title: Propolis inhibits the proliferation of human leukaemia HL-60 cells by inducing apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway.
abstract: Propolis, a natural product derived from plant resins collected by honeybees, has been reported to exert a wide spectrum of biological functions. This research aimed at investigating the effect of propolis on the proliferation of human leukaemia HL-60 cells and whether propolis might induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells. The results showed dose- and time-dependent decreases in the proliferation of HL-60 cells treated with propolis (above 3 microg mL(-1) of propolis). Further studies revealed that the anti-proliferative effects of propolis were caused by inducing apoptosis. Agarose electrophoresis of genomic DNA of HL-60 cells treated with propolis showed the ladder pattern typical for apoptotic cells. Propolis induced the activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in HL-60 cells. Propolis also induced the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of propolis on HL-60 cell proliferation is caused by inducing apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, Kyonggi University, Suwon, Kyonggi-Do 443-760, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeon Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Eom
authors.forename: Eun Jee
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Byong Su
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Byung Sun
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism; D003600:Cytosol / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D018922:HL-60 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D011429:Propolis / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D045304:Cytochromes c; D011429:Propolis; D053148:Caspase 3