Propolis induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human leukemic U937 cells through Bcl-2/Bax regulation.

We investigated mechanism(s) where propolis induces apoptosis in human leukemic U937 cells. Propolis inhibited the proliferation of U937 cells in a dose-dependent manner by inducing apoptosis and blocking cell cycle progression in the G2/M phase. Western blot analysis showed that propolis increases the expression of p21 and p27 proteins, and decreases the levels of cyclin B1, cyclin A, Cdk2 and Cdc2, thereby contributing to cell cycle arrest.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in human myeloid leukemia U937 cells.

Caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE), a biologically active ingredient of propolis, has several interesting biological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immunostimulatory, anti-angiogenic, anti-invasive, anti-metastatic and carcinostatic activities. Recently, several groups have reported that CAPE is cytotoxic to tumor cells but not to normal cells. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of CAPE-induced apoptosis in human myeloid leukemia U937 cells.

Enhancement of radioprotection and anti-tumor immunity by yeast-derived beta-glucan in mice.

Intraperitoneal injection of beta-glucan was shown to greatly delay mortality in mice exposed to whole-body X-ray radiation and tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice. Since the leukocyte and lymphocyte numbers were increased by a single dose of beta-glucan, the radioprotective effect of beta-glucan is probably mediated, at least in part, by a hemopoietic action in irradiated mice. In addition, both natural killer (NK) and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activities were significantly increased by repeated doses of beta-glucan.

Caffeic acid phenyl ester in propolis is a strong inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and invasion inhibitor: isolation and identification.

Background: Propolis has been used as a folk medicine and has several proven biological activities. Herbal remedies recommended for cancer therapies in Korea.

Methods: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9-inhibitory activity of propolis has been assessed.

Immune activation and radioprotection by propolis.

In this study, we focused on immune stimulation by Propolis, and examined changes in the effect of irradiation after Propolis administration. We also examined the radioprotective effect of Propolis by observing its effect on the immune system. The effect of immune activation by Propolis was investigated by measuring the total immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM.

Effect of sesamin in Acanthopanax senticosus HARMS on behavioral dysfunction in rotenone-induced parkinsonian rats.

The aim of this study was to determine whether sesamin, a component from Acanthopanax senticosus HARMS (ASH) pharmacologically offers protection against Parkinson's disease (PD) and its related depressive behavior in rats administered rotenone. We also examined how sesamin affected the rotenone-induced loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-positive neurons in the midbrain of rats. Rats were orally administered sesamin (3, 30 mg/kg) once a day for 2 weeks before an intraperitoneal injection of rotenone (2.

Prolactin prevents acute stress-induced hypocalcemia and ulcerogenesis by acting in the brain of rat.

Stress causes hypocalcemia and ulcerogenesis in rats. In rats under stressful conditions, a rapid and transient increase in circulating prolactin (PRL) is observed, and this enhanced PRL induces PRL receptors (PRLR) in the choroid plexus of rat brain. In this study we used restraint stress in water to elucidate the mechanism by which PRLR in the rat brain mediate the protective effect of PRL against stress-induced hypocalcemia and ulcerogenesis.

Interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha induce collagenolysis and bone resorption by regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in mouse calvarial bone cells.

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) greatly induces osteoclast formation and stimulates bone resorption of mouse calvaria in culture. We examined the effects of the two cytokines on the collagenolysis and bone resorption by induction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The cells were analyzed using zymographic analysis.

Antitumor and anticytopenic effects of aqueous extracts of propolis in combination with chemotherapeutic agents.

Using an ICR mouse model bearing a syngeneic Ehrlich ascitis carcinoma, the present study was undertaken to examine the effects of crude, water-soluble propolis (CWSP) on tumor progression, chemotherapeutic efficacy, and hematopoiesis in the peripheral blood. It was demonstrated that CWSP, administered subcutaneously, resulted in marked regression of tumor growth in mice, at the early phase after tumor inoculation (CWSP, p < 0.05 vs.

Antidiabetic activity of Lyophyllum decastes in genetically type 2 diabetic mice.

The antidiabetic activity of Lyophyllum decastes (Tricholomataceae) was investigated in KK-Ay mice, an animal model of genetically type 2 diabetes with hyperinsulinemia. The water extract of Lyophyllum decastes (LD) (500 mg/kg body weight) reduced the blood glucose of KK-Ay mice 7 h after a single oral administration (p<0.05) when compared with control.

Orally administered beta-1,6-D-polyglucose extracted from Agaricus blazei results in tumor regression in tumor-bearing mice.

There is an increasing demand from both patients and practicing oncologists for orally formulated chemotherapy. The present study focused on the oral formulation for natural products that may be effectively used in oncologic treatment regimens. Tumor-bearing mice treated with intratumoral administration of aqueous ammonium oxalate-soluble and ethanol-insoluble derivatives of Agaricus blazei showed marked tumor regression at doses ranging from 0.

Combined effects of radiation and ultrasound on ICR mice in the preimplantation stage.

Embryos of ICR mice at the preimplantation stage of development were used to examine the single and combined effects of ultrasound (US) and radiation. Pregnant mice were exposed to a single dose of whole body gamma radiation and/or US at 2 hpc (hours postconception) or 3 hpc. The exposure duration was 10 min with 1-MHz continuous wave US at 1 or 2 W/cm(2) by I(SPTA) (intensities of spatial peak temporal average).