Investigating the Anticonvulsant and Anti-Anxiety Effects of Royal Jelly in Adult Male Mice

Objective Royal jelly is a honey bee secretion that possesses beneficial effects on the nervous system. The present study investigates the effects of royal jelly in reducing convulsion and anxiety in mice. Methods In this experimental study to assess royal jelly's anticonvulsant effects, 25 male albino mice were randomly classified into five groups: control, royal jelly 100 mg/kg, royal jelly 200 mg/kg, royal jelly 400 mg/kg, and phenobarbital. After 30 minutes, strychnine was injected to induce convulsion in animals. The convulsion onset time, the convulsion duration, and the mortality percentage in animals were recorded. In the anxiety model, 35 male albino mice were randomly classified into five groups: control, royal jelly 50 mg/kg, royal jelly 100 mg/kg, royal jelly 200 mg/kg, and diazepam. Anxiety indices were examined by using an elevated plus maze (EPM). Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, and p-values less than 0.05were considered statistically significant. Results Royal jelly at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses delayed the convulsion onset time and decreased convulsion duration compared with the control group (p<0.05). The mortality percentage was also reduced with different doses of royal jelly compared to the control group (p<0.05). In the anxiety model, 50 and 100 mg/kg doses of royal jelly increased the time spent and the number of entries into the open arms of EPM (p<0.05). Conclusion Administration of royal jelly can effectively reduce seizures induced by strychnine and modulate anxiety behaviors in mice.