Use of Artepillin C Helps Prevent Colon Cancer
Drug Week, 2/17/2006

According to a study from Japan, "Potential chemopreventive agents exist
in foods. Artepillin C in Brazilian propolis was investigated for its
effects on colon carcinogenesis."

"We had found that artepillin C was a bioavailable antioxidant, which
could be incorporated into intestinal Caco-2 and hepatic HepG2 cells
without any conjugation and inhibited the oxidation of intracellular
DNA. Artepillin C was then added to human colon cancer WiDr cells. It
dose-dependently inhibited cell growth, inducing G(0)/G(1) arrest. The
events involved a decrease in the kinase activity of a complex of
cyclin D/cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and in the levels of retinoblastoma
protein phosphorylated at Ser-780 and 807/811. The inhibitors of the
complex, Cip1/p21 and Kip1/p27, increased at the protein level,"
explained K. Shimizu and colleagues, Kobe University. . .

The researchers concluded, "Artepillin C appears to prevent colon cancer
through the induction of cell-cycle arrest by stimulating the expression
of Cip1/p21 and to be a useful chemopreventing factor in colon
carcinogenesis."

Shimizu and colleagues published the results of their research in
Molecular Carcinogenesis (Artepillin C in Brazilian propolis induces
G(0)/G(1) arrest via stimulation of Cip1/p21 expression in human colon
cancer cells. Mol Carcinog, 2005;44(4):293-299).

For additional information, contact K. Kanazawa, Kobe University,
Graduate School Science & Technology, Dept. Life Science, Nada Ku,
Kobe, Hyogo 6578501, Japan. . .

See: www.apitherapynews.com

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