Artepillin C (ARC) in Brazilian green propolis selectively blocks oncogenic PAK1 signaling and suppresses the growth of NF tumors in mice

Shanta M. Messerli, Mok Ryeon Ahn, Kazuhiro Kunimasa, Miyako Yanagihara, Tomoki Tatefuji, Ken Hashimoto, Victor Mautner, Yoshihiro Uto, Hitoshi Hori, Shigenori Kumazawa, Kazuhiko Kaji, Toshiro Ohta, Hiroshi Maruta

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

87 Scopus citations

Abstract

There are mainly three types of propolis whose major anticancer ingredients are entirely different: (1) CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester)-based propolis in Europe, Far East and New Zealand, (2) artepillin C (ARC)-based Brazilian green propolis and (3) Brazilian red propolis. It was shown previously that NF (neurofibromatosis)- associated tumors require the kinase PAK1 for their growth, and CAPE-based propolis extracts such as Bio 30 suppress completely the growth of NF tumors in vivo by blocking PAK1 signaling. Also it was demonstrated that ARC suppresses angiogenesis, suggesting the possibility that ARC also blocks oncogenic PAK1 signaling. Here it is shown for the first time that both ARC and green propolis extract (GPE) indeed block the PAK1 signaling selectively, without affecting another kinase known as AKT. Furthermore, it was confirmed that ARC as well as GPE suppress almost completely the growth of human NF tumor xenografts in mice, as does Bio 30. These results suggest that both CAPE-based and ARC-based propolis extracts are natural anti- PAK1 remedies and could be among the first effective NF therapeutics available on the market. Since more than 70% of human cancers such as breast and prostate cancers require the kinase PAK1 for their growth, it is quite possible that GPE could be potentially useful for the treatment of these cancers, as is Bio 30.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)423-427
Number of pages5
JournalPhytotherapy Research
Volume23
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Artepillin c
  • Brazilian green propolis
  • NF
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • PAK1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

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