Chemical analysis and anti-aging properties of Greek pollen

Bee pollen, composed of flower pollen mixed with nectar and bee secretions [1], is used as health food with a wide range of nutritional and therapeutic properties. It is well known that the phenolic composition of pollen principally consists of flavonol glycosides and hydroxycinnamic acids [2]. This composition tends to be species-specific and has been related to its therapeutic properties. In order to evaluate the chemical composition of Greek pollen, which has never been studied before, a sample with botanical origin from 16 different common taxa from Greece was studied. From the methanolic extract of Greek bee pollen seven flavonoids (kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercitrin, isorhamnetin-3-O-sophoroside and three 7-methyl-herbacetin-diglucosides) have been isolated as well as cinnamic and ferulic acids and their esters, which mainly participate to the biosynthetic pathway of pollen phenolics. Their structural elucidation was determined by modern spectral means like 1D-, 2D-NMR and by GC/MS after silylation of polar fractions.

Four different extracts of the studied pollen sample have been tested for their induction of proteasome activities [3] in human fibroblasts. The water extract was found to induce proteasome activity 2 to 2.2 fold, which as a matter of fact shows interesting anti-aging properties. These data demonstrate clearly the beneficial effect of natural substances such as pollen, towards enhancement of cellular antioxidant mechanisms.

Acknowledgements: This study was supported by the General Secreteriat of Research and Technology of Grece (PAVET project) as well as by „Attiki“ A. Pittas, Bee-Culturing Company.

References: 1. Campos, M.G. et. al. (1997) Phytochem. Anal. 8:181–185. 2. Silva, S.A. et al. (2006)J. Food Comp. Anal. 19:507–511. 3. Katsiki, M. et. al. (2007) Rejuven. Res. 10: 157–172.