10-HDA

10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA for short) is a bioactive fatty acid that occurs above all in royal jelly, a special feeding juice produced by honeybees. Royal jelly serves as a food source for the queen bee and plays a decisive role in her development and lifespan. 10-HDA is one of the most important active components of royal jelly and is being investigated scientifically because of its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties.

What benefits does 10-HDA bring?

10-HDA shows a range of positive health effects in various studies:

• Antimicrobial effect: 10-HDA possesses strong antibacterial and antiviral properties that can support the immune system. It has been demonstrated that it inhibits the growth of pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (1,2,3).
• Immunomodulation: Studies show that 10-HDA can exert a regulating effect on the immune system. In studies it was able to stimulate the production of immune cells such as macrophages and could thus help the body to defend itself against infections (1,4,5).
• Inhibition of inflammation: 10-HDA has anti-inflammatory properties that could be of use in the treatment of chronic inflammation and associated conditions. This could be particularly advantageous in conditions such as arthritis or chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (1,6).
• Anti-tumor activity: Some studies suggest that 10-HDA could have an inhibiting effect on the growth of cancer cells. This could be attributable to the ability of the acid to regulate cell growth and to promote programmed cell death (apoptosis) in tumor cells (1,).
• Skin regeneration and anti-aging: 10-HDA is also used in cosmetic products, since it supports the cell regeneration of the skin and possibly has an anti-aging effect. It can help to protect the skin against damage from free radicals, which could lead to an improvement of skin elasticity (7).

How does 10-HDA work?

The exact mode of action of 10-HDA is so far not fully understood, yet there are several mechanisms through which the bioactive fatty acid develops its effects. 10-HDA can attack the cell membrane of bacteria and destroy its integrity, whereby the growth and the multiplication of the bacteria could be stopped (8). 10-HDA influences cytokine production, in particular through the stimulation of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, which can lead to a balanced immune response (1). Moreover, it has also been linked to antioxidant effects (1) by neutralizing free radicals. This is important for the protection of cells and tissues against oxidative stress, which can lead to aging processes and diseases (8).

Intake and Use

10-HDA is offered in various forms, frequently in dietary supplements that contain royal jelly. In cosmetics, 10-HDA is found in anti-aging products such as creams and serums. The optimal dosage of 10-HDA has so far not been precisely established, since standardized studies in humans are lacking. It is recommended, however, that intake take place in consultation with a physician, primarily in the case of prolonged use. Royal jelly with a high 10-HDA content is available in capsules, powder or liquid form.

Are there risks associated with taking 10-HDA?

Taking 10-HDA, in particular in the form of royal jelly, is regarded as safe in most cases, yet there are a few points to note:

• Allergic reactions: People who react allergically to bee products should refrain from taking royal jelly and 10-HDA, since allergic reactions such as skin rashes, breathing problems or even anaphylactic shock can occur.
• Interactions with medications: There are indications that royal jelly and 10-HDA can influence the effect of certain medications, in particular those for blood coagulation or blood pressure regulation. People who take medication regularly should consult a physician before taking it.

References:

\1) Collazo, N., Carpena, M., Nuñez-Estevez, B., Otero, P., Simal-Gandara, J., & Prieto, M. A. (2021). Health Promoting Properties of Bee Royal Jelly: Food of the Queens. Nutrients, 13(2), 543. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020543

\2) Yang, Y. C., Chou, W. M., Widowati, D. A., Lin, I. P., & Peng, C. C. (2018). 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid of royal jelly exhibits bactericide and anti-inflammatory activity in human colon cancer cells. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 18(1), 202. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-018-2267-9

\3) Wang, T., Li, J., Yang, X., & Wang, R. (2013). Inhibitory action of 10-HDA on the growth of Escherichia coli: Role of cell membrane integrity.

\4) Dusan Mihajlovic, Ivan Rajkovic, Ioanna Chinou, Miodrag Colic, Dose-dependent immunomodulatory effects of 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells, Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 5, Issue 2, 2013, Pages 838-846, ISSN 1756-4646, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2013.01.031.

\5) Hideki Oka, Yutaka Emori, Naomi Kobayashi, Yoshiro Hayashi, Kikuo Nomoto, Suppression of allergic reactions by royal jelly in association with the restoration of macrophage function and the improvement of Th1/Th2 cell responses, International Immunopharmacology, Volume 1, Issue 3, 2001,Pages 521-532, ISSN 1567-5769, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1567-5769(00)00007-2.

\6) You M.M., Chen Y.F., Pan Y.M., Liu Y.C., Tu J., Wang K., Hu F.L. Royal jelly attenuates LPS-induced inflammation in BV-2 microglial cells through modulating NF-κB and p38/JNK signaling pathways. Mediat. Inflamm. 2018;2018:7834381. doi: 10.1155/2018/7834381.

\7) Mirbaha, S., Bagheri, M., & Mahmoudi-Nejad, S. (2019). 10-Hydroxy-2-Decenoic Acid Prevents Ultraviolet A-Induced Expression of Lamin AÄ150 in Human Dermal Fibroblasts. Maedica, 14(4), 327–331. https://doi.org/10.26574/maedica.2019.14.4.327

\8) Pandey B.K., Srivastava S., Singh M., Ghosh J.K. Inducing toxicity by introducing a leucine-zipper-like motif in frog antimicrobial peptide, magainin 2. Biochem. J. 2011;436:609–620. doi: 10.1042/BJ20110056.