REGULATORY EFFECT OF BEE POLLEN ON INTESTINAL FLORA

Rape bee pollen alleviates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis by neutralizing IL-1β and regulating the gut microbiota in mice

Research conducted at Northwest University, China, in 2019, investigated the effect of rape bee pollen extract on preventing colitis in mice. The study showed that rape bee pollen at 21.2 g/kg body weight and 10.6 g/kg body weight ameliorated colon shortening, spleen swelling, and colon weight reduction. In addition, bee pollen treatment improved the structure of colonic villi, glandular structures, and crypts and inhibited the activities of related inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, the gut microbial structure of mice with colitis was altered so that the abundances of Allobaculum and Bacteroides were significantly reduced, and the abundance of Lactobacillus was markedly increased. This study revealed the protection of the colon from DSS-induced colitis by increasing antioxidant capacity, alleviating inflammation, and regulating the gut microbiota.* *Chen, S., Zhao, H., Cheng, N. and Cao, W., 2019. Rape bee pollen alleviates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis by neutralizing IL-1β and regulating the gut microbiota in mice. Food Research International, 122, pp.241-251.

Source:  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996919302455