title: Chemoprotection of MNNG-initiated gastric cancer in rats using Iranian propolis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Iranian propolis is a natural product of honeybees that has significant and varied anti-cancer benefits. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Iranian propolis on gastric tissue carcinogenesis in an animal model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Propolis samples were collected from Hamadan and Taleghan districts of Iran, followed by ultra performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. Fifty-five rats were divided into three groups; control, Taleghan propolis and Hamadan propolis. All the animals received N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG, 100 μg/ml) in drinking water ad libitum for 34 weeks. In the treated groups, nutrition with propolis was started two weeks before MNNG administration. At the end of the study, the entire gastrointestinal tract was scrutinized for tumors, and the rest of the body was assessed for metastatic deposits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated that the incidence and number of tumors were significantly decreased by propolis in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). The nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, epithelial stratification, nuclear dispolarity, structural abnormality, and Beta-catenin and Bcl-2 proteins expression were significantly reduced in the propolis group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, Bax protein expression was significantly increased in the propolis group in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study demonstrated the potential chemoprotective effects of the Iranian propolis against gastric cancer in a typical animal model. The results provide evidence for the hypothesis that Iranian propolis may exert a chemoprotective effect on MNNG-initiated gastric cancer through inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis induction.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. navidmvrg@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ali Mohammad
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Alizadeh
authors.affiliation: Honey-bee Department, Animal Sciences Research Institute, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Houshang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Afrouzan
authors.affiliation: Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Navid
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dinparast-Djadid
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandra Christine Helena Frankland
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Sawaya
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Saleh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Azizian
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid Reza
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Hemmati
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mohagheghi
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Soheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Erfani
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008769:Methylnitronitrosoguanidine / Q000633:toxicity*; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental; D011429:Propolis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; C495268:Ctnnb1 protein, rat; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D051176:beta Catenin; D008769:Methylnitronitrosoguanidine; D011429:Propolis