المستخلصات النباتية و دورها في تحفيز إنتاج الببتيدات المضادة للميكروبات لدى شغالات نحل العسل Apis mellifera L.

Abstract EN

This study aimed to investigate the role of some plant extracts on the stimulation of the honey bee immune system in addition to their effect on survival time of worker bees.

Honey bee samples were collected during April 2016.

The following five plant extracts were used: plant oils of Artemisia herba-albam, Thymus serpyllum, Citrus aurantium, and aqueous extract of plant leaves of Laurus nobilis and Aloysia citriodora.

The lethal dose (LD50) of studied plant extracts 24 hours after treatment ranged between 117.25 ppm for the A.

herba-alba plant oil and 476.1 ppm for the aqueous extract of L.

nobilis leaves.

All studied plant extracts had a significant effect on increasing both the mean and median survival time of honey bees as compared to the control.

The results showed the ability of plant extracts to induce the synthesis and assembly of antimicrobial peptides in a different manner depending on the concentration used and the period of application.

This is a preliminary study which will pave the way for further studies in order to develop appropriate preventive and curative programs for honey bees.

Keywords: Antimicrobial peptides, immune system, honey bees, plant extracts