The potential of bee products in clinical trials focused on the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy used for cancer treatment.

Abstract

Cancer is a major global issue threatening the whole world, especially developing countries. Treatment of cancer using chemotherapy and radiotherapy has several consequences that negatively affect the quality of life of cancer patients. Bee products have numerous pharmacological effects and clinical impacts due to their extraordinary chemical composition. The objective of the current work is to shed light on preclinical studies and clinical trials of bee products, particularly propolis, honey, and royal jelly, with special emphasis on their role in reducing the complications of chemotherapy and radiotherapy by employing a variety of databases. The search used specific keywords, including "bee products", "propolis", "honey", "royal jelly", "cancer", "clinical trials", "radiotherapy", and "chemotherapy". Only peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and published research papers were included. According to the literature review, bee-generated propolis, honey, and royal jelly have been used in animal models to reduce the adverse effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Depending on the kind of cancer, different dosages and treatment times were used for certain bee products. Bee products are used in various forms, such as crude, in capsules, mouthwashes, tablets, and oils. Propolis, royal jelly, and honey are used at dosages up to 400 mg, 1 g, and 50 g, respectively. Clinical trials have further confirmed their efficacy in cancer treatment, either as standalone therapies or as supplements to conventional treatments. It is crucial to investigate the active mechanisms of these products further and to include them in additional clinical trials as potential cancer treatments.