title: Cytotoxic constituents of propolis inducing anticancer effects: a review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Propolis is a honeybee product used extensively in traditional medicine for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anticancer effects. Propolis exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities because it is a complex mixture of natural substances. In this review, the antitumour effects of propolis extracts and its constituents (e.g. flavonoids, terpenes and caffeic acid phenethyl ester) are discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The effect of propolis on experimental carcinogenesis is discussed, as well as its possible mechanisms of action against tumours, involving apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and interference on metabolic pathways. Propolis seems to be efficient against different tumour cells both in vitro and in vivo, which suggests its potential in the development of new anticancer drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Propolis extracts may be important economically and would allow a relatively inexpensive cancer treatment. Preclinical investigations are needed to further elucidate the benefits of propolis and its antitumour properties.
authors: Department of Pathological Sciences, Biological Science Center, University of Londrina, PR.
authors: Maria Angélica Ehara
authors: MA
authors: Watanabe
authors: Marla Karine
authors: MK
authors: Amarante
authors: Bruno José
authors: BJ
authors: Conti
authors: José Maurício
authors: JM
authors: Sforcin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002109:Caffeic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011429:Propolis / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002109:Caffeic Acids; D004224:Diterpenes; D005419:Flavonoids; D011429:Propolis; C055494:caffeic acid phenethyl ester; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol