Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in the production of plastics and epoxy resins due to its low cost, durability, and heat resistance. However, BPA is a well-known endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), and increasing evidence shows that both prenatal and postnatal exposure can negatively affect brain development. These harmful effects are mainly linked to oxidative stress, which can lead to neuroinflammation, disruption of synaptic function, and impairment in learning and memory, especially in the hippocampus. Due to the limitations of current pharmacological treatments, there is growing interest in natural products with neuroprotective effects. Kelulut honey (trigona honey), produced by stingless bees ( Heterotrigona itama ), contains various bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, organic acids, and trehalulose. Recent studies suggest that Kelulut honey may help protect the brain by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, regulating cell death, maintaining mitochondrial function, and enhancing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signalling. It may also support synaptic plasticity through N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and influence estrogen-related pathways. This narrative review summarizes current findings on the neuroprotective effects of Kelulut honey against BPA-induced neurotoxicity, highlights existing research gaps, and suggests the need for further well-designed studies to confirm its potential.
Azmi et al. (Fri,) studied this question.