Concentration-Dependent Protection by Ethanol Extract of Propolis against γ-Ray-Induced Chromosome Damage in Human Blood Lymphocytes. (11th October 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Montoro, A.; Barquinero, J. F.; Almonacid, M.; Montoro, A.; Sebastià, N.; Verdú, G.; Sahuquillo, V.; Serrano, J.; Saiz, M.; Villaescusa, J. I.; Soriano, J. M.
• Is Part Of: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. Volume 2011(2011)
• Publication Date: 2010-10-11
• Subjects: Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.1155/2011/174853
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-427X

Abstract

Abstract : Radioprotection with natural products may be relevant to the mitigation of ionizing radiation-induced damage in mammalian systems; in this sense, propolis extracts have shown effects such as antioxidant, antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulant. We report for the first time a cytogenetic study to evaluate the radioprotective effect, in vitro, of propolis against radiation-induced chromosomal damage. Lymphocytes were cultured with increasing concentrations of ethanol extract of propolis (EEP), including 20, 40, 120, 250, 500, 750, 1000, and 2000 μ g mL − 1 and then exposed to 2 Gy γ -rays. A significant and concentration-dependent decrease is observed in the frequency of chromosome aberrations in samples treated with EEP. The protection against the formation of dicentrics was concentration-dependent, with a maximum protection at 120 μ g mL − 1 of EEP. The observed frequency of dicentrics is described as negative exponential function, indicating that the maximum protectible fraction of dicentrics is approximately 44%. Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities are the mechanisms that these substances use to protect cells from ionizing radiation.