Antioxidant and Health Properties of Beehive Products Against Oxidative Stress-Mediated Carcinogenesis

Environmental toxins and oxidizing agents are the common causes of oxidative stress in different biological systems. Oxidative stress is a common etiological factor of cancer in different human organs, and the oxidative stress-mediated carcinogenesis includes activation of oncogenic transcription factors, inhibition of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase), and depletion of glutathione, the major cellular antioxidant. Clinical studies continue to support the notion that different beehive products (honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, and venom) supplementation combats cancer development based on their antioxidant and health properties.