title: Propolis protects pancreatic β-cells against the toxicity of streptozotocin (STZ).
abstract: Propolis is a glue, prepared by honeybees from plant materials to stick their hives on the beehive wall. It has gained popularity in Japan as a healthy drink and people believe that propolis can cure inflammation, heart diseases and even diabetes and cancer. We have evaluated the β-cell protective effect of propolis against the toxicity of streptozotocin (STZ) in rats. The water extract of propolis (PWE) completely protected β-cell destruction against STZ toxicity. The protective effect of PWE was found to be almost equal to that of nicotinamide. PWE also inhibited the interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β) generation from human leukocytes. The free radical scavenging activity together with IL-1 β and nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitory activities are thought to be the prime factors for the protective effect of PWE against STZ toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Wakan-Yaku (Traditional Sino-Japanese Medicines) Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 2630-Sugitani, Toyama 930-01, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsushige
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Basnet
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hase
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kadota
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Namba