engleski

Propolis and its Polyphenolic Compounds as a Radioprotective Agents in Mice

Radiation is a well-known inducer of free radicals. Compounds that scan free radicals may reduce radiation-induced damages on macromolecular and cells level as well as damages on the level of organism itself. Propolis contains polyphenolic/flavonoids compounds with antioxidant properties which are belived to be protective against cellular damage caused by ionizing radiation. Radioprotectivni effect of two preparation of propolis (water and ethanolic extract of propolis ; WSDP or EEP) and their polyphenolic compounds (caffeic acid, naringin, chrysin, quercetin) were investigated in the whole body &#61543; -irradiated (WBI) mice exposed to 9 Gy of 60Co &#61543; -radiation. Each test component at dose of 100 mg kg-1 body weight was administered to Swiss albino mice intraperitoneally, daily for 3 days, before or after WBI and survival studies in mice were investigated. In surviving studies quercetin and naringin given to mice before lethal irradiation with 9 Gy were most effective ; the number of survivors after 60 days post-irradiation was 73% or 45%, respecively. The Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test have revealed that the surviving time of mice was as follows: quercetin, naringin, WSDP (p<0.0001), caffeic acid, chrysin (p=0.0003) and EEP (p=0.0081). Treatment with test comonents after irradiation was ineffective. The results from the present study suggest that the propolis and its polyphenolic compounds have a radioprotective role in stimulating/protecting the haematopoietic system and in protecting mice from lethal effects of acuteWBI. Neither flavonoid had any systemic toxicity, even at dose of 200 mg kg-1. Considering the low dose needed for protection and the high margin between the effective and toxic dose, propolis and its polyphenolic compounds may be promising for human radiation protection.

propolis; flavonoids; radiation; radioprotection

Rad je kao pozvano predavanje prezentiran i na skupu "4th German Apitherapy, Expo and Course with International Participation", održanom 24-29.03. 2006., Passau, Njemačka.