A. Montoro,1* J. F. Barquinero,2 M. Almonacid,1 A. Montoro,3 N. Sebastià,3 G. Verdú,4 V. Sahuquillo,1 J. Serrano,5 M. Saiz,5 J. I. Villaescusa,1 and J. M. Soriano3
1Servicio de Protección Radiológica, Hospital Universitario La Fe, 46009 Valencia, Spain
2Unitat d’Antropologia Biològica, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
3Área de Nutrición y Bromatología, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
4Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Nuclear, Escuela Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
5Dietéticos Intersa, Plaza Dr. Seres no. 13, Torreserona, Lleida 25131, Spain
*A. Montoro: Email: montoro_ale@gva.es
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 μg 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 μg 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.
* THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.