Assessment in vitro of cytogenetic and genotoxic effects of propolis on human lymphocytes

A. Montoro^a,
J.M. Soriano^b^,^,,
J.F. Barquinero^c,
M. Almonacid^a,
A. Montoro^b,
G. Verdú^d,
V. Sahuquillo^a,
J.I. Villaescusa^a,
N. Sebastià^b

^a Servicio de Protección Radiológica, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain
^b Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
^c Unitat d’Antropologia Biològica, Dpt. Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
^d Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Nuclear, Escuela Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain

Received 1 September 2011. Accepted 17 October 2011. Available online 25 October 2011.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2011.10.053, How to Cite or Link Using DOI
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Abstract

We evaluated the genetic damage by ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) induced to human lymphocytes which were exposed to increasing concentrations (0–2000 μg ml⁻¹). The results indicated that EEP reduced significantly the mitotic index (MI) and proliferation index (PI) when high concentrations of EEP were used. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) rates indicated that EEP could have genotoxic effects at high concentrations. Exposure of the cells to the amount of ethanol used as solvent did not alter either the MI and cell proliferation kinetics (CPK), or the rate of SCE. The results showed: (a) statistical increase in the percentage the cells with CAs and in the frequency of SCE at the highest concentrations, (b) a decrease in MI and in the CPK values was observed, (c) no effect was noticed in negative controls. In conclusion, it can be assumed that high concentrations of EEP have a cyto and genotoxic effect, in vitro, for human peripheral lymphocytes.

Highlights

► Propolis is used in folk medicine, to exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities. ► A good tool to evaluate this product is the study of cytogenetic and genotoxic effects. ► Human peripheral lymphocytes has useful to detect exposures to genotoxic compounds.

Keywords

Ethanolic extract of propolis;
In vitro;
Human lymphocytes;
Cytotoxicity;
Genotoxicity

Figures and tables from this article:

: Fig. 1. Effect of different concentrations of EEP in the frequency of SCE on cultured human lymphocytes.; View Within Article

: Fig. 2. Effect of different concentrations of EEP on the mitotic index (MI) and proliferation index (PI) of cultured human lymphocytes. Data are presented as percentage of inhibition of the MI and PI. Results for control cultures are taken as 100%.; View Within Article

: Fig. 3. Correlation between proliferation rate index (PRI) and% inhibition of mitotic index (IMI) from cultures untreated and treated with different concentrations of ethanol extract of propolis.; View Within Article