• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.261-268
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• 1998

Propolis is a lipophilic, natural product prepared by mixing the exudates collected from various plants by honeybees with beeswax for the purpose of using to seal hive walls and to strengthen the borders of combs. Because of its versatile bioactivities, propolis has been attracting many investigators'interest. But the pharmacological studies on propolis has, to date, been exclusively performed for an alcohol extract, there is few information of water extract. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the various effects of water extract of Chinese propolis. The water extract of propolis and its fractions of organic solvents showed strong antioxidative activities, especially ether and ethylacetate fractions, and reduced the lipid peroxidation of rat liver in viro. Additionally the ether fraction of propolis (10 mg/ml) inhibited the activity of hyaluronidase by 50%. In vivo, the water extract of propolis considerably decreased s-GOT, s-GPT and s-LDH activities which represent for the hepatotoxicity induced by $CCl_4$ in rats, and prolonged the MST (Medium revival tinge) and ILS (Increasing in MST over control) by 18% in mice which inoculated with sarcoma 180 ascites cells. These results suggest that the water extract of propolis has various bioactivities as well as the alcohol extract.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.239-243
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• 2016

Propolis is a multicomponent, active, complex resinous substance collected by honeybees from a variety of plant sources. We have studied the effect of propolis on neurite outgrowth of SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells induced to differentiate by all-trans-retinoic acid (RA). Propolis, at a concentration of $3{\mu}g/mL$, had no significant effect on the viability of differentiating SH-SY5Y cells. However, the neurite outgrowth of the differentiating SH-SY5Y cells treated with propolis ($0.3{\sim}3{\mu}g/mL$) for 48 hr was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of RA-stimulated differentiating SH-SY5Y cells with 0.3 to $3{\mu}g/mL$ propolis resulted in decreased level of transglutaminase and 43-kDa growth-associated protein (GAP-43) in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that propolis is able to inhibit neurite outgrowth of differentiating SH-SY5Y cells.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.427-433
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• 2006

We investigated the effect of propolis on the activity of antioxidant enzymes in rat liver exposed by X-ray irradiation. The dosage of propolis showed the effect of lowering the concentration of superoxide anion in irradiated rat liver, suggesting that propolis has a significant role to remove superoxide anion as an antioxidant and/or by activating the antioxidant enzyme. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR), disturbed by X-ray irradiation, were restored in 30 days to normal status in the group which dosed propolis before X-ray irradiation. Interestingly, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPOX) activities were highly increased with feeding propolis to rat compared to untreated group, whereas glutathione s-transferase (GST) activity was little affected. Taken together, it suggests that the propolis has a protective role in the rat liver cells against X-ray irradiation by increasing and recovering the activities of antioxidant enzymes.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.337-341
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• 1996

Propolid (bee-glue), known as a folk medicine, is a lipo;hilic material found in honeybee hives. In the present study on the anti-inflammatory effect of Korean propolis, it was extracted with ethanol, and used as a test material. The $LD_{50}$ value with the oral administration of ethanolic extract of Korean propolis (EEKP) was higher than 2g/kg in mice. The oral administration of the propolis extract (100mg/kg) significantly inhibited the development of hind paw edema induced by carrageenin in rats. the oral pretreatment of the propolis extract markedly inhibited the increase in vascular permeability and the number of writhing induced by acetic acetic acid in mice. Propolis extract, 50 and 100 mg/kg p.o. per day for 7 days, produced a significant inhibitory effect on granuloma and exudate formation in rats. This inhibitory effect was enhanced with the concomitant use of prednisolone (2.5 mg/kg). These results suggest that Korean propolis apparently has a strong anti-inflammatory activity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1164-1170
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• 2008

In this study, the effects of propolis and vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) supplementation in diets were investigated on feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion rate (FCR) and digestibility and on egg production and qualities (weight, mortality, shell thickness) in laying hens exposed to heat stress. A total of 150 Hyline White Leghorn, aged 42 weeks, hens was divided into five groups of 30 hens. Chicks were randomly divided into 1 positive control, 1 control and 3 treatment groups. The chicks were kept in cages in temperature-controlled rooms at $22^{\circ}C$ for 24 h/d (positive control, Thermoneutral, TN group) or $34^{\circ}C$ for 9 h/d from 08.00-17.00 h followed by $22^{\circ}C$ for 15 h (control, heat stress, HS group) and fed a basal diet or basal diet supplemented with vitamin C (250 mg/kg of L- ascorbic acid/kg of diet) or two levels of propolis (2 and 5 g of ethanol extracted propolis/kg of diet). Increased FI (p<0.05) and improvement in FCR (p<0.05), hen day egg (p<0.05) and egg weight (p<0.05) were found in Vitamin C and propolis-supplemented laying hens reared under heat stress conditions. Mortality rate was higher in the control group than TN, vitamin C and propolis groups (p<0.05). Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and ether extract improved with increasing of both dietary vitamin C and propolis (p<0.05). Vitamin C or propolis supplementation did not affect either the percentage shape index, yolk index or haugh unit and albumen index (p>0.05). However, the egg shell thickness and egg shell weight appeared to be increased in Vitamin C and propolis groups in comparison to HS group birds (p<0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of laying hens with anti-oxidants (vitamin C and propolis) can attenuate heat stress-induced oxidative damage. These positive effects were evidenced by increased growth performance and digestibility, improvement of egg shell thickness and egg weight in comparison to non-supplemented birds. Moreover, supplementation with propolis (5 g/kg diet) was the most efficient treatment.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.542-548
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• 2005

In recent years, propolis has attracted much attention as an useful substance in medicine and functional food, even if it is known as a natural remedy in folk medicine since ancient times. propolis was registered as natural food since 1995 on Korean Food Act by Korean Food and Drug Administration(KFDA). The present study demonstrated the optimization of isolation of crude propolis by ethanol, and tumoricidal effect of pro polis. The optimal concentration of ethanol to separate a high quantity of propolis was $60\%$. The cytotoxic effect of ethanol extracted propolis against various cancer cell lines including murine lymphoma (Sarcoma-180), murine T-lymphoma (YAC-1), human breast carcinoma (MCF-7), human gastric carcinoma (KATOIII) and human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B) and human lung adenocarcinoma (A-549) was observed using SRB and MIT assay. In order to investigate the curative activity by oral administration of propolis on tumor, ICR mice was subcutaneously implanted Sarcoma 180. In 300mg/kg and 600mg/kg propolis administered group, development of implanted tumors was inhibited by $40.9\%\;and\;67.9\%$ at 16th day, respectively. In the same dose of propolis administered group, development of implanted tumors was inhibited more strongly with dose dependent manner. Therefore, these data suggested propolis may show tumoricidal effects. In conclusion, these results indicate that propolis, one of the few natural remedies, can be used as functional food with tumoricidal effects.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.535-540
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Propolis has a rich source of bioactive compounds and has renal and hepatic protective properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the beneficial effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of propolis against paracetamol-induced liver damage and impairment of kidney function, as well as hematological changes in rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Six groups of rats were used; the first group was served as a control; the second and third groups were treated by propolis extract at a dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg.B.WT. respectively; the fourth group was treated by paracetamol (200 mg/kg.B.WT.); the fifth group was treated by propolis (50 mg/kg.B.WT.) for eight days and then received similar dose of propolis for following seven days with paracetamol at a dose of 200 mg/kg.B.WT. daily for the seven days; and the sixth group was treated with propolis (100 mg/kg.B.WT.) for eight days and then received similar dose of propolis for following seven days with paracetamol at a dose of 200 mg/kg.B.WT. daily for the seven days. All the animals were treated for a period of 15 days. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were collected for measurement of the liver enzymes, serum albumin, protein and creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, hematological parameters, and urine volume, protein and albumin. RESULTS: Paracetamol over dose significantly lowered hemoglobin, serum total protein, albumin, and uric acid, while it significantly increased blood creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities, white blood cells, and platelet count as compared to the control. However, these alterations were significantly attenuated by the use of propolis extract and the effect was dose dependent. Interestingly, propolis prevented paracetamol induced proteinuria, low hemoglobin and body weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Propolis significantly prevented paracetamol induced renal, hepatic and hematological toxicity and might be useful in the management of liver and renal diseases particularly proteinuria.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.82-85
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• 2019

We investigated the anti-microbial activity of propolis against the pathogenic bacteria and fungi on ginseng. We selected six microbials that caused postharvest root rots in ginseng. Propolis extracts were prepared by using the ethanol extraction method. We seeded the bacteria and fungi related to ginseng disease on a specific culture medium, and treated it with propolis extracts by using the paper disc method. Propolis extracts indicate the anti-microbial activity against Paenibacillus polymyxa, Fusarium solani, Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 and Pythium ultimum. However, the anti-fungal activity of propolis is weak on Pseudomonas fluorescens subsp. Cellulosa and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. As a result, the antimicrobial effects of propolis against microbial that prevent ginseng growth were confirmed. The antimicrobial effects are shown according to the concentration of propolis against root rot. The fungi also showed antibacterial effects in a dose-dependent manner.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2006

Present study aimed to investigate recovering effect of propolis on blood components and tissues of mouse after low dose irradiation. It is verified that the contents of Fe, Mg, P, Zn and Cu in propolis dosed blood are increased slightly than irradiated blood, however, the contents of Ba and Pb are decreased to one tenth than irradiated blood and the contents of Fe and P are increased to 10% than control group. We consider this result as the propolis acts a role of defence factor minimizing changes of elements caused by irradiation in blood. Among the blood components, Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) value is increased after the radiation but after dosed with propolis and irradiated the value is decreased, suggesting that propolis as a buffering material against irradiation. After dosed with propolis, a number of spermatogenic cells are lowered in testis tissue, however, nucleus and cytoplasm are clearly observed in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatid cells. And nucleus and membrane of cells in the proximal convoluted tubule of renal tissue are clearly observed. Also, cytoplasmand membrane of surface mucous cells in stomach tissue are appeared in normal which is almost like those of control group. We consider that the propolis used in this study is preventing deformations of cells increasing resistance capacity against irradiation rather than recovering damaged tissues.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2005

To evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of propolis, streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats were divided into 4 groups such as, diabetic control group, low dose of propolis (0.1 ml) group, medium dose of propolis (0.3 ml) group and high dose of propolis (0.9 ml) group and feeded with propolis extracts for 30 days. After experiment, oral glucose tolerance test (Oral GTT) was carried, and 16 hours fasting blood sugar levels, body weights, blood lipid levels were measured. Finally, pancreatic histopathological study was performed. In conclusion, the propolis is effective to the treatment diabetes due to the reduction of the blood sugar level and the regeneration of the damaged $\beta$-cells shown in streptozotocininduced diabetic rats.