Search for: antioxidant

Numerous research data is indicating that propolis has the anticancer potential in preventing and therapy of tumor diseases.

Chemopreventive antioxidant
Native propolis has strong antioxidant effect. The genetic method of DNA chips at the “Ruder Boskovic” Institute in Zagreb showed that it explicitly amplifies the gene whose lack leads to appearance of reproductive organs cancer, lungs cancer and lymphatic system cancer. Propolis also protects from the occurrence of stomach cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer and skin cancer. During chemotherapies it protects kidneys and heart from acute damage with cytostatics (the cisplatin).

Anticancer potential
Method of DNA chips shows that the native propolis stops cancer and metastasis progression and also kills tumor and abnormal cells, but not healthy cells. In brain tumor (gliom) it stimulates the organism to produce the medicine on its own (the immunosuppression therapy). Radiation and cytostatics in the combination with propolis more efficiently prevent cancer progress and metastasizing, and side effects are considerably milder.

Preliminary tests
Influence of native propolis on tumor of milk gland has been tested on mouses at the “Ruder Boskovic” Institute in Zagreb. Results show that the native propolis slows down the progress of tumor and in combination with the cytostatic, anticancer effect is much more expressed. Best antitumor effect is achieved when native propolis is taken two weeks before the appearance of tumor, and then continued together with the cytostatic, on which also indicates the genetic method of DNA chips.
Research of influence of native propolis on blood and appearance of metastases is continuing.

Sobočanec S, Šverko V, Balog T, Šaric A, Rusak G, Likić S, Kušić B, Katalinić V, Radić S, Marotti T.

Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, Zagreb.

Native propolis was defined as propolis powder collected from the continental part of Croatia and prepared according to a patented process that preserves all the propolis natural nutritional and organoleptic qualities.

Nine phenolic compounds (out of thirteen tested) in propolis sample were detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Among them chrysin was the most abundant (2478.5 microg/g propolis). Contrary to moderate antioxidant activity of propolis examined in vitro (ferric reduction antioxidant power; FRAP-assay), propolis as a food supplement modulated antioxidant enzymes (AOE) and significantly decreased lipid peroxidation processes (LPO) in plasma, liver, lungs, and brain of mice. The effect was dose- and tissue-dependent. The lower dose (100 mg/kg bw) protected plasma from oxidation, whereas the higher dose (300 mg/kg bw) was pro-oxidative. Hyperoxia (long-term normobaric 100% oxygen) increased LPO in all three organs tested.

The highest vulnerability to oxidative stress was observed in lungs where hyperoxia was not associated with augmentation of AOE. Propolis protected lungs from hyperoxia by increased catalase (CAT) activity. This is of special importance for lungs since lungs of adult animals are highly vulnerable to oxidative stress because of their inability to augment AOE activity. Because of its strong antioxidant and scavenging abilities, native propolis might be used as a strong plant-based antioxidant effective not only in physiological conditions but also in cases that require prolonged high concentration of oxygen.