Investigation of the Effect of Chestnut Honey and Curcumin Combination on Lifespan in the Experimental Heat Stress Model of Honey Bee

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Abstract
The effects of global warming could be devastating to all forms of life on Earth. Premature aging and diseases related to heat stress can be triggered by prolonged exposure to high temperatures. The limited number of studies on honey bees as model organisms focuses on the potential of natural products to slow down aging process and prolong healthy lifespan. Here we aimed to test the effects of two natural products, chestnut honey and curcumin, on the lifespan of honey bees under heat stress conditions in an experimental system. Honey bees were fed diets consisting of sugar syrup with or without chestnut honey, curcumin and their combinations while they were kept in cages held in an incubator at 35°C and 60% humidity for ten days. On the 10th day, the temperature was raised to 45°C and the cages were kept at this temperature for 3 h. Afterwards, the temperature was lowered to 35°C and the honey bees in the cages continued to feed. Food consumption and number of dead bees in each group were determined everyday. It was found that under stress conditions the average lifespan was prolonged in honey bees fed chestnut honey and curcumin combination, without any changes in their food consumptions. Combined therapy increased the lifespan from 12 to 18 days, while individually chestnut honey was less effective (15 days), and curcumin has no effect (12 days). The results of current study are expected to contribute experimental and practical use of chestnut honey with or without curcumin as a food supplement for not only for honey bees but also for other animals, and human.

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