Propolis prevents inhibition of apoptosis by potassium bromate in CCD 841 human colon cell

Propolis Has an Anticancer Effect on Early Stage Colorectal Cancer by Affecting Epithelial Differentiation and Gut Immunity in the Tumor Microenvironment

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. Due to the westernization of diets, young patients with CRC are often diagnosed at advanced stages with an associated poor prognosis. Improved lifestyle choices are one way to minimize CRC risk. Among diet choices is the inclusion of bee propolis, long recognized as a health supplement with anticancer activities. Understanding the effect of propolis on the gut environment is worth exploring, and especially its associated intratumoral immune changes and its anticancer effect on the occurrence and development of CRC. In this study, early stage CRC was induced with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for one month in an animal model, without and with propolis administration. The phenotypes of early stage CRC were evaluated by X-ray microcomputed tomography and histologic examination. The gut immunity of the tumor microenvironment was assessed by immunohistochemical staining for tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and further comparative quantification. We found that the characteristics of the CRC mice, including the body weight, tumor loading, and tumor dimensions, were significantly changed due to propolis administration. With further propolis administration, the CRC tissues of DMH/DSS-treated mice showed decreased cytokeratin 20 levels, a marker for intestinal epithelium differentiation. Additionally, the signal intensity and density of CD3+ and CD4+ TILs were significantly increased and fewer forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) lymphocytes were observed in the lamina propria. In conclusion, we found that propolis, a natural supplement, potentially prevented CRC progression by increasing CD3+ and CD4+ TILs and reducing FOXP3 lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment of early stage CRC. Our study could suggest a promising role for propolis in complementary medicine as a food supplement to decrease or prevent CRC progression.

Bee Products and Colorectal Cancer—Active Components and Mechanism of Action

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the world. Lifestyle and eating patterns may have a significant impact on the prevention of this type of cancer. Bioactive food ingredients influence the gut microbiome and can have a protective effect. Bee products (honey, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom) or pharmacologically active fractions obtained from them are widely used in many fields of medicine, pharmacy, and cosmetics. Some evidence suggests that bee products may have anti-cancer potential. The main bioactive components with anti-colon cancer potential from propolis and bee honey are polyphenols such as pinocembrin, galangin, luteolin, CAPE, Artepilin C, chrysin, caffeic, and p-coumaric acids. This review is focused on the new data on epidemiology, risk factors for colon cancer, and current reports on the potential role of bee products in the chemoprevention of this type of cancer.

Protective effect of Urtica dioica in induced neurobehavioral changes, nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity after chronic exposure to potassium bromate in rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Chronic exposure to potassium bromate (KBrO₃), a toxic halogen in the environment, has become a global problem of public health. The current study aims to elucidate for the first time the effect of Urtica dioica (UD) on behavioural changes, oxidative stress, and histopathological changes induced by KBrO₃ in the cerebellum, kidney, liver and other organs of adult rats.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The rats were divided into four groups: group 1 served as a control received physiological serum, Group 2 received KBrO₃ (2 g/L of drinking water), group 3 received KBrO₃ and Urtica dioica (100 mg/kg), and group 4 received KBrO₃ and Urtica dioica (400 mg/kg). We then measured behavioural changes, oxidative stress, and biochemical and histological changes in the cerebellum, liver, kidney and others organs in these rats. After 30 days of treatment, the animals were sacrificed.

RESULTS

We observed significant behavioural changes in KBrO₃-exposed rats. When investigating redox homeostasis in the cerebellum, we found that mice treated with KBrO₃ had increased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation in the cerebellum. In addition, it inhibits hepatic and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP), attenuates KBrO₃-mediated enzyme depletion, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase enzymatic and antioxidant activities in the liver and kidney. Rats that were co-managed with Urtica dioica at the high portion of 400 mg/kg indicated a higher effect than that treated with the low dose of 100 mg/kg practically in all the tests carried out.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that Urtica dioica is a potential therapeutic agent for oxidative stress associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Anticancer Activity of Propolis and Its Compounds

Propolis is a natural material that honey bees (Apis mellifera) produce from various botanical sources. The therapeutic activity of propolis, including antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects, have been known since antiquity. Cancer is one of the major burdens of disease worldwide, therefore, numerous studies are being conducted to develop new chemotherapeutic agents and treatments for cancer. Propolis is a rich source of biologically active compounds, which affect numerous signaling pathways regulating crucial cellular processes. The results of the latest research show that propolis can inhibit proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis of cancer cells and stimulate apoptosis. Moreover, it may influence the tumor microenvironment and multidrug resistance of cancers. This review briefly summarizes the molecular mechanisms of anticancer activity of propolis and its compounds and highlights the potential benefits of propolis to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.