The immunomodulatory and anticancer properties of propolis.
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.
Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, People' Republic of China. gcfchan@hkucc.hku.hk
Godfrey Chi-Fung
GC
Chan
Ka-Wai
KW
Cheung
Daniel Man-Yuen
DM
Sze
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002109:Caffeic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D010666:Phenylpropionates / Q000494:pharmacology; D011429:Propolis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000187:drug effects
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D002109:Caffeic Acids; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D010666:Phenylpropionates; C102259:artepillin C; D011429:Propolis; C055494:caffeic acid phenethyl ester; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol