2.3. Immunity-Related Disorders
The active compounds in bee pollen are vital for boosting the number and activity of humoral immune cells and phagocytes, increasing the number of red blood cells, accelerating antibody formation, and delaying the elimination of antibodies (
Figure 1)
[72][39]. Bee pollen polysaccharide CCP-1 and CPP-2 isolated from bee pollen
Crataegus pinnatifida Bge improved the phagocytic rates and phagocytic indexes of macrophages. Moreover, CCP-2 stimulated splenocyte proliferation and NK cells
[73][40]. Four hundred birds were fed with bee pollen at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5% for five replicates in a fully randomized model. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) titers increased linearly with bee pollen dietary intake for 21 days, and similarly, thymus weight increased linearly with bee pollen dietary intake for 42 days, indicating that up to 1.5 percent bee pollen could be added to broiler feed until the age of 21 days to improve bird immunity
[4,74][4][41].
2.4. Chronic Diseases
Polyphenols found in bee pollen have antioxidant and antiproliferative properties, as well as the ability to regulate cell proliferation and cause apoptosis (
Figure 1)
[28][42]. The steroid fraction of bee pollen derived from
Brassica campestris chloroform extract induced apoptosis in prostate cancer PC-3 cells, resulting in cytotoxicity
[109][43]. It has been reported that bee pollen has a synergistic effect with the chemotherapy drug cisplatin, which is used to treat breast cancer, and that it might be used as a supplement during treatment
[28][42]. Melissa pollen displayed a substantial impact on the treatment of breast diseases when administered once a day
[110][44]. The capsule/tablet also included wall-broken bee pollen and
Ganoderma lucidum spore powder, which acts as an anti-tumor agent
[111][45].
Heart and coronary artery diseases are examples of cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory and reactive process in the arteries, associated with high serum cholesterol, oxidative stress, blood clotting, and a disrupted renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system equilibrium. For 16 weeks, 54 ApoE-knockout female mice were fed diets rich in bee pollen ethanolic extract (dosage 0.1 g/kg body mass). The levels of total cholesterol (TC), asymmetric di-methylarginine (ADMA), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and angiotensin-converting factor (ACEF) decreased significantly
[4,112][4][46].
2.5. Microbial Diseases
Because bee pollen comprises flavonoids and phenolic acids, its ethanol extracts are beneficial against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as
Staphylococcus aureus,
Escherichia coli,
Klebsiella pneumoniae, and
Pseudomonas aeurgionsa, as well as fungi such as
Candida albicans [122,123][47][48]. The usage of bee pollen and propolis inhibits the growth and reproduction of bacteria and microbes
[124][49]. Wall-broken bee pollen honey wine is a stronger antibacterial agent that can be used to limit the growth and reproduction of dangerous bacteria such as
Helicobacter pylori [125][50]. Bee pollen contains antibacterial and antioxidant components such as flavones and polysaccharides, and the flavone component can also suppress COX-2 activity in gingival tissues, making it an excellent anti-inflammatory agent
[126][51]. Furthermore, bee pollen is utilized in toothpaste because of its ability to suppress germs and also reduce inflammation in the mouth, teeth, and gums, thus preventing and treating oral inflammation, and increasing oral immunity
[127][52].
2.6. Applications in Food Industry
Bee pollen is used in food processing due to its nutritive, chemical, physical, and techno-functional properties. It has higher oil absorption capacity than water absorption capacity, low protein but high carbohydrate solubility, better emulsifying properties, and foam depressing activity
[13][11]. Black pudding with bee pollen is a natural antioxidant source to prevent lipid oxidation
[130][53]. Moreover, its addition to pineapple juice at 400 MPa increased the overall bioactive compounds such as phenolic and carotenoids within 15 min
[131][54]. Due to its content of proteins, including essential amino acids, enzymes, coenzymes, large numbers of vitamins, and trace elements
[132][55], bee pollen was used as a food supplement for older horses and prevented the reduction in hematological parameters seen in control horses; it increased the homeostasis of several lipid parameters, and improved the homeostasis of urea and plasma proteins
[133][56].
2.7. Cosmetic Applications
Rose bee pollen has a substantial impact on acne therapy when taken as tablets, oral liquid, capsules, electuary, recreational food, or a beverage. It contains proteins, minerals, vitamins, vital amino acids, and fatty acids such as linoleic and linolenic acids
[147][57]. Melissa bee pollen acts on skin cell trophism, wrinkle reduction, as well as freckle therapy
[148][58]. Ganoderma bee pollen extract maintains skin moisture and smoothness, improves skin tension, and maintains skin youth
[149][59].
3. Conclusions
Pollen from bees has been used since prehistoric times due to its remarkable medical potential. Bee pollen has gained considerable interest because of its proven nutritional value, particularly in the fields of functional and health-beneficial manufacturing. Many ailments, including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, prostatitis, and microbial and immune diseases, have been treated with bee pollen. The use of bee pollen in bread, fried, stewed, and canned foods, pastries, and beverages increases the nutritional value of the product, as well as its antioxidant and sterilizing properties. Scientists should apply the results from patent reports in clinical trials.
However, there are limitations in the use of bee pollen-based products due to their complexity and variability, which highlight the need for standardization before safe therapeutic usage.