The Anti-Viral and Cognitive Enhancement Properties of Edible Bird's Nest: A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71341/bmwj.v1i3.22Keywords:
Bird nest, Anti-viral, Cognitive, EnhancerAbstract
Background: Edible bird's nest has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine since the 7th century. It is rich in protein, carbohydrates, moisture, ash, and fat. Recent research has focused on its potential health benefits, such as anti-viral properties, cognitive enhancement, and roles as an immunomodulator and antioxidant.
Objective: This review explores the anti-viral and cognitive enhancement properties of edible bird's nest.
Methods: This review followed the PRISMA Scoping Review (PRISMA ScR) guidelines. Relevant studies were systematically identified using PubMed and Google Scholar with keywords such as "edible bird's nest," "anti-viral," "cognitive enhancer," and "Alzheimer's disease." In vitro and in vivo studies published in peer-reviewed journals that focused on the anti-viral and cognitive effects of edible bird's nest were included. Articles were initially screened through titles and abstracts, and relevant studies were reviewed in full to extract key data on study design, methods, and outcomes.
Results: Edible bird's nest enhances cell functions by increasing the density and number of lysosomes, reducing Rab5 protein activity, enhancing mucin production, and modulating Rhoa expression, which regulates actin cytoskeleton dynamics. These mechanisms inhibit the attachment, endocytosis, maturation, and release of influenza A virus particles. As a cognitive enhancer, edible bird's nest significantly improves memory and neuroprotective functions by inhibiting neuroinflammatory processes and oxidative stress. Additionally, it may enhance mitochondrial function and increase the number of active mitochondria.
Conclusion: Edible bird's nest demonstrates anti-viral and cognitive enhancement effects with no reported side effects in vitro and in vivo. Further research should aim at clinical trials to establish effective and optimal dosages.
References
Careena, S., Sani, D., Tan, S. N., Lim, C. W., Hassan, S., Norhafizah, M., Kirby, B. P., Ideris, A., Stanslas, J., Bin, B. H., & Lim, C. T. S. (2018). Effect of Edible Bird's Nest Extract on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Impairment of Learning and Memory in Wistar Rats. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9318789
Chok, K. C., Ng, M. G., Ng, K. Y., Koh, R. Y., Tiong, Y. L., & Chye, S. M. (2021). Edible Bird's Nest: Recent Updates and Industry Insights Based on Laboratory Findings. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 746656.
Chua, K. H., Mohamed, I. N., Mohd Yunus, M. H., Shafinaz Md Nor, N., Kamil, K., Ugusman, A., & Kumar, J. (2021). The Anti-Viral and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Edible Bird's Nest in Influenza and Coronavirus Infections: From Pre-Clinical to Potential Clinical Application. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 633292.
Daud, N., Mohamad Yusop, S., Babji, A. S., Lim, S. J., Sarbini, S. R., & Hui Yan, T. (2021). Edible bird's nest: Physicochemical properties, production, and application of bioactive extracts and glycopeptides. Food Reviews International, 37(2), 177-196.
Guo, C. T., Takahashi, T., Bukawa, W., Takahashi, N., Yagi, H., Kato, K., Hidari, K. I., Miyamoto, D., Suzuki, T., & Suzuki, Y. (2006). Edible bird's nest extract inhibits influenza virus infection. Antiviral Research., 70(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2006.02.005
Haghani, A., Mehrbod, P., Safi, N., Kadir, F. A., Omar, A. R., & Ideris, A. (2017). Edible bird's nest modulate intracellular molecular pathways of influenza A virus infected cells. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1498-x
Hou, Z., He, P., Imam, M. U., Qi, J., Tang, S., Song, C., & Ismail, M. (2017). Edible Bird's Nest Prevents Menopause-Related Memory and Cognitive Decline in Rats via Increased Hippocampal Sirtuin-1 Expression. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity., 2017(1), 7205082.
Kalil, A. C., & Thomas, P. G. (2019). Influenza virus-related critical illness: pathophysiology and epidemiology. Critical Care. , 23(1), 1-7.
Kim, O. K., Kim, D., Lee, M., Park, S. H., Yamada, W., Eun, S., & Lee, J. (2021). Standardized Edible Bird's Nest Extract Prevents UVB Irradiation-Mediated Oxidative Stress and Photoaging in the Skin. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 10(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10091452
Lee, T. H., Wani, W. A., Lee, C. H., Cheng, K. K., Shreaz, S., Wong, S., Hamdan, N., & Azmi, N. A. (2021). Edible Bird's Nest: The Functional Values of the Prized Animal-Based Bioproduct From Southeast Asia-A Review. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 626233.
Loh, S.-P., Cheng, S.-H., & Mohamed, W. (2022). Edible Bird's Nest as a Potential Cognitive Enhancer. Frontiers in Neurology, 13, 865671.
Masuda, S., Makioka-Itaya, Y., Ijichi, T., & Tsukahara, T. (2022). Edible bird's nest extract downregulates epidermal apoptosis and helps reduce damage by ultraviolet radiation in skin of hairless mice. Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, 70(1). https://doi.org/10.3164/jcbn.21-54
Mohamad Ibrahim, R., Mohamad Nasir, N. N., Abu Bakar, M. Z., Mahmud, R., & Ab Razak, N. A. (2021). The Authentication and Grading of Edible Bird's Nest by Metabolite, Nutritional, and Mineral Profiling. Foods, 10(7), 1574.
Mohamad Nasir, N. N., Mohamad Ibrahim, R., Abu Bakar, M. Z., Mahmud, R., & Ab Razak, N. A. (2021). Characterization and Extraction Influence Protein Profiling of Edible Bird's Nest. Foods, 10(10), 2248.
Rashed, A. A., Ahmad, H., Abdul Khalid, S. K., & Rathi, D.-N. G. (2021). The Potential Use of Sialic Acid From Edible Bird's Nest to Attenuate Mitochondrial Dysfunction by In Vitro Study. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 633303.
Tan, S. N., Sani, D., Lim, C. W., Ideris, A., Stanslas, J., & Lim, C. T. S. (2020). Proximate Analysis and Safety Profile of Farmed Edible Bird's Nest in Malaysia and Its Effect on Cancer Cells. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8068797
Tong, S.-R., Lee, T.-H., Cheong, S.-K., & Lim, Y.-M. (2021). Geographical Factors Influencing the Metabolite Distribution of House Edible Bird's Nests in Malaysia. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 658634.
Tricco, A. C., Erin, L., & Zarin, W. (2018). PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation. Annals of internal medicine, 467-473.
Unal, K. I., Chang, L. S., Wan Mustapha, W. A., Mohd Razali, N. S., Babji, A. S., & Lim, S. J. (2022). Edible bird's nest, a valuable glycoprotein source: Current research prospects and challenges in Malaysia. Sains Malaysiana, 51(9), 2829-2842.
Wang, W., Zhao, F., Ma, X., Perry, G., & Zhu, X. (2020). Mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: recent advances. Molecular Neurodegeneration., 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13024-020-00376-6
Wang, X., Hu, D., Liao, F., Chen, S., Meng, Y., Dai, J., Dong, T. T. X., Lao, Z., Yu, L., Liang, Y., Lai, X., Tsim, K. W. K., & Li, G. (2023). Comparative proteomic analysis of edible bird's nest from different origins. Scientific Reports., 13(1), 1-11.
Yeo, B.-H., Tang, T.-K., Wong, S.-F., Tan, C.-P., Wang, Y., Cheong, L.-Z., & Lai, O.-M. (2021). Potential Residual Contaminants in Edible Bird's Nest. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 631136.
Zhao, R., Li, G., Kong, X. J., Huang, X. Y., Li, W., Zeng, Y. Y., & Lai, X. P. (2016). The improving effects of edible bird's nest on proliferation and activation of B lymphocyte and its antagonistic effects on immunosuppression induced by cyclophosphamide. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 10. https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S88193
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Cuay Yusnianingsih
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
License
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercial purposes.
- Adaptation — mixing, changing, and developing materials for any purpose, even commercial ones.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
