title: Effect of Okinawa Propolis on PAK1 Activity, Caenorhabditis elegans Longevity, Melanogenesis, and Growth of Cancer Cells.
abstract: Propolis from different areas has been reported to inhibit oncogenic/aging kinase PAK1, which is responsible for a variety of conditions, including cancer, longevity, and melanogenesis. Here, a crude extract of Okinawa propolis (OP) was tested against PAK1 activity, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) longevity, melanogenesis, and growth of cancer cells. We found that OP blocks PAK1 and exhibits anticancer activity in the A549 cell (human lung cancer cell) line with IC50 values of 6 μg/mL and 12 μg/mL, respectively. Most interestingly, OP (1 μg/mL) significantly reduces reproduction and prolongs the lifespan of C. elegans by activating the HSP-16.2 gene, as shown in the PAK1-deficient strain. Furthermore, OP inhibits melanogenesis in a melanoma cell line (B16F10) by downregulating intracellular tyrosinase activity with an IC50 of 30 μg/mL. Our results suggest that OP demonstrated a life span extending effect, C. elegans, anticancer, and antimelanogenic effects via PAK1 inactivation; therefore, this can be a potent natural medicinal supplement against PAK1-dependent diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University , Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
authors.forename: Nozomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taira
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University , Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
authors.forename: Binh Cao Quan
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University , Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
authors.forename: Pham Thi
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Be Tu
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus , Senbaru 1, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinkichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tawata
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects*; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011429:Propolis / Q000737:chemistry*; D054462:p21-Activated Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D011429:Propolis; D054462:p21-Activated Kinases
keywords: Caenorhabditis elegans; Okinawa propolis; PAK1; cancer; longevity; melanogenesis