Evaluation of the radioprotective effect of Turkish propolis on foreskin fibroblast cells.

AIM OF STUDY: Propolis is a resinous bee product, rich of polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids. It is known that in different geographic zones its chemical composition varies due to the different plant sources. Many biological properties including antimicrobial, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, antigenotoxic, antimutagenic, cytostatic activities have been ascribed to propolis. These biological effects are predominantly attributed to its content of polyphenols. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the radioprotective effect of ethanolic extract of Turkish propolis. (EETP) against γ-ray-induced DNA damage on fibroblast cells using comet assay for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fibroblast cells were pretreated 15 and 30 min with concentrations of 100, 200 and 300 µg/mL EETP then they were exposed to 3 Gy γ-rays. Amifostine (synthetic aminothiol compound) was used as a positive control. RESULTS: The results showed a significant decrease in γ-ray-induced DNA damage on cells treated with EETP and amifostine when compared to only irradiated cells. (P < 001). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that EETP prevent γ-ray-induced DNA damage in fibroblast cells and might have radioprotective activity.