Propolis Treatment Research Articles

Antitumor Activity of Propolis on Differantiated Cancer Cell Lines

Propolis is a natural bee product with several pharmacological activities. Nowadays, it is also investigated for its antitumor properties. There are contraversies on the antitumor activity of propolis, not all tumour cells seem to respond to propolis treatment. The aim of our study is to evaluate the activity of propolis on differantiated thyroid cancer cell lines. Tyripan blue test and MTT assay were performed to evaluate the cell viability of B-CPAP cells after propolis treatment and compared with propolis free cells and normal thyroid cells. Evaluation with light microscopy revealed after treatment with propolis, cell count decreased and B-CPAP cells displayed morphologic changes with a smaller appearance. Tyripan blue exclusion test showed a decrease in cell viability in different concentrations of propolis at 48 and 72 h. Cell viability was measured by MTT after the treatment of B-CPAP cells with propolis at 72 h. The decrease in cell viability was statistically significant only at 0.0001 diluted propolis (p=0.048). The decrease in cell viability in normal thyroid cell line was not statistically significant. In conclusion, propolis have weak antitumor activity on differantiated thyroid cell line which may contribute to different degrees of sensitivity of propolis among cancer cells.

Propolis Prevents Hepatorenal Injury Induced by Chronic Exposure to Carbon Tetrachloride

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a well-known hepatotoxicant, and its exposure induces hepatorenal injury via oxidative stress and biochemical alterations. This study had been conducted to confirm the protective role of propolis extract on CCl4-induced hepatorenal oxidative stress and resultant injury. Propolis extracts collected from Gwalior district and 24 female Sprague Dawley rats were used for experiment. Animals were exposed to CCl4 (0.15 mL/kg, i.p.) for 12 weeks (5 days/week) followed by treatment with propolis extract (200 mg/kg, p.o.) for consecutive 2 weeks. CCl4 exposure significantly depleted blood sugar and hemoglobin level and raised the level of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, protein, urea, albumin, bilirubin, creatinine, triglycerides, and cholesterol in serum. Lipid peroxidation was enhanced, whereas GSH was decreased significantly in liver and kidney in CCl4-intoxicated group. Ethanolic extract of propolis successfully prevented these alterations in experimental animals. Activities of catalase, adenosine triphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase, acid, and alkaline phosphatase were also maintained towards normal with propolis therapy. Light microscopical studies showed considerable protection in liver and kidney with propolis treatment, thus, substantiated biochemical observations. This study confirmed hepatoprotective potential of propolis extract against chronic injury induced by CCl4 by regulating antioxidative defense activities.

Propolis and amnion reepithelialise second-degree burns in rats

Burns are serious consequences of trauma in terms of both imminent mortality and prolonged periods of morbidity. They are often accompanied by unsatisfactory cosmetic as well as functional and psychological outcomes. These complications emphasise the need for stronger efforts in achieving greater diversity and effectiveness in the treatment of skin burns. This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of gross and microscopic epidermal and dermal responses in the process of regenerative repair or healing of burns in rats that were treated either daily with 5% propolis ointment or by autologous amnion graft. Second-degree burns were inflicted in the neck region of female rats by contact with a hot metal (at 130 °C) for 5 s. Propolis treatment accelerated the process of tissue repair and led to decreased local inflammation, which indicates that treatment with propolis was successful in the initial period (7 days) and stimulated the production of collagen fibre (assessed by morphometry) in all the periods evaluated (14 and 21 days). Amnion treatment inhibited local inflammation (assessed macroscopically), stimulated local epithelial regeneration (assessed microscopically) and stimulated the production of collagen fibre (assessed by morphometry) in the days following burn. These treatments offer new therapeutic strategies for treating severe skin burns; these strategies may allow the minimisation of scar formation, a more rapid return of function and, ultimately, a better quality of life for burn patients.

Effects of Propolis on Fracture Healing: An Experimental Study

Propolis is a substance of honeybee origin with known antioxidant effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of propolis on fracture healing and the antioxidant system in an experimental setting. Thirty-two rats that underwent experimental femur fracture and then fixation were randomly allocated in one of four groups: two control groups (Control-3w and Control-6w) and two treatment groups (Propolis-3w and Propolis-6w). Treatment groups received propolis until killing (at 3 or 6 weeks). X-ray, histological, bone mineral density measurement findings and endogenous antioxidant levels were examined. The bone mineral density was higher, radiological and histological evaluation scores were better, and superoxide dismutase, total glutathione and myeloperoxidase levels were lower among the rats that received oral propolis treatment compared with the controls. In addition, bone mineral density and histological assessment scores showed time-dependent improvement in the treatment group. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that propolis has some time-dependent beneficial effects on fracture healing.

Antitumor effect of Croatian propolis as a consequence of diverse sex-related dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) protein expression

The aim of this study was to detect the antitumor properties of Croatian propolis in BALB/c male and female mice injected with 4T1 mammary carcinoma. Furthermore, the gender-dependence of this effect and the possible involvement of combined effect of propolis and 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) on dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) transcriptional and translational level, were determined. In combination with 5FU propolis treatment induced gender-related effects. The results of the study revealed that pretreatment of mice with propolis combined with 5FU treatment prolonged the suppressive effect of 5FU on tumor growth and reduced the number of metastasis only in male mice. Only males pretreated with propolis prior to 5FU administration had decreased DPD protein level indicating higher sensitivity to 5FU. Thus, benefitial effects of propolis in male tumor-bearing mice treated with 5FU might be explained by increased sensitivity to 5FU as the result of translationally downregulated DPD.

Antiproliferative effects of Tubi-bee propolis in glioblastoma cell lines

Propolis is a resin formed by a complex chemical composition of substances that bees collect from plants. Since ancient times, propolis has been used in folk medicine, due to its biological properties, that include antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral and immunomodulatory activities. Glioblastoma is the most common human brain tumor. Despite the improvements in GBM standard treatment, patients’ prognosis is still very poor. The aim of this work was to evaluate in vitro the Tubi-bee propolis effects on human glioblastoma (U251 and U343) and fibroblast (MRC-5) cell lines. Proliferation, clonogenic capacity and apoptosis were analyzed after treatment with 1 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL propolis concentrations for different time periods. Additionally, glioblastoma cell lines were submitted to treatment with propolis combined with temozolomide (TMZ). Data showed an antiproliferative effect of tubi-bee propolis against glioblastoma and fibroblast cell lines. Combination of propolis with TMZ had a synergic anti-proliferative effect. Moreover, propolis caused decrease in colony formation in glioblastoma cell lines. Propolis treatment had no effects on apoptosis, demonstrating a cytostatic action. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the antitumor effect of propolis, and the study of its individual components may reveal specific molecules with antiproliferative capacity.

Inhibitory Effect of Chinese Propolis on Phosphatidylcholine‐Specific Phospholipase C Activity in Vascular Endothelial Cells

To understand the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory action of Chinese propolis, we investigated its effect on the activity of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) that plays critical roles in control of vascular endothelial cell (VEC) function and inflammatory responses. Furthermore, p53 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) were investigated. Our data indicated that treatment of Chinese propolis 6.25 and 12.5 μg/ml for 12 hours increased VEC viability obviously. Exposure to Chinese propolis 6.25, 12.5, and 25 μg/ml for 6 and 12 hours significantly decreased PC-PLC activity and p53 level, and ROS levels were depressed by Chinese propolis 12.5 μg/ml and 25 μg/ml dramatically. The Δψm of VECs was not affected by Chinese propolis at low concentration but disrupted by the propolis at 25 μg/ml significantly, which indicated that Chinese propolis depressed PC-PLC activity and the levels of p53 and ROS in VECs but disrupted Δψm at a high concentration.

Protective effects of Chinese and Brazilian propolis treatment against hepatorenal lesion in diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus promoted an overproduction of free radicals and an increased incidence of both diabetic nephropathy and liver disease. In this report, we evaluated the effects of Chinese and Brazilian propolis on streptozotocin-induced hepatorenal injury in rats. The results demonstrated that Chinese propolis-treated rats had a 7.4% reduction in the glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc) level compared with untreated diabetic rats. Additionally, Chinese propolis induced an increase in the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) level significantly while Brazilian propolis raised serum SOD and reduced level of malonaldehyde (MDA) and nitric synthetase (NOS). Of the measurable decrease in serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and microalbuminuria demonstrated the propolis-mediated improvement of hepatorenal function, which was further confirmed by histological examination. We also observed that Chinese and Brazilian propolis increased hepatorenal glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) level and inhibited MDA production significantly. These results suggested that propolis may prevent hepatorenal injury by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes.

Ameliorative Effect of Propolis on Insulin Resistance in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) Rats

Propolis is known to have abundant bioactive constituents and a variety of biological activities. To investigate the effect of Brazilian propolis on insulin resistance, 10-week-old Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, a non-insulin-dependent type 2 diabetic model, were treated for 4 weeks with propolis (100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle (control). Propolis treatment significantly decreased the plasma levels of insulin and insulin resistance index (Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance; HOM-IR), without affecting blood glucose levels and tended to lower systolic blood pressure compared with the control. In isolated and perfused mesenteric vascular beds of OLETF rats, propolis treatment resulted in significant reduction of sympathetic nerve-mediated vasoconstrictor response to periarterial nerve stimulation (PNS) and tended to increase calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) nerve-mediated vasodilator response to PNS compared with in vehicle-treated OLETF rats. However, propolis treatment did not significantly affect the vasoconstrictor and vasodilator response to noradrenaline, CGRP, acetylcholine, and sodium nitroprusside. These results suggest that propolis could be an effective and functional food to prevent development of insulin resistance.

The Effect of propolis on Th1/Th2 cytokine expression and production by melanoma‐bearing mice submitted to stress

Since propolis possesses immunomodulatory and antitumoral activities, this work aimed to evaluate its effect on Th1 (IL-2 and IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines mRNA expression and production by melanoma-bearing mice submitted to immobilization stress. C57BL/6 male mice were inoculated with B16F10 cells, treated with propolis and submitted to stress for 14 days. Spleen cells were assessed for Th1/Th2 cytokine expression and production. Stress induced a higher tumor area, while propolis-treated mice, stressed or not, showed a melanoma development similar to the control. In groups without melanoma, stress or propolis treatment did not affect IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 gene expression. On the other hand, IL-2 and IL-10 expression was inhibited in melanoma-bearing mice, stressed or not. Th1 cytokine production was also inhibited in melanoma-bearing mice. Propolis administration to melanoma-bearing mice submitted to stress stimulated IL-2 expression, as well as Th1 cytokine (IL-2 and IFN-γ) production, indicating the activation of antitumor cell-mediated immunity. Propolis also stimulated IL-10 expression and production, which may be related to immunoregulatory effects. The data indicate that propolis exerted an immunomodulatory activity in this assay, which may be related to its antitumoral action in vivo.

Propolis inhibits osteoclast maturation

Propolis, a natural product produced by the honey bee, has been successfully used in medicine as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. Traumatic injuries to the teeth, especially avulsion injuries, present a challenging situation for the clinician because of post-treatment complications, such as inflammatory and/or replacement resorption. Agents that reduce osteoclast numbers and activity may be useful in the treatment of traumatic injuries to the teeth. In this study, we evaluated propolis as an anti-resorptive agent. Calcitriol-stimulated mouse marrow cultures, which contain both osteoclasts and osteoblasts, were exposed to the ethanol extracts of propolis or vehicle control and stained for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-activity to identify osteoclasts. A significant, dose-dependent reduction in multinuclear TRAP+ cells was demonstrated, although the propolis treatment accommodated cell growth and survival (P < 0.05). Propolis also reduced the formation of actin rings in pure cultures of RAW 264.7 osteoclast-like cells, suggesting that it exerts direct actions on osteoclast maturation. In summary, our data suggest that propolis inhibits late stages of osteoclast maturation including fusion of osteoclasts precursors to form giant cells and formation of actin rings. This supports the hypothesis that it may prove useful as a medicament to reduce resorption associated with traumatic injuries to the teeth.

Propolis effects on pro-inflammatory cytokine production and Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 expression in stressed mice

Introduction Propolis is a beehive product and its immunomodulatory action has been well documented; however, little is known concerning its activity on the immune system of stressed mice. This work investigated a possible role of propolis against the immunosuppressive effects induced by stress in mice, assessing the pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β and IL-6) production and Toll-like receptor (TLR-2 and TLR-4) expression by spleen cells. Methods BALB/c mice were divided into 3 groups: G1 was considered control; G2 was submitted to restraint stress for 3 days, and G3 was treated with propolis and immediately submitted to stress. After sacrifice, spleens were removed and TLR-2 and TLR-4 gene expression was analyzed, as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Serum corticosterone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay as a stress indicator. Results Stressed mice, treated or not with propolis, produced higher corticosterone levels, whereas IL-1β and IL-6 production was inhibited. TLR-2 and TLR-4 expression was inhibited in stressed mice, while propolis exerted an immunorestorative role in TLR-4 expression. The immunosuppressive effects on IL-1β and IL-6 production and on TLR expression by stressed mice might have occurred due to a higher corticosterone production during stress. Conclusion Propolis treatment did not antagonize the inhibitory effects on pro-inflammatory cytokine production, however it restored at least partially TLR2 mRNA expression and counteracted the inhibition on TLR-4 expression in stressed animals, contributing to the recognition of microorganisms during stressful conditions.

Propolis effect on Th1/Th2 cytokines production by acutely stressed mice

Aim of the study Propolis has gained special attention due to its biological properties, however, little is known about its immunomodulatory effects in stress conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate propolis effect on Th1/Th2 cytokines production by spleen cells of acutely stressed mice. Serum corticosterone concentration was determined as a stress indicator. Materials and methods Male BALB/c mice were submitted to restraint stress and treated with propolis (200 mg/kg) for 3 days. Supernatants of splenocytes cultures were assessed for Th1/Th2 cytokines determination. Results Regarding Th1 cytokines production, no alterations were seen in IL-2 production; however, IFN-γ production was inhibited in stressed mice, even when treated with propolis. As to Th2 cytokines, IL-4 was inhibited in stressed mice, but normal levels were seen when these animals were treated with propolis. No significant differences were found in IL-10 production between the experimental groups. Stressed groups (treated or not with propolis) showed higher corticosterone concentrations in comparison to control group. Conclusions Data suggest that propolis treatment was not able to counteract the stress-induced immunosuppressive effect on IFN-γ production; however, propolis showed an immunorestorative role, increasing IL-4 production in stressed mice, favoring humoral immune response during stress. Since the exact mechanisms of this natural product on immune system are still unclear, further studies are still required for a better comprehension of propolis use as a therapeutic alternative against the stress-induced negative effects that could lead to the development of various diseases.

Immunomodulatory and In vivo Antiplasmodial Activities of Propolis Extracts

Problem statement: Malaria caused by various species of prozoan paras ites, Plasmodium . The exact mechanism of humoral immunity in eliminating Plasmodium is not completely understood. However, an antimalarial antibody is strongly suspe cted to play important role in immunity. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the immuno modulator and antiplasmodial activities of Indonesian propolis extracts. Approach: Thirty male BALB/c mice weighing approximately 25-30 g aged between 6 and 8 weeks old were used for pr opolis treatment in vivo . The mice infected with 0.1 mL of the P. berghei suspension at a concentration of 10 7 parasites per mouse on day 0. The drug was administered orally for 4 days from day 0-3 at doses 25, 50 and 100 mg kg -1 BW in the experimental group. The control group was given the solven in equal volume for the same duration. This research utilized not only hypersensitivity re action which measures the humoral immunity by SRBC-immunized mice but also the activity and capacity of peritoneum macrophage phagocytosis in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. The parasitaemia number was calculated using blood smear method every day for 4 day after the mice had been infected P. berghei to identify the antiplasmodial activity. Results: The research results revealed that Propolis Hydroa lcoholic Solution (PHS) had a strong immunomodulatory activity but weak antiplasmodial activity. Conclusion: It was concluded that PHS showed more immunostimulant activity than antiplasmodial activity, proved by the increase of IgG and the macrophage phagocytosis activity and capacity. The antiplasmodial activity of PHS was due to the mice immunity increase so that they lived longer.

Changes in Lymphocyte DNA Damage and Antioxidant Status after Supplementing Propolis to Korean Smokers: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Cross-Over Trial

Smoking has been known to exacerbate the initiation and propagation of oxidative stresses. Efforts have been made to reduce the smoking-induced oxidative stresses using commercial dietary supplements. Propolis is the resinous substance collected by bees from the leaf buds and bark of trees, especially poplar and conifer trees. In this trial, we examined whether a daily supplementation of 800 mg propolis can protect endogenous lymphocytic DNA damage and modulate antioxidative enzyme activities and the level of antioxidant vitamin in smokers using a placebo-controlled, doubleblinded cross-over trial. After two weeks of running-in period, 29 smokers (mean age 34.38 ± 1.73) received 6 tablets/day of either propolis or placebo pills for 4 weeks. After 2 weeks of washout period the subjects switched they pills for cross-over study. The degree of DNA damage (assessed by tail DNA, tail length and tail moment) was not significantly changed with propolis intake or placebo intake. Similarly, total antioxidant status (TAS) remained at the same level regardless of the treatment. Erythrocyte catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), plasma vitamin C and tocopherol level did not differ before and after propolis treatment, and did not differ between treatments. Putting all these results together, we would suggest that it is still too early to claim that propolis possess antioxidative activities.

Propolis effect on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Propolis is one of the hive products that has been used extensively in folk medicine, due to its several biological and pharmacological properties. Besides, propolis-containing products have been intensely marketed by the pharmaceutical industry and health-food stores. This work was carried out in order to investigate whether propolis treatment could revert the metabolic alterations of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Animals were kept in metabolic cages and diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg, IV). After a week, rats with glycemia higher than 230 mg/dL were divided into two groups and treated with ethanolic extract of propolis (10 and 90 mg/kg, PO) for seven days. Glycemia and free fatty acids were determined, as well as food and water intake, body weight and urine volume were registered weekly. Data showed no significant differences in the analyzed variables. Based on these results, one may conclude that propolis had no effects after diabetes establishment, in our conditions assays. Further assays with different concentrations of propolis and periods of administration should be carried out in order to evaluate its therapeutic potential in this disease.

Hepatic endogenous defense potential of propolis after mercury intoxication

Exposure to mercuric chloride (HgCl(2) ; 5 mg kg(-1) body weight; i.p.) induced oxidative stress in mice and substantially increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels, decreased the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and various antioxidant enzymes in liver and also increased the activities of liver marker enzymes in serum. Therapy with propolis extract, a resinous wax-like beehive product (200 mg kg(-1) orally, after mercury administration), for 3 days inhibited LPO and the formation of GSSG and increased the level of GSH in the liver. Release of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase were significantly restored after propolis treatment. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, that is, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, were also concomitantly restored towards normal levels after propolis administration. These observations clearly demonstrate that propolis treatment augments antioxidant defense against mercury-induced toxicity and provide evidence that propolis has therapeutic potential as a hepatoprotective agent.

Multiple treatment of propolis extract ameliorates carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats

Propolis, a resinous wax-like beehive product has been used as a traditional remedy for various diseases due to a variety of biological activities of this folk medicine. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to validate hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of propolis (50–400 mg/kg, p.o.) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4, 0.5 ml/kg, p.o.) induced acute liver injury in rats. Silymarin, a known hepatoprotective drug was used as a positive control. Administration of CCl 4 altered various diagnostically important biochemical variables. Multiple treatment of propolis significantly prevented the release of transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, urea and uric acid in serum; improved the activity of hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes, i.e., aniline hydroxylase and amidopyrine- N-demethylase; significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation and markedly enhanced glutathione in liver and kidney as well as brought altered carbohydrate contents (blood sugar and tissue glycogen), protein contents (serum, microsomal and tissue protein) and lipid contents (serum and tissue triglycerides, serum cholesterol, total and esterified cholesterol in tissue) towards control. Propolis treatment also reversed CCl 4 induced severe alterations in histoarchitecture of liver and kidney in a dose dependent manner. Hepatoprotective activity of propolis at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg was statistically compared to silymarin and found that propolis exhibited better effectiveness than silymarin in certain parameters, concluded its hepatoprotective potential.

Effect of Propolis on Insulin Resistance in Fructose-drinking Rats

Propolis, a honeybee product, contains a variety of biologically active substances. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of propolis on insulin resistance induced by fructose-drinking rats (FDR; type 2 diabetic animal model). Male Wistar rats (6 weeks old) received 15% fructose solution in drinking water for 8 weeks. FDR showed significant increases in plasma levels of insulin, Homeostasis Model Assessment ratio (HOMA-R, an index of insulin resistance), body weight, and systolic blood pressure but not blood glucose levels, when compared with control rats. Brazilian propolis extract (100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) treatment for 8 weeks significantly decreased the plasma level of insulin, HOMA-R, and body weight, increased plasma triglyceride levels without affecting blood glucose and total cholesterol levels, and tended to decrease systolic blood pressure. In isolated and perfused mesenteric vascular beds of FDR, propolis treatment resulted in a significant reduction of sympathetic nerve-mediated vasoconstrictor response to periarterial nerve stimulation (PNS; 8 Hz) and tended to increase the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) nerve-mediated vasodilator response to PNS, compared with those in untreated FDR. However, propolis treatment did not significantly affect norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction and CGRP-induced vasodilation. These results suggest that propolis could be an effective functional food to prevent the development of insulin resistance.

프로폴리스가 X-선에 노출된 마우스 정소에 미치는 방사선 방어 효과

프로폴리스는 꿀벌에 의해 생산되는 천연물질로서, 항미생물, 항산화, 항암 활성이 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 그러나 프로폴리스에 의한 방사선 방어효과에 대한 특성은 잘 연구되지 않았다. 마우스 정소조직을 대상으로 프로폴리스에 의한 방사선 방어효과를 연구하기 위하여, 프로폴리스를 섭식시키거나 복강 투여한 후 각각 방사선을 조사한 후, 마우스의 정소조직을 광학현미경과 전자현미경을 통해 관찰하였다. 그 결과 방사선에 의해 유도된 세포의 변형이 프로폴리스에 의해 회복됨을 알 수 있었다. 또한 이러한 방사선 회복 효과의 분자기전을 이해하고자 DNA microarray 실험을 수행하였다. 그 결과 방사선만 조사한 마우스에 비해 방사선과 프로폴리스를 동시에 처리한 마우스의 정소에서 2배 이상 증가되는 유전자 65개를 선별하였고, 반대로 2배 이상 감소되는 유전자 진4개를 선별하였다. 이중에서 각각의 유전자군에서 2개의 유전자를 선별하여 RT-PCR을 수행하여 마이크로어레이 결과를 검증하였다. 이러한 결과들은 마우스 모델에서 프로폴리스에 의한 방사선 방어효과의 분자기전을 이해하는데 도움이 될 것으로 기대된다. The propolis is natural product produced by honeybees and is known to have many biologically useful properties such as anti-microbial, anti-oxidative and anti-tumorigenic activity. However, its radio-protective property has not been well studied. To investigate radio-protective effect of propolis on mouse testis, mice were supplemented with propolis after 5 Gy irradiation. The histological changes of testis were detected by TEM. The results indicate that propolis may protect tissue deformation which is induced by 5 Gy of ionizing radiation. Furthermore, to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms involved in radio-protective property of propolis, we performed microarray experiments using oligo DNA microarray. We found 65 up-regulated genes and 224 down-regulated genes, whose expression levels were affected more than 2-fold by propolis treatment in mice irradiated at 5 Gy. We confirmed microarray data with reverse transcription-PCR using gene specific primers. The results of RT-PCR are highly correlated with those of microarray. These results may help understanding molecular mechanisms of radioprotective effects by propolis in mouse model.