Fitoterapia. 2002 Nov; 73 Suppl 1(): S38-43.

Effect of a propolis extract and caffeic acid phenethyl ester on formation of aberrant crypt foci and tumors in the rat colon.

Borrelli F, Izzo AA, Di Carlo G, Maffia P, Russo A, Maiello FM, Capasso F, Mascolo N.

Department of Experimental Pharmacology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy. franborr@unina.it

We have studied the effect of propolis and its main active ingredient caffeic acid phenetyl ester (CAPE) on formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and tumors in the rat colon in vivo. CAPE (50 mg/kg i.p.) reduced the formation of ACF and tumor induced by azoxymethane, while propolis ethanolic extract was without effect. These results suggest a potential anti-carcinogenesis of CAPE but not propolis.