Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Some Bee Products by Inhibition of Bovine Testes Hyaluronidase

Background: Apitherapeutic products contain many valuable bioactive compounds which are responsible for biologically active features such as anti-oxidant, anti-viral, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Objective: This study investigated in vitro anti-inflammatory potentials in terms of hyaluronidase inhibition of three different bee products, propolis, pollens and royal jellies. Methods: Water soluble extracts of the samples were prepared, and inhibitions of bovine serum hyaluronidase were used. Inhibitions were expressed as percentages of inhibition (IC50;μg/mL or mg/mL) causing 50% inhibition of the enzyme. Results: All the bee products exhibited anti-hyaluronidase activities in the order propolis, pollen, and finally royal jelly. Inhibition was also correlated with the samples’ total phenolic contents. Conclusion: The study results confirm that water-soluble propolis is the best inhibitory agent among the bee products, and that these may be used as anti-inflammatory agents. However, further in vivo studies are now needed to clarify their pharmaceutical potentials as medicines.