June 2013, Volume 44, Issue 3, pp 262-273
Propolis, a waxy substance produced by the honeybee, has
been adopted as a form of folk medicine since ancient times. It has a wide
spectrum of alleged applications including potential anti-infection and
anticancer effects. Many of the therapeutic effects can be attributed to its
immunomodulatory functions. The composition of propolis can vary according to
the geographic locations from where the bees obtained the ingredients.
Two main immunopotent chemicals have been identified as
caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and artepillin C. Propolis, CAPE, and
artepillin C have been shown to exert summative immunosuppressive function on T
lymphocyte subsets but paradoxically activate macrophage function. On the other
hand, they also have potential antitumor properties by different postulated
mechanisms such as suppressing cancer cells proliferation via its
anti-inflammatory effects; decreasing the cancer stem cell populations;
blocking specific oncogene signaling pathways; exerting antiangiogenic effects;
and modulating the tumor microenvironment.
The good bioavailability by the oral route and good
historical safety profile makes propolis an ideal adjuvant agent for future
immunomodulatory or anticancer regimens. However, standardized quality controls
and good design clinical trials are essential before either propolis or its
active ingredients can be adopted routinely in our future therapeutic
armamentarium.
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