Propolis Component Helps Prevent Colon Cancer

Use of Artepillin C Helps Prevent Colon Cancer
Drug Week, 2/17/2006

According to a study from Japan, "Potential chemopreventive agents exist in foods. Artepillin C in Brazilian propolis was investigated for its effects on colon carcinogenesis."

"We had found that artepillin C was a bioavailable antioxidant, which could be incorporated into intestinal Caco-2 and hepatic HepG2 cells without any conjugation and inhibited the oxidation of intracellular DNA. Artepillin C was then added to human colon cancer WiDr cells. It dose-dependently inhibited cell growth, inducing G(0)/G(1) arrest. The events involved a decrease in the kinase activity of a complex of cyclin D/cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and in the levels of retinoblastoma protein phosphorylated at Ser-780 and 807/811. The inhibitors of the complex, Cip1/p21 and Kip1/p27, increased at the protein level," explained K. Shimizu and colleagues, Kobe University. . .

The researchers concluded, "Artepillin C appears to prevent colon cancer through the induction of cell-cycle arrest by stimulating the expression of Cip1/p21 and to be a useful chemopreventing factor in colon carcinogenesis."

Shimizu and colleagues published the results of their research in Molecular Carcinogenesis (Artepillin C in Brazilian propolis induces G(0)/G(1) arrest via stimulation of Cip1/p21 expression in human colon cancer cells. Mol Carcinog, 2005;44(4):293-299).

For additional information, contact K. Kanazawa, Kobe University, Graduate School Science & Technology, Dept. Life Science, Nada Ku, Kobe, Hyogo 6578501, Japan. . .