https://doi.org/10.17113/ftb.64.04.26.9325

Article in press

Evaluation of the Protective and Antioxidant Effects of Apilarnil Against Acute Exercise Induced Skeletal Muscle Damage in Rats

Cemre Başol^1*, Meral Kekeçoğlu² and Sinem Kantarcioğlu Coşkun³

¹Duzce University Natural, Herbal and Cosmetic Products Doctoral Program, 81620 Duzce, Turkey

²Duzce University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 81620 Duzce, Turkey

³Duzce University Medical Faculty, Department of Pathology, 81620 Duzce, Turkey

Copyright © 2026 This is a Diamond Open Access article published under CC-BY licence. Copyright remains with the authors, who grant third parties the unrestricted right to use, copy, distribute and reproduce the article as long as the original author(s) and source are acknowledged.

Food Technol. Biotechnol. 2026; 64(4).

Article history:

Received: 17 August 2025

Accepted: 18 October 2026

Keywords:

apilarnil; natural product; exercise; muscle damage; oxidative stress

Summary:

Research background. This study investigated the potential muscle-reparative effects of apilarnil, a drone bee-derived bioactive product, and its protective role against skeletal muscle damage induced by acute physical exercise. It aimed to compare the muscle repair mechanisms of apilarnil and whey protein in relation to oxidative stress and antioxidant status in male Sprague Dawley rats.

Experimental approach. Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to six experimental groups (N=6 per group): control (C), apilarnil only (AP), whey protein only (W), exercise only (E), exercise combined with whey protein (E+W), and exercise combined with apilarnil (E+AP). The exercise protocol included a two-week adaptation period followed by a single session of acute treadmill running. Apilarnil (0.8 g/kg) and whey protein (2 g/kg) were administered orally as a single dose 30 minutes post-exercise. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture for biochemical analyses of muscle injury markers creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as well as antioxidant enzymes including catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH), alongside inflammatory parameters. Skeletal muscle tissue samples were also subjected to histopathological evaluation.

Results and conclusions. Acute exercise induced oxidative stress, accompanied by significant increases in CK and LDH levels. Apilarnil administration attenuated these increases and enhanced antioxidant enzyme levels, suggesting an improved antioxidant defense against exercise-induced oxidative stress. Although the present findings do not provide conclusive evidence regarding the involvement of the SIRT1 signaling pathway in these protective effects, further mechanistic studies are required to clarify its role. Overall, these findings support the potential of apilarnil as a natural functional dietary supplement for reducing exercise-induced oxidative stress and promoting muscle recovery following acute physical activity.

Novelty and scientific contribution. This study is the first to compare the muscle repair mechanisms of apilarnil and whey protein in male Sprague Dawley rats in relation to oxidative stress and antioxidant status. The findings highlight apilarnil’s potential as a natural alternative to whey protein, one of the most widely used sports supplements worldwide.