BACKGROUND: Propolis has numerous biologic activities including antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. The present work is aimed to study the effect of crude Egyptian propolis on tumor in mice induced by Ehrlich ascitis carcinoma (EAC) cell line.

The Results

The administration of propolis (160 mg/kg body weight), by gastric intubation 2 h before the intraperitoneal injection of EAC, effectively inhibited tumor growth and the proliferation of EAC.

The tumor volume was markedly reduced from 7+/-0.9 ml in EAC-infected mice to 1.6+/-0.95 ml in propolis-treated mice. Also, the lipid peroxide level which was 13.3+/-1.24 nmol malodialdehyde (MDA)/mg protein in EAC infected mice was significantly decreased to 3.3+/-2.1 nmol MDA/mg protein.

Reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) concentrations were markedly increased in propolis-treated mice. This effect was associated with inhibition of cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis.

Administration of propolis 2 h before injection of EAC arrested cells in G0/G1 phase and resulted in a decrease in the viability, DNA, total RNA and protein level of tumor cells.

Conclusions

Crude Egyptian propolis has a strong inhibitory activity against tumors. The anti-tumor mechanism may be mediated by preventing oxidative damage and induction of apoptosis.

Authors: El-khawaga OA; Salem TA; Elshal MF
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, Egypt. elkhawaga70s@mans.edu.eg

Journal: Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry
Issue: 2003; 338(1-2):11-6
ISSN :0009-8981