Turkish Propolis and Its Nano Form Can Ameliorate the Side Effects of Cisplatin, Which Is a Widely Used Drug in the Treatment of Cancer

Abstract

This study was performed to determine the effects of chitosan-coated nano-propolis (NP), which is synthesized via a green sonochemical method, and propolis on the side effects of cisplatin (CP), which is a widely used drug in the treatment of cancer. For this aim, 56 rats were divided into seven groups, balancing their body weights (BW). The study was designed as Control, CP (3 mg/kg BW at single dose of CP as intraperitoneal, ip), Propolis (100 mg/kg BW per day of propolis by gavage), NP-10 (10 mg/kg BW of NP per day by gavage), CP + Propolis (3 mg/kg BW of CP and 100 mg/kg BW of propolis), CP + NP-10 (3 mg/kg CP and 10 mg/kg BW of NP), and CP + NP-30 (3 mg/kg BW of CP and 30 mg/kg BW of NP). Propolis and NP (especially NP-30) were preserved via biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, and activation of apoptotic pathways (anti-apoptotic protein: Bcl-2 and pro-apoptotic protein: Bax) in liver and kidney tissues in the toxicity induced by CP. The NP were more effective than propolis at a dose of 30 mg/kg BW and had the potential to ameliorate CP’s negative effects while overcoming serious side effects such as liver and kidney damage.

Comparing the activity of propolis‐loaded nanoparticles or hydroethanolic extract on cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells

“…Although in vivo assays have demonstrated the efficacy of nanoparticles containing propolis (Seven et al, 2020), in our study, the extract exhibited a higher immunomodulatory activity than nanoparticles regarding cytokine production by immune cells in vitro. Since the efficiency of nanoparticles encapsulation was almost 100%, one may speculate that propolis constituents were not released within the incubation period or that nanoparticles could be mostly internalized without releasing propolis constituents in the supernatant to further act in cell membrane receptors.…”

Antitumor and Radiosensitizing Effects of Zinc Oxide-Caffeic Acid Nanoparticles against Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma in Female Mice

“…It was demonstrated that CA maintains the structural integrity of the membranes against alcohol-intoxication, 70 and protects the liver from cadmium toxicity in rats, 71 which is in line with previous findings demonstrated that chitosan-coated nano-propolis protects liver and kidney against cisplatin toxicity in rats, and that nano-propolis was more effective than propolis and had the potential to ameliorate cisplatin negative effects, while overcoming serious side effects such as liver and kidney damage. 72 The solid EC-bearing mice exposed to γ-irradiation displayed a slight considerable rise of serum urea level, while treatment of solid EC-bearing mice with ZnO-CA NPs, alone or combined with γ-radiation, exhibited a considerable increase in serum urea level compared to untreated solid EC-bearing mice. The increased serum urea could be attributed to enhanced protein breakdown after exposure to ionizing radiation, where the end product of protein catabolism is urea.…”

New insights of propolis nanoformulation and its therapeutic potential in human diseases

“…This is due to the properties of chitosan, which has a wide range of biological activities, such as non-toxic, biodegradable, antibacterial activity, wound healing and biocompatibility, which can be combined with polymers, metals, and ceramic materials. It is also employed for material-body contact because the free amino groups in cationic charge promote interaction with the anionic cell surface [ 96 , 97 ]. PVA is a water-soluble polymer that is also biocompatible, biodegradable, and capable of enhancing oxygen permeability.…”

“…Nanopropolis has been widely reported for its use as a cancer therapy. A previous study reported that nanopropolis has efficacy in ameliorating severe hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity caused by drugs at a dose of 30 mg/kg [ 96 ]. In addition, other research suggests that nanopropolis exerts a notable inhibitory influence on tumor development in female mice.…”