The Effect of Oral Use of Lyophilised Royal Jelly on Cognitive Functions and Immune System in Elderly Individuals

Dementia is a significant public health problem, affecting 47 million people worldwide in 2015, according to World Health Organization data. It is expected to increase to 75 million in 2030 and reach 132 million in 2050. Royal jelly is used as a supplement in treating of cancer, hypertension, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, anti-proliferative and anti-fatigue properties. There are preclinical studies on the curative and protective effects of royal jelly on cognitive functions. This randomized controlled, double-blind clinical trial is aimed to study the effect of oral use of lyophilized royal jelly for 4 weeks on immune system cytokine levels and cognitive functions in individuals aged 55-70 years without any neurological disease diagnosis. Primary outcome measures are the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale. Secondary outcome measures are the Geriatric Depression Scale, and serum interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6, and interleukin-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-β levels.