Propolis Extract Boosts Antitumor Activity of Cancer Drug

Studies from University of Zagreb, Department of Animal Physiology Add New Findings in the Area of Cancer Therapy
Ventures & Law Weekly, 8/12/2007

A new study, "Enhanced antitumor activity of irinotecan combined with propolis and its polyphenolic compounds on Ehrlich ascites tumor in mice," is now available. According to a study from Zagreb, Croatia, "The effects of the anticancer drug irinotecan combined with ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP), a water-soluble derivate of propolis (WSDP), quercetin and naringin on the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) and the life span of tumor-bearing Swiss albino mice were studied. Test components were given to mice intraperitoneally (i.p.) at doses of 100mg kg(-1) for three consecutive days before the i.p. injection of EAT cells (1x106)."

"Irinotecan was administered i.p. at dose of 50mg kg(-1) on days 1, 13, and 19 after tumor cell inoculation. The results clearly demonstrate the synergistic action of irinotecan and EEP on survival time," wrote V. Benkovic and colleagues, University of Zagreb, Department of Animal Physiology.

The researchers concluded: "These results suggest that clinical trials using a propolis preparation EEP combined with irinotecan may be beneficial in maximizing antitumor activity and minimizing post-chemotherapeutic reactions to the cytostatic drug."…