Gene expression analysis of the hippocampus in ovariectomized mice following royal jelly administration

Hormone replacement therapy is used to treat menopausal symptoms; however, no significant beneficial effects on psychiatric symptoms have been established. In recent years, naturally derived compounds have attracted attention as effective and safe therapeutic options.

One such compound, royal jelly (RJ), has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and estrogen-like properties, and has been suggested to improve anxiety- and depression-related behaviors in postmenopausal models; however, the mechanisms underlying these effects are unclear. In this study, to clarify the efficacy of RJ against menopause-associated psychiatric symptoms and its underlying mechanisms, we analyzed changes in gene expression in the hippocampus, a brain region associated with emotional regulation, using an ovariectomized (OVX) mouse model.