Bee products: An overview of sources, biological activities and advanced approaches used in apitherapy application

Abstract

Background: Bee therapy (Apitherapy, Api-treatment, Bee treatment) is a type of biotherapy that uses bees and their products as medicinal or preventative measures to control progression of diseases. In many countries today, apitherapy is a section of complementary and integrative medicine. The aim of this review is to explore the different bee products and their therapeutic potentials. Method: We searched the literature and then explored and evaluated evidence for bee products’ composition, therapeutic abilities and novel techniques used to enhance their effectiveness. Results: Data revealed that there are continuous advances in research and clinical trials of bee therapy. A better understanding of the composition of bee products generated great interest in their use for medical treatments. Bee products either collected or synthesized promote healing through reducing inflammation, enhancing circulation, and inducing a healthy immunological response, Furthermore, researchers have developed innovative approaches such as nanoparticles, scaffold, nanofibers, and others to increase the bioavailability of bee products and overcome problems with the traditional use of these products. Conclusion: Bee therapy is a simple, accessible, and easy-to-use pharmaceutical that is used in conventional medicine and has the potential to treat a variety of diseases. However, further studies are needed to prove its efficacy, and safety. Lack of practice regulations is still an issue.

Keywords

• Apitherapy
• Bee products
• Apis mellifera
• Beehive air therapy
• Apilarnil
• Bee venom therapy