Propolis -bee glue / GSH Cancer Research Results

PBG, Propolis -bee glue: Click to Expand ⟱
Features: Compound
Brazilian Green Propolis often considered best
• Derived from Baccharis dracunulifolia, this type is rich in artepillin C.
• It has been widely researched for its anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
-Propolis common researched flavonoids :chrysin, pinocembrin, galangin, pinobanksin(Pinocembrin)
-most representative phenolic acids were caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid, as well as their derivatives, DMCA and caffeic acid prenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl (CAPE), and cinnamyl esters
-One of the most studied active compounds of a poplar-type propolis is caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE)
-caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), galangin, chrysin, nemorosone, propolin G, artepillin C, cardanol, pinocembrin, pinobanksin, chicoric acid, and phenolic acids (caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and coumaric acid), as well as luteolin, apigenin, myricetin, naringenin, kaempferol, quercetin, polysaccharides, tannins, terpenes, sterols, and aldehydes -content highly variable based on location and extraction
Two main factors of interest:
1. affects interstitual fluild pH
2. high concentration raises ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species), while low concentration may reduce ROS

- Artepillin-C (major phenolic compounds found in Brazilian green propolis (BGP))
- caffeic acid major source

Propolis is chemically diverse (300+ compounds reported) and composition depends on botanical/geographic source.
Antibacterial activity is documented in classic literature (often stronger against Gram+).
CAPE from propolis has reported preferential tumor cytotoxicity in early landmark work (often cited in antimicrobial paper references)

Do not combine with 2DG

Pathways:
-Propolis compounds (e.g., artepillin C, caffeic acid phenethyl ester [CAPE]) can trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells.
-Propolis has been shown to inhibit NF‑κB activation.
-Propolis extracts can cause cell cycle arrest at specific checkpoints (e.g., G0/G1 or G2/M phases).
-Enhance the body’s antitumor immune responses, for example by activating natural killer (NK) cells and modulating cytokine profiles.

-Note half-life no standard, high variablity of content.
BioAv poor water solubility, and low oral bioavailability.
Pathways:
- high concentration may induce ROS production, while low concentrations mya low it. This may apply to both normal and cancer cells. Normal Cells Example. (Also not sure if high level are acheivable in vivo due to bioavailability)
- ROS↑ related: MMP↓(ΔΨm), ER Stress↑, UPR↑, GRP78↑, Ca+2↑, Cyt‑c↑, Caspases↑, DNA damage↑, cl-PARP↑, HSP↓, Prx,
SOD↓, GSH↓">GSH↓ Catalase↓ HO1↓ GPx↓ -->
- Raises AntiOxidant defense in Normal Cells: ROS↓, NRF2↑, SOD↑, GSH↑">GSH↑, Catalase↑,
- lowers Inflammation : NF-kB↓, COX2↓, Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines : NLRP3↓, TNF-α↓, IL-6↓, IL-8↓
- inhibit Growth/Metastases : TumMeta↓, TumCG↓, EMT↓, MMPs↓, MMP2↓, MMP9↓, IGF-1↓, uPA↓, VEGF↓, ROCK1↓, FAK↓, RhoA↓, NF-κB↓, TGF-β↓, α-SMA↓, ERK↓
- reactivate genes thereby inhibiting cancer cell growth : HDAC↓, P53↑,
- cause Cell cycle arrest : TumCCA↑, cyclin D1↓, cyclin E↓, CDK2↓, CDK4↓, CDK6↓,
- inhibits Migration/Invasion : TumCMig↓, TumCI↓, TNF-α↓, FAK↓, ERK↓, EMT↓, TOP1↓, TET1,
- inhibits glycolysis /Warburg Effect and ATP depletion : HIF-1α↓, PKM2↓, cMyc↓, GLUT1↓, LDH↓, LDHA↓, HK2↓, PFKs↓, PDKs↓, GRP78↑, GlucoseCon↓
- inhibits angiogenesis↓ : VEGF↓, HIF-1α↓,
- Others: PI3K↓, AKT↓, STAT↓, β-catenin↓, AMPK, ERK↓, JNK,
- Synergies: chemo-sensitization, chemoProtective, RadioSensitizer, RadioProtective, Others(review target notes), Neuroprotective, Cognitive, Renoprotection, Hepatoprotective, CardioProtective,

- Selectivity: Cancer Cells vs Normal Cells

Rank Pathway / Axis Cancer Cells Normal Cells TSF Primary Effect Notes / Interpretation
1 ROS / redox stress (context-selective) Often ↑ ROS / oxidative stress susceptibility (P→R→G) Often antioxidant / cytoprotective in inflammatory stress contexts (R→G) P, R, G Stress amplifier / selectivity gate Net ROS direction is highly context- and extract-dependent; propolis chemistry varies by geography/plant source and can shift redox behavior.
2 NF-κB inflammatory transcription ↓ NF-κB activity (R→G) Anti-inflammatory signaling in immune/tissue contexts (R→G) R, G Anti-inflammatory / anti-survival transcription A common “hub” claim across propolis literature; contributes to reduced cytokine/pro-survival programs.
3 Intrinsic apoptosis (mitochondria → caspases) ↑ apoptosis; ↑ caspase activation (G) ↔ (usually less activation) G Cell death execution Often downstream of sustained stress signaling and/or survival pathway suppression.
4 MAPK re-wiring (ERK / p38 / JNK) Stress MAPK shifts; JNK/p38 often ↑ with stress (P→R); ERK variable ↔ / context-dependent P, R, G Signal reprogramming MAPK directions depend on extract composition, dose, and tumor type; best described as “re-wiring” rather than fixed arrows for ERK.
5 PI3K → AKT (± mTOR) ↓ PI3K/AKT survival signaling (R→G) ↔ R, G Growth/survival suppression Often reported alongside reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis susceptibility.
6 Nrf2 / antioxidant response (HO-1, GSH enzymes) Context-dependent (may be ↓ in tumor-stress settings; may be ↑ as adaptation) Often ↑ protective antioxidant response under stress R, G Adaptive buffering Nrf2 direction is not universal; avoid absolute “Nrf2 always ↑/↓” statements for propolis.
7 Angiogenesis (VEGF and related factors) ↓ angiogenic signaling outputs (G) ↔ G Anti-angiogenic support Usually shows up in later gene-expression / phenotype assays rather than early signaling.
8 EMT / invasion / migration (MMPs, EMT markers) ↓ EMT / ↓ migration & invasion programs (G) ↔ G Anti-invasive phenotype Often measured as reduced MMP activity and reduced migration/invasion phenotypes; timing tends to be later.
9 Antimicrobial / microbiome-relevant effects Indirect (may reduce infection-driven inflammation) Direct antimicrobial activity (context) R, G Host-protective / anti-infective Propolis has documented antibacterial activity (stronger vs many Gram+ than Gram− in classic reports), which can matter for inflammation-linked biology.
10 Key bioactives (CAPE; flavonoids/phenolics) CAPE-class compounds: tumor-selective cytotoxicity reported (G) ↔ G “Active fraction” concept Propolis is a mixture; effects may be driven by a few high-impact phenolics (e.g., CAPE) and vary by extract standardization.

Time-Scale Flag (TSF): P / R / G

  • P: 0–30 min (primary/physical–chemical effects; rapid signaling / phosphorylation shifts)
  • R: 30 min–3 hr (redox signaling + acute stress-response signaling)
  • G: >3 hr (gene-regulatory adaptation and phenotype-level outcomes)
GSH, Glutathione: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type:
Glutathione (GSH) is a thiol antioxidant that scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in the formation of oxidized glutathione (GSSG). Decreased amounts of GSH and a decreased GSH/GSSG ratio in tissues are biomarkers of oxidative stress.
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant found in every cell of the body, composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamine, and glycine. It plays a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative stress, detoxifying harmful substances, and supporting the immune system.
cancer cells can have elevated levels of glutathione, which may help them survive in the oxidative environment created by the immune response and chemotherapy. This can make cancer cells more resistant to treatment.
While glutathione can be obtained from certain foods (like fruits, vegetables, and meats), its absorption from supplements is debated. Some people take N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or other precursors to boost glutathione levels, but the effects on cancer prevention or treatment are still being studied.
Depleting glutathione (GSH) to raise reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a strategy that has been explored in cancer research and therapy.
Many cancer cells have altered redox states and may rely on GSH to survive. Increasing ROS levels can induce stress in these cells, potentially leading to cell death.
Certain drugs and compounds can deplete GSH levels. For example, agents like buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) inhibit the synthesis of GSH, leading to its depletion.
Cancer cells tend to exhibit higher levels of intracellular GSH, possibly as an adaptive response to a higher metabolism and thus higher steady-state levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

"...intracellular glutathione (GSH) exhibits an astounding antioxidant activity in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS)..."
"Cancer cells have a high level of GSH compared to normal cells."
"...cancer cells are affluent with high antioxidant levels, especially with GSH, whose appearance at an elevated concentration of ∼10 mM (10 times less in normal cells) detoxifies the cancer cells." "Therefore, GSH depletion can be assumed to be the key strategy to amplify the oxidative stress in cancer cells, enhancing the destruction of cancer cells by fruitful cancer therapy."

The loss of GSH is broadly known to be directly related to the apoptosis progression.
Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
3249- PBG,    Can Propolis Be a Useful Adjuvant in Brain and Neurological Disorders and Injuries? A Systematic Scoping Review of the Latest Experimental Evidence
- Review, Var, NA
*Inflam↓, *ROS↓, *MDA↓, *TNF-α↓, *NO↓, *iNOS↓, *SOD↑, *GPx↑, *GSR↓, *GSH↑, *neuroP↑, *IL6↓, *MMP2↓, *MMP9↓, *MCP1↓, *HSP70/HSPA5↑, *motorD↑, *Pain↓, *VCAM-1↓, *NF-kB↓, *MAPK↓, *JNK↓, *IL1β↓, *AChE↓, *toxicity∅, cognitive↑,
3250- PBG,    Allergic Inflammation: Effect of Propolis and Its Flavonoids
- Review, NA, NA
*SOD↑, *GPx↑, *Catalase↑, *Prx↑, *HO-1↑, *Inflam↓, *TNF-α↓, *IL1β↓, *IL4↑, *IL10↑, *TLR4↓, *LOX1↓, *COX1↓, *COX2↓, *NF-kB↓, *AP-1↓, *ROS↓, *GSH↑, *TGF-β↓, *IL8↓, *MMP9↓, *α-SMA↓, *MDA↓,
3251- PBG,    The Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Flavonoids from Propolis via Nrf2 and NF-κB Pathways
- Review, AD, NA - Review, Diabetic, NA - Review, Var, NA - in-vitro, Nor, H9c2
*antiOx↑, *Inflam↓, *ROS↓, *SOD↑, *Catalase↑, *HO-1↑, *NO↓, *NOS2↓, *NF-kB↓, *NRF2↑, *hepatoP↑, *MDA↓, *mtDam↓, *GSH↑, *p65↓, *TNF-α↓, *IL1β↓, *NRF2↑, *NRF2↓, *ROS⇅, *BioAv↓, *BioAv↑,
3257- PBG,    The Potential Use of Propolis as a Primary or an Adjunctive Therapy in Respiratory Tract-Related Diseases and Disorders: A Systematic Scoping Review
- Review, Var, NA
CDK4↓, CDK6↓, pRB↓, ROS↓, TumCCA↑, P21↑, PI3K↓, Akt↓, EMT↓, E-cadherin↑, Vim↓, *COX2↓, *MPO↓, *MDA↓, *TNF-α↓, *IL6↓, *Catalase↑, *SOD↑, *AST↓, *ALAT↓, *IL1β↓, *IL10↓, *GPx↓, *TLR4↓, *Sepsis↓, *IFN-γ↑, *GSH↑, *NRF2↑, *α-SMA↓, *TGF-β↓, *IL5↓, *IL6↓, *IL8↓, *PGE2↓, *NF-kB↓, *MMP9↓,
3259- PBG,    Propolis and its therapeutic effects on renal diseases: A review
- Review, Nor, NA
*Inflam↓, *COX2↓, *ROS↓, *NO↓, *NF-kB↓, TumCP↓, angioG↓, VEGF↓, STAT↓, Hif1a↓, RenoP↑, TLR4↓, *MDA↓, *GSH↑, *SOD↑, *Catalase↑, *toxicity∅,
1670- PBG,    Lung response to propolis treatment during experimentally induced lung adenocarcinoma
- in-vivo, Lung, NA
GSH↑, SOD↑, MDA↓, selectivity↑, Inflam↓, TumW↓,
1679- PBG,    Constituents of Propolis: Chrysin, Caffeic Acid, p-Coumaric Acid, and Ferulic Acid Induce PRODH/POX-Dependent Apoptosis in Human Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell (CAL-27)
- in-vitro, SCC, CAL27
tumCV↓, P53↑, Casp9↑, Casp3↑, GSH↓, proline↓,

Showing Research Papers: 1 to 7 of 7

* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 7

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress ⓘ

GSH↓, 1,   GSH↑, 1,   MDA↓, 1,   ROS↓, 1,   SOD↑, 1,  

Cell Death ⓘ

Akt↓, 1,   Casp3↑, 1,   Casp9↑, 1,  

Transcription & Epigenetics ⓘ

pRB↓, 1,   tumCV↓, 1,  

DNA Damage & Repair ⓘ

P53↑, 1,  

Cell Cycle & Senescence ⓘ

CDK4↓, 1,   P21↑, 1,   TumCCA↑, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State ⓘ

EMT↓, 1,   PI3K↓, 1,   STAT↓, 1,  

Migration ⓘ

E-cadherin↑, 1,   proline↓, 1,   TumCP↓, 1,   Vim↓, 1,  

Angiogenesis & Vasculature ⓘ

angioG↓, 1,   Hif1a↓, 1,   VEGF↓, 1,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling ⓘ

Inflam↓, 1,   TLR4↓, 1,  

Hormonal & Nuclear Receptors ⓘ

CDK6↓, 1,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance ⓘ

selectivity↑, 1,  

Functional Outcomes ⓘ

cognitive↑, 1,   RenoP↑, 1,   TumW↓, 1,  
Total Targets: 31

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress ⓘ

antiOx↑, 1,   Catalase↑, 4,   GPx↓, 1,   GPx↑, 2,   GSH↑, 5,   GSR↓, 1,   HO-1↑, 2,   MDA↓, 5,   MPO↓, 1,   NRF2↓, 1,   NRF2↑, 3,   Prx↑, 1,   ROS↓, 4,   ROS⇅, 1,   SOD↑, 5,  

Mitochondria & Bioenergetics ⓘ

mtDam↓, 1,  

Core Metabolism/Glycolysis ⓘ

ALAT↓, 1,  

Cell Death ⓘ

iNOS↓, 1,   JNK↓, 1,   MAPK↓, 1,  

Protein Folding & ER Stress ⓘ

HSP70/HSPA5↑, 1,  

Migration ⓘ

AP-1↓, 1,   MMP2↓, 1,   MMP9↓, 3,   TGF-β↓, 2,   VCAM-1↓, 1,   α-SMA↓, 2,  

Angiogenesis & Vasculature ⓘ

LOX1↓, 1,   NO↓, 3,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling ⓘ

COX1↓, 1,   COX2↓, 3,   IFN-γ↑, 1,   IL10↓, 1,   IL10↑, 1,   IL1β↓, 4,   IL4↑, 1,   IL5↓, 1,   IL6↓, 3,   IL8↓, 2,   Inflam↓, 4,   MCP1↓, 1,   NF-kB↓, 5,   p65↓, 1,   PGE2↓, 1,   TLR4↓, 2,   TNF-α↓, 4,  

Synaptic & Neurotransmission ⓘ

AChE↓, 1,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance ⓘ

BioAv↓, 1,   BioAv↑, 1,  

Clinical Biomarkers ⓘ

ALAT↓, 1,   AST↓, 1,   IL6↓, 3,   NOS2↓, 1,  

Functional Outcomes ⓘ

hepatoP↑, 1,   motorD↑, 1,   neuroP↑, 1,   Pain↓, 1,   toxicity∅, 2,  

Infection & Microbiome ⓘ

Sepsis↓, 1,  
Total Targets: 59

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: GSH, Glutathione
7 Propolis -bee glue
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells

Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:137  Target#:137  State#:%  Dir#:%
  wNotes=0  sortOrder:rid,rpid

 

Home Page