Evaluation of the quimiopreventive potential of the Brazilian propolis red HYDROALCOOLIC extract

Abstract

The Brazilian red propolis, produced in the State of Alagoas, is a product synthesized by bees of the species Apis melífera, from the collect of exudates of plants of the species Dalbergia ecastophyllum (L) Taub., found mainly in estuaries, mangroves and in restinga vegetation. Rich in flavonoids, tannins, xanthones and terpenoids, this propolis has antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumor activity. Considering the biological properties of this natural product, the present study aims to evaluate the chemopreventive potential of the red propolis hydroalcoholic extract (RPHE) in rodents. Therefore, the influence of RPHE will be evaluated on the genotoxicity induced by the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin, through the micronucleus test in Swiss mouse peripheral blood, and on pre-neoplastic lesions in the colon of rats induced by the carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, through the test of aberrant crypt foci. In order to understand the signaling pathways involved in the biological properties of RPHE, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities will be analyzed by expression of nuclear transcription factors NF-kB and Nrf2, respectively, using immunohistochemistry technique in colon rats. In addition, the anti-inflammatory activity will also be investigated by quantifying nitric oxide in macrophages isolated from the rats, by the flow cytometry. The systemic toxicity of the treatments will be evaluated by analyzing biochemical markers such as alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in rodents. The researches with Brazilian propolis have been promising in the search of new treatments, so that the results obtained in this study will contribute to a better understanding of the biological activities and mechanisms of action of this natural product. (AU)