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Review
. 2021 Jul 28;13(8):2594.
doi: 10.3390/nu13082594.

Anticancer Activity of Propolis and Its Compounds

Ewa Forma  1 , Magdalena Bryś  1
Affiliations
Review

Anticancer Activity of Propolis and Its Compounds

Ewa Forma et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Propolis is a natural material that honey bees (Apis mellifera) produce from various botanical sources. The therapeutic activity of propolis, including antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects, have been known since antiquity. Cancer is one of the major burdens of disease worldwide, therefore, numerous studies are being conducted to develop new chemotherapeutic agents and treatments for cancer. Propolis is a rich source of biologically active compounds, which affect numerous signaling pathways regulating crucial cellular processes. The results of the latest research show that propolis can inhibit proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis of cancer cells and stimulate apoptosis. Moreover, it may influence the tumor microenvironment and multidrug resistance of cancers. This review briefly summarizes the molecular mechanisms of anticancer activity of propolis and its compounds and highlights the potential benefits of propolis to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Keywords: angiogenesis; apoptosis; autophagy; cancer; cancer therapy; cell proliferation; cytotoxicity; metastasis; propolis; propolis compounds.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The influence of propolis and its components on cell proliferation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Regulation of apoptosis via propolis and its compounds.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Anti-angiogenic activity of propolis and its compounds.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The role of propolis and its compounds in the regulation of signaling pathways crucial for metastasis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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