Database Query Results : Propolis -bee glue, , α-SMA

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↓ Catalase↓ HO1↓ GPx↓ -->
- Raises AntiOxidant defense in Normal Cells: ROS↓, NRF2↑, SOD↑, 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)
α-SMA, α-smooth muscle actin: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type: protein
α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) is a protein that is often associated with cancer progression. It is a key component of the actin cytoskeleton and plays a crucial role in cell migration, invasion, and contraction.
α-SMA is often expressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are a type of stromal cell that surrounds the tumor. CAFs expressing α-SMA can promote tumor growth and metastasis.
High levels of α-SMA expression have been correlated with poor prognosis in various types of cancer, including breast, lung, and colorectal cancer.
Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
3250- PBG,    Allergic Inflammation: Effect of Propolis and Its Flavonoids
- Review, NA, NA
*SOD↑, increase in antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, peroxiredoxin, and heme oxygenase-1
*GPx↑,
*Catalase↑,
*Prx↑,
*HO-1↑,
*Inflam↓, anti-inflammatory properties of propolis may be based on the following mechanisms:
*TNF-α↓, (1) suppression of the release of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-1β;
*IL1β↓,
*IL4↑, (2) increase in production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10;
*IL10↑,
*TLR4↓, (3) prevention of TLR4 activation;
*LOX1↓, (4) suppression of LOX, COX-1 and COX-2 gene expression
*COX1↓,
*COX2↓,
*NF-kB↓, (5) suppression of NF-κB and AP-1 activities;
*AP-1↓,
*ROS↓, CAPE treatment reduced ROS levels in the airway microenvironmen
*GSH↑, GSH level increased after CAPE treatment in an animal allergic asthma model
*TGF-β↓, significantly limiting secretion of eotaxin-1, TGF-β1, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-13, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IL-8, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression
*IL8↓,
*MMP9↓,
*α-SMA↓,
*MDA↓, (MDA) production and protein carbonyl (PC) levels significantly decreased

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↓, CAPE also induces G1 phase cell arrest by lowering the expression of CDK4, CDK6, Rb, and p-Rb. M
CDK6↓,
pRB↓,
ROS↓, Artepillin C, a bioactive component of Brazilian green propolis, reduces oxidative damage markers, namely 4-HNE-modified proteins, 8-OHdG, malonaldehyde, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in lung tissues with pulmonary adenocarcinoma
TumCCA↑, Propolin, a novel component of prenylflavanones in Taiwanese propolis, was demonstrated to have anti-cancer properties. Propolin H induces cell arrest at G1 phase and upregulates the expression of p21
P21↑,
PI3K↓, Propolin C also inhibits PI3K/Akt and ERK-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by upregulating E-cadherin (epithelial cell marker) and downregulating vimentin
Akt↓,
EMT↓,
E-cadherin↑,
Vim↓,
*COX2↓, bioactive compounds such as CAPE, galangin significantly reduce the activity of lung cyclooxygenase (COX) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), and malonaldehyde (MDA), TNF-α, and IL-6 levels, while increasing the activity of catalase (CAT) and SOD
*MPO↓,
*MDA↓,
*TNF-α↓,
*IL6↓,
*Catalase↑,
*SOD↑,
*AST↓, Chrysin also reduces the expression of oxidative and inflammatory markers such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α, and MDA levels and increases the antioxidant parameters such as SOD, CAT, and GPx
*ALAT↓,
*IL1β↓,
*IL10↓,
*GPx↓,
*TLR4↓, propolis also inhibits the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), macrophage infiltration, MPO activity, and apoptosis of lung tissues in septic animals
*Sepsis↓,
*IFN-γ↑, CAPE also significantly increases IFN-γ
*GSH↑, propolis significantly increased the level of GSH and the histological appearances of propolis-treated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis rats.
*NRF2↑, CAPE significantly increases the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2)
*α-SMA↓, propolis significantly inhibits the expression of α- SMA, collagen fibers, and TGF-1β.
*TGF-β↓,
*IL5↓, Propolis also inhibits the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as TNF-α, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, NF-kB, IFN-γ, PGF2a, and PGE2.
*IL6↓,
*IL8↓,
*PGE2↓,
*NF-kB↓,
*MMP9↓, downregulating the expression of TGF-1β, ICAM-1, α-SMA, MMP-9, IgE, and IgG1.


* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 2

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress ⓘ

ROS↓, 1,  

Cell Death ⓘ

Akt↓, 1,  

Transcription & Epigenetics ⓘ

pRB↓, 1,  

Cell Cycle & Senescence ⓘ

CDK4↓, 1,   P21↑, 1,   TumCCA↑, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State ⓘ

EMT↓, 1,   PI3K↓, 1,  

Migration ⓘ

E-cadherin↑, 1,   Vim↓, 1,  

Hormonal & Nuclear Receptors ⓘ

CDK6↓, 1,  
Total Targets: 11

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress ⓘ

Catalase↑, 2,   GPx↓, 1,   GPx↑, 1,   GSH↑, 2,   HO-1↑, 1,   MDA↓, 2,   MPO↓, 1,   NRF2↑, 1,   Prx↑, 1,   ROS↓, 1,   SOD↑, 2,  

Core Metabolism/Glycolysis ⓘ

ALAT↓, 1,  

Migration ⓘ

AP-1↓, 1,   MMP9↓, 2,   TGF-β↓, 2,   α-SMA↓, 2,  

Angiogenesis & Vasculature ⓘ

LOX1↓, 1,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling ⓘ

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

Clinical Biomarkers ⓘ

ALAT↓, 1,   AST↓, 1,   IL6↓, 2,  

Infection & Microbiome ⓘ

Sepsis↓, 1,  
Total Targets: 36

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: α-SMA, α-smooth muscle actin
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#:719  State#:%  Dir#:%
  wNotes=on  sortOrder:rid,rpid

 

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