Antiproliferative Effect of Royal Jelly on Human Cancer Cell Lines: Potential Involvement of Bioactive Compounds

Royal jelly (RJ), a complex secretion of honeybees, possesses a range of bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This study presents novel evidence that the anticancer activity of RJ arises from synergistic interactions among its bioactive components, highlighting its therapeutic potential and emphasizing the relevance of whole-extract strategies in natural product research. We specifically evaluated the antiproliferative effects of RJ on colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT-116 and DLD-1) and examined associations between its chemical composition—focusing on 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), acidity, moisture content—and biological activity. In vitro assays demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, with limited cytotoxicity toward normal epithelial cells (FHC), indicating selective activity. Multivariate analyses, including principal component and hierarchical cluster analysis, identified a positive correlation between higher 10-HDA and acidity levels and enhanced antiproliferative effects. These findings suggest that the anticancer potential of RJ is driven by synergistic interactions among its bioactive constituents. RJ may serve as a promising adjunctive therapeutic candidate for colorectal cancer, warranting further preclinical and clinical investigation.