Evaluation of the effectiveness of beehive air and pollen treatments in rats

In recent years, beehive air (apiair), which is used as a supportive treatment for respiratory disorders like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and bronchitis, has attracted significant interest. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in selected serum biochemical parameters immunoglobulines, and antioxidants in rats using combinations of beehive air, pollen, and beehive air + pollen. Furthermore, the effect of apiair treatment on asthma and COPD patients was evaluated. Rats were divided into the five groups: (1) Control, (2) sham, (3) beehive air, (4) pollen, and (5) beehive air + pollen. They were treated for 20 days and fed ad libitum. Inorganic phosphate (Pi), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) concentrations were higher in the beehive air and the beehive air + pollen groups (P < 0.05), and blood urea nitrogen, immunoglobulin G and M concentrations were higher in the pollen group (P < 0.05) compared to control. The elevation in blood albumin, Fe, Zn, and Pi concentrations following beehive air treatment (P < 0.05) and the elevation in blood Fe, Zn, Pi, and calcium concentrations following beehive air + pollen treatment (P < 0.05) indicated that beehive air alone or in combination with pollen may be an effective supportive treatment option in cases of Zn deficiency disorders, iron deficiency anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, and hypocalcaemia. Furthermore, the finding of high Zn and Fe concentrations in beehive air (P < 0.05) may explain the effect of beehive air treatment on pulmonary disorders reported in literature such as asthma and COPD with low blood Zn and Fe concentrations.