Khalil Mahmoud Lotfy
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, Minufiya University, Sadat City, Minufiya, Egypt, P.O. 22857-79.
Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2006 Jan-Mar;7(1):22-31.
Propolis is a natural product derived from plant resins collected by honeybees. It is used by bees as glue, a general-purpose sealer, and as draught-extruder for beehives. Propolis has been used in folk medicine for centuries. It is known that propolis possesses anti-microbial, antioxidative, anti-ulcer and anti-tumor activities. Therefore, propolis has attracted much attention in recent years as a useful or potential substance used in medicine and cosmetics products. Furthermore, it is now extensively used in foods and beverages with the claim that it can maintain or improve human health. The chemical composition of propolis is quite complicated. More than 300 compounds such as polyphenols, phenolic aldehydes, sequiterpene quinines, coumarins, amino acids, steroids and inorganic compounds have been identified in propolis samples. The contents depend on the collecting location, time and plant source. Consequently, biological activities of propolis gathered from different phytogeographical areas and time periods vary greatly. In this review, the activity of bee propolis will be presented with special emphasis on the antitumor activity.
蜂胶是一种源自蜜蜂采集的植物树脂的天然产物。蜜蜂将其用作胶水、通用密封剂以及蜂箱的通风挤出物。蜂胶在民间医学中已使用了数百年。已知蜂胶具有抗菌、抗氧化、抗溃疡和抗肿瘤活性。因此，近年来蜂胶作为一种用于医药和化妆品的有用或潜在物质受到了广泛关注。此外，它现在广泛用于食品和饮料中，宣称其可以维持或改善人类健康。蜂胶的化学成分相当复杂。在蜂胶样品中已鉴定出300多种化合物，如多酚、酚醛、倍半萜醌、香豆素、氨基酸、类固醇和无机化合物。其含量取决于采集地点、时间和植物来源。因此，从不同植物地理区域和时间段采集的蜂胶的生物活性差异很大。在本综述中，将特别强调蜂胶的抗肿瘤活性来介绍其活性。
