title: Effect of propolis on human cartilage and chondrocytes.
abstract: Propolis, a natural product derived from plant resins collected by the honeybees, has been used for thousands of years in folk medicine for several purposes. The extract that contains amino acids, phenolic acids, phenolic acid esters, flavonoids, cinnamic acid, terpenes and caffeic acid, possesses several biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory, anti-viral and anti-bacterial. In this study, we assay the effects of propolis extract on the production of key molecules released during chronic inflammatory events as nitric oxide (NO) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in cultures of human cartilaginous tissues and chondrocytes, stimulated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). We observed that this natural compound and its active principle, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), were able to contrast the harmful effects of IL-1beta. Our data clearly demonstrated the protective action of propolis in cartilage alteration, that appears greater than that elicited by indomethacin, commonly employed in joint diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Catania, v.le A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Venera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cardile
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panico
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Borrelli
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Russo
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D002109:Caffeic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D002356:Cartilage / Q000187:drug effects*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011429:Propolis / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002109:Caffeic Acids; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D011429:Propolis; C055494:caffeic acid phenethyl ester; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol; D007213:Indomethacin