Shaden A. M. Khalifa

Purpose Cancer is a major global issue threatening the whole world, especially developing countries. Treatment of cancer using chemotherapy and radiotherapy has several consequences that negatively affect the quality of life of cancer patients. Methods Bee products have numerous pharmacological effects and clinical impacts due to their extraordinary chemical composition. The objective of the current work is to shed light on preclinical studies and clinical trials of bee products, particularly propolis, honey, and royal jelly, with special emphasis on their role in reducing the complications of chemotherapy and radiotherapy by employing a variety of databases. The search used specific keywords, including “bee products”, “propolis”, “honey”, “royal jelly”, “cancer”, “clinical trials”, “radiotherapy”, and “chemotherapy”. Only peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and published research papers were included. Results According to the literature review, bee-generated propolis, honey, and royal jelly have been used in animal models to reduce the adverse effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Depending on the kind of cancer, different dosages and treatment times were used for certain bee products. Bee products are used in various forms, such as crude, in capsules, mouthwashes, tablets, and oils. Propolis, royal jelly, and honey are used at dosages up to 400 mg, 1 g, and 50 g, respectively. Clinical trials have further confirmed their efficacy in cancer treatment, either as standalone therapies or as supplements to conventional treatments. Conclusion It is crucial to investigate the active mechanisms of these products further and to include them in additional clinical trials as potential cancer treatments.

This study uses Scientometric analysis to review Sigesbeckiae Herba (SH) research worldwide from 1980 to 2024. Data-driven analysis identifies patterns, partnerships, and possibilities. Due to its wide profile and traditional medical uses, SH is gaining attention, according to this research. China has made the most important contributions to SH research, followed by the United stated of America and Korea. Countries and organizations have not collaborated on SH research. We found “anti-inflammation,” “rheumatic arthritis,” and “NF-κβ” using keyword co-occurrence analysis. Citation analysis showed SH research's most prominent institutions, journals, and authors, offering a complete snapshot of organization and diffusion. The data shows that this subject has received substantial academic interest despite a reduction in publications since 2019. These findings highlight the need for cooperation, multidisciplinary methods, and attention to underrepresented disciplines for academics, funding organizations, and policymakers. SH has been used to cure inflammation. Sigesbeckia orientalis L., S. pubescens Makino, and S. glabrescens Makino are the primary botanical sources. This research extensively evaluates SH literature, focusing on its botanical properties, bioactive components, pharmacological effects, and probable toxicity. More than three hundred phytochemicals, including flavonoids, diterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, oxylipins, and lignoids, were identified in the extract, many of which are known to exert diverse biological effects. The extracts of SH are used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) due to its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities and are being considered for cosmetics and skin issues. Pharmacological benefits of diterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and flavonoids are found. The study recommends further research and cooperation to enhance TCM and herbal research by comparing the chemical and pharmacological properties of these three SH species.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. The disease spreads over the world and has an impact on human health and welfare. The patients suffer from cognitiv disability in addition to economic and social effects. It is urgently necessary to find effective medication for cognitive decline because it appears to be a central focus of neurological and neurodegenerative illnesses. Cognitive decline is an intriguing pathophysiological state. Such underlying causes of cognitive impairment linked to neurodegeneration include oxidative damage and diminished cholinergic neurotransmission. The approved therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like AD are known to have undesirable side effects and merely offer symptomatic alleviation. Honeybee products have long been recognized for their therapeutic and health-improving properties. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of bee products and their ingredients are promising agents for AD. The current review aimed to collect and expose the different studies conducted on the neuroprotective potential of honeybee products such as bee venom and propolis or their active components chrysin, ferulic acid, and quercetin in combination with the conventional anti-AD or anti-dementia treatments such as donepezil and rivastigmine. Additionally, the active component chitosan was found to form effective nanoparticles in treating the neurodegenerative diseases in concern. Although the studies collected on this topic were few, they highlighted the potential synergistic effect of honeybee products in treating AD. In conclusion, bee products combined with donepezil and rivastigmine can be considered a potential neuroprotective agent against AD. Further studies are needed to support the preclinical studies and promote the clinical trials.

The journal retracts the article titled “Curcumin-Injected Musca domestica Larval Hemolymph: Cecropin Upregulation and Potential Anticancer Effect”

The journal Metabolites retracts the article “In Vitro Induction of Apoptosis in Isolated Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells: The Role of Anastatica hierochuntica Methanolic Extract”

Marine natural products have long been recognized as a vast and diverse source of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications, particularly in oncology. This review provides an updated overview of the significant advances made in the discovery and development of marine-derived anticancer drugs between 2019 and 2023. With a focus on recent research findings, the review explores the rich biodiversity of marine organisms, including sponges, corals, algae, and microorganisms, which have yielded numerous compounds exhibiting promising anticancer properties. Emphasizing the multifaceted mechanisms of action, the review discusses the molecular targets and pathways targeted by these compounds, such as cell cycle regulation, apoptosis induction, angiogenesis inhibition, and modulation of signaling pathways. Additionally, the review highlights the innovative strategies employed in the isolation, structural elucidation, and chemical modification of marine natural products to enhance their potency, selectivity, and pharmacological properties. Furthermore, it addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with the development of marine-derived anticancer drugs, including issues related to supply, sustainability, synthesis, and clinical translation. Finally, the review underscores the immense potential of marine natural products as a valuable reservoir of novel anticancer agents and advocates for continued exploration and exploitation of the marine environment to address the unmet medical needs in cancer therapy Graphical Abstract