Propolis PDR article

[Guest guest]

Link didn't work so I will put whole thing here. If anyone has used

this, is it 'sweet'?

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Propolis

TRADE NAMES

Bee Propolis (Twinlab, Rainbow Light, Nature's Answer), Propolis

Power (Nature's Herbs).

DESCRIPTION

Propolis, also known as bee glue and bee propolis, is a brownish

resinous substance collected by bees, mainly from poplar and conifer

buds, and used to seal their hives. Because of antimicrobial

properties of propolis, it helps keep hives free of germs. Propolis

has a long history of use in folk medicine and was even used as an

official drug in London in the 1600s. Over time, propolis has been

used for many purposes and marketed as lozenges, cough syrups,

toothpastes, mouth rinses, lipsticks, cosmetics and even for the

varnishing of Stradivarius violins. It appears to have antimicrobial

and anti-inflammatory activities.

The composition of propolis is variable, depending on the locale and

variety of trees and other plant species used for the collection.

For example, unique constituents have been identified in propolis

collected in Cuba and Brazil. The main chemical classes found in

propolis are flavonoids, phenolics and terpenes. The flavonoids

include quercetin, apegenin, galangin, kaempferol, luteolin,

pinocembrin, pinostrobin and pinobanksin. The phenolic ester

(caffeic acid phenethyl ester or CAPE) present in propolis is

receiving much attention in the medical research community because

of its potential for the treatment of a number of disorders,

including spinal cord injury. Most of the substances in propolis are

poorly soluble in water.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

ACTIONS

A list of possible actions of propolis includes: antibacterial,

antifungal, antiviral (including anti HIV-1 activity), antioxidant,

anticarcinogenic, antithrombotic and immunomodula- tory.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

The mechanism of the possible actions of propolis may be understood

by reviewing research findings on some of the individual compounds

found in it. It is difficult to study the mechanism of actions of

more than one compound at a time. Therefore, the following

descriptions apply only to single compounds. The contribution of any

single compound to the possible action of such a complex substance

as propolis is difficult to know.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) inhibits the lipoxygenase

pathway of arachidonic acid, resulting in anti-inflammatory

activity. CAPE is also known to have anticarcinogenic, antimitogenic

and immunomodulatory properties. CAPE has been found to completely

inhibit the activation of the nuclear transcription factor NF-Kappa

B by tumor necrosis factor (TNF), as well as by other pro-

inflammatory agents. The inhibition of NF-Kappa B activation may

provide the molecular basis for its immunomodulatory,

anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities. It is

possible that CAPE exerts its effects by inhibiting reactive oxygen

species (ROS) production. ROS are known to play a major role in the

activation of NF-Kappa B.

Compounds in propolis found to have antibacterial activity include a

polyisoprenylated benzophenone, galangin, pinobanksin and

pinocembrin. The exact mechanism of antimicrobial action of these

compounds is not known.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

There is evidence that propolis has some broad antimicrobial

activity and that it may have anti-inflammatory effects that could

make it useful in the treatment of some forms of arthritis, among

other disorders. There is also some evidence of anti-cancer activity.

RESEARCH SUMMARY

have shown anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal effects. It

shows activity in culture against a broad spectrum of pathogens,

including influenza and herpes viruses, as well as HIV and various

fungal and bacterial organisms.

In a study of school children, an aqueous propolis extract was

judged effective in reducing the incidence and intensity of acute

and chronic rhinopharyngitis. In another study involving 10

volunteers, it exerted activity against oral bacteria. A Cuban study

concluded that propolis is more effective than tinidazole against

giardia.

Propolis has a high concentration of caffeic acid esters that some

believe may give it some antitumor properties. In two studies,

extracts of propolis fed to rats have inhibited azoxymethane-induced

colonic tumors.

In vitro studies have shown propolis-related anti-inflammatory

effects. Various extracts of propolis have also shown anti-

inflammatory activity in animal models, particularly against

adjuvant-induced arthritis.

More research is needed to further explore these preliminary

findings.

CONTRAINDICATIONS, PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Propolis is contraindicated in those who are allergic or

hypersensitive to any of its components.

PRECAUTIONS

Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid using propolis

supplements.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

There are reported adverse reactions in those using topical

preparations of propolis. These reactions are manifested as a

dermatitis. There are reports of hypersensitivity reactions to

ingested propolis, including rhinitis, conjunctivitis, skin rashes

and bronchospasm.

OVERDOSAGE

No reported overdosage of propolis.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

No typical dose. Propolis is available in several different

preparations, including lozenges, tablets, creams, gels, mouth

rinses, toothpastes and cough syrups.

HOW SUPPLIED

Capsules — 120 mg, 500 mg, 650 mg

Liquid

Lozenge — 50 grains

Tablets — 500 mg

LITERATURE

Burdock GA. Review of the biological properties and toxicity of bee

propolis (propolis). Food Chem Toxicol. 1998; 36:347-363.

Chopra S, Pillai KK, Husain SZ, Giri DK. Propolis protects against

doxorubicin-induced myocardiopathy in rats. Exp Mol Pathol. 1995;

62:190-198.

El-Ghazaly MA, Khayyal MT. The use of aqueous propolis extract

against radiation-induced damage. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1995; 21:229-

236.

Grange JM, Davey RW. Antibacterial properties of propolis (bee

glue). J.R Soc Med. 1990; 83:159-160.

Harish Z, Rubinstein A, Golodner M, et al. Suppression of HIV-1

replication by propolis and its immunoregulatory effect. Drugs Exp

Clin Res. 1997; 23:89-96.

Khayyal MT, el-Ghazaly MA, el-Khatib AS. Mechanism involved in the

anti-inflammatory effect of propolis extract. Drugs Exp Clin Res.

1993; 19:197-203.

Kujumgiev A, Tsverkova I, Serkedjieva Y, et al. Antibacterial,

antifungal and antiviral activity of propolis of different

geographic origins. J Ethnopharmacol. 1999; 64:235-240.

Ledon N, Casaco A, R, et al. Antipsoriatic, anti-

inflammatory and analgesic effects of an extract of red propolis.

Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao. 1997; 18:274-276.

Lin SC, Lin YH, Chen CF, et al. The hepatoprotective and therapeutic

effects of propolis ethanol extract on chronic alcohol-induced liver

injuries. Am J Chin Med 1997; 25:325-332.

Matsuno T, Jung SK, Matsumoto Y, et al. Preferential cytotoxicity to

tumor cells of 3, 5-diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (artipillin C)

isolated from propolis. Anticancer Res. 1997; 17(5A):3565-3568.

Mirzoeva OK, Calder PC. The effect of propolis and its components on

eicosanoid production during the inflammatory response.

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 1996; 55:441-449.

Mirzoeva OK, Grishanin RN, Calder PC. Antimicrobial actin of

propolis and some of its components: the effects on growth, membrane

potential and motility of bacteria. Microbiol Res. 1997; 152:239-246.

Natarajan K, Singh S, Burke TR Jr, et al. Caffeic acid phenethyl

ester is a potent and specific inhibitor of activation of nuclear

transcription factor NF-Kappa B. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 1996; 93:9090-

9095.

Ozturk F, Kurt E, Cerci M, et al. The effect of propolis extract in

experimental chemical corneal injury. Ophthalmic Res. 2000; 32:13-18.

Park EH, Kahng JH. Suppressive effects of propolis in rat adjuvant

arthritis. Arch Pharm Res. 1999; 22:554-558.

Rao CV, Desai D, Simi B, et al. Inhibitory effect of caffeic acid

esters on azoxymethane-induced biochemical change and aberrant crypt

foci formation in rat colon. Cancer Res. 1993; 53:4182-4188.