Chemical and biological studies on the functions of propolis

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Propolis is a natural resinous substance collected by honeybees from buds and exudates of certain trees and plants to protect their beehive from enemies. It is used as folk medicine in many regions of the world. In this study, chemical and biological methods were applied to evaluate the functions of propolis. In particular, chemical analyses of the propolis from Jeju (Korea) and the Solomon Islands were carried out, and we determined several new compounds from them. In addition, we searched for antiangiogenic compounds from propolis, the ethanol extracts of Okinawan propolis showed significant antiangiogenic activities in vitro and in vivo assay systems, and we evaluated the modes of action of antiangiogenic effects of the major component of Okinawan propolis, nymphaeol-A by investigating the inhibition of tube formation, as well as changes in survival signals and apoptotic pathways using human umbilical vein endothelial cells.