artepillin-c and Precancerous-Conditions

Artepillin C, a prenylated phenylpropanoid found specifically in Brazilian propolis, has been shown to be a bioavailable antioxidant. In this study, artepillin C was tested for colon cancer-preventing activity using azoxymethane-challenged ddY mice. Oral doses of 80 and 160 mg/kg body weight of propolis or 10mg/kg of artepillin C (equi-amounts to 160 mg propolis) reduced significantly the frequency of colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) by 39.2, 43.7 and 43.4%, respectively. In liver of the mice, glutathione S-transferase and NADPH:quinone reductase activity increased with the doses of propolis or artepillin C, and an antioxidant-responsive element (ARE) was found to be activated for binding DNA. Artepillin C is considered to suppress the formation of colonic ACF through the activation of ARE and induction of phase II enzymes in liver.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Azoxymethane; Carcinogens; Colonic Neoplasms; Diet; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Glutathione Transferase; Intestinal Mucosa; Liver; Male; Mice; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone); Phenylpropionates; Precancerous Conditions; Propolis; Response Elements; Up-Regulation