lymphocytes were investigated using the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay, and their molecular mechanisms were examined by Western blot. Results showed that RJ pretreatments at 0.005 and 0.05 mg/mL significantly decreased DXR-induced SCE levels by 1.2-fold (p<0.05), compared to DXR treatment alone. Co-treatment of RJ (5 mg/mL) with DXR (0.2 μg/mL) increased the ratios of BCL2/BAX (1.5-fold), NRF2/BAX (1.3-fold), and hTERT/BAX (1.1-fold) compared to the DXR alone, suggesting its power in enhancing cell survival, antioxidative potentials, and longevity over cell death. The study suggested that RJ protected human cells from DXR-induced genotoxicity, possibly mediated through anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, and anti-aging properties of RJ. However, lower doses of RJ co-treatments enhanced DXR toxicity. Further, in vivo molecular study is required to validate this in vitro study.