Propolis Induces AQP3 Expression: A Possible Way of Action in Wound Healing

Overview

Journal Molecules

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Biology

Date 2019 Apr 24

PMID 31010117

Citations 14

Authors

Simona Martinotti

Giorgia Pellavio

Umberto Laforenza

Elia Ranzato

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Propolis is the generic name of a complex of resinous compound collected by honeybees and it has been utilized for many years in folk medicine. As other products generated by honeybees (such as royal jelly, pollen, honey), propolis has great therapeutic properties, but very little scientific information is available. Therefore, this study was aimed at exploring the potential wound healing properties of propolis. To that end, we utilized an in vitro scratch wound healing model consisting of human immortalized keratinocytes. Our scratch wound data clearly demonstrated that propolis induced a pronounced increase in the wound repair abilities of keratinocytes. A cell migration assay showed that propolis stimulated keratinocytes to close the wound. We revealed the role of HO as the main mediator of propolis regenerative properties. We showed that this extracellularly released HO could pass across the plasma membrane through a specific aquaporin (i.e., AQP3) modulating intracellular responses. The data offer a biological characterization of propolis positive effects suggesting that propolis could also be utilized in wound treatment within clinical settings.

Citing Articles

Propolis: A Natural Substance with Multifaceted Properties and Activities.

Martinotti S, Bonsignore G, Ranzato E Int J Mol Sci. 2025; 26(4).

PMID: 40003984 PMC: 11855500. DOI: 10.3390/ijms26041519.

The Effect of Collagen-Propolis-Eucalyptus Hydrogel in Wound Healing: An In Vivo Study (Rat Model).

Tahmasebi E, Yazdanian A Vet Med Sci. 2025; 11(2):e70225.

PMID: 39927901 PMC: 11809206. DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70225.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant Properties and Biological Effects of a Novel Combined Barberry Root-Propolis Extract on HEK293T Cells.

Marcincakova D, Hudakova N, Milek M, Kolesarova M, Dzugan M, Cizkova D Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2025; 18(1).

PMID: 39861090 PMC: 11769209. DOI: 10.3390/ph18010027.

Understanding the Anticancer Properties of Honey.

Martinotti S, Bonsignore G, Ranzato E Int J Mol Sci. 2024; 25(21).

PMID: 39519281 PMC: 11547017. DOI: 10.3390/ijms252111724.

Correlation between Honey Parameters and Wound Healing Properties: The Case of Piedmont (Italy) Samples.

Martinotti S, Bonsignore G, Patrone M, Ranzato E Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2024; 26(2):302-311.

PMID: 39238381 DOI: 10.2174/0113892010328741240828093859.

References

Havsteen B . The biochemistry and medical significance of the flavonoids. Pharmacol Ther. 2002; 96(2-3):67-202. DOI: 10.1016/s0163-7258(02)00298-x. View

Pietta P, Gardana C, Pietta A . Analytical methods for quality control of propolis. Fitoterapia. 2002; 73 Suppl 1:S7-20. DOI: 10.1016/s0367-326x(02)00186-7. View

Mazzucco L, Medici D, Serra M, Panizza R, Rivara G, Orecchia S . The use of autologous platelet gel to treat difficult-to-heal wounds: a pilot study. Transfusion. 2004; 44(7):1013-8. DOI: 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2004.03366.x. View

Orsolic N, Knezevic A, Sver L, Terzic S, Basic I . Immunomodulatory and antimetastatic action of propolis and related polyphenolic compounds. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004; 94(2-3):307-15. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2004.06.006. View

Sforcin J, Orsi R, Bankova V . Effect of propolis, some isolated compounds and its source plant on antibody production. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005; 98(3):301-5. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2005.01.042. View

Boury-Jamot M, Sougrat R, Tailhardat M, Le Varlet B, Bonte F, Dumas M . Expression and function of aquaporins in human skin: Is aquaporin-3 just a glycerol transporter?. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2006; 1758(8):1034-42. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2006.06.013. View

Sforcin J . Propolis and the immune system: a review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007; 113(1):1-14. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.05.012. View

Hara-Chikuma M, Verkman A . Prevention of skin tumorigenesis and impairment of epidermal cell proliferation by targeted aquaporin-3 gene disruption. Mol Cell Biol. 2007; 28(1):326-32. PMC: 2223314. DOI: 10.1128/MCB.01482-07. View

Hara-Chikuma M, Verkman A . Aquaporin-3 facilitates epidermal cell migration and proliferation during wound healing. J Mol Med (Berl). 2007; 86(2):221-31. DOI: 10.1007/s00109-007-0272-4. View

10.

Hara-Chikuma M, Verkman A . Roles of aquaporin-3 in the epidermis. J Invest Dermatol. 2008; 128(9):2145-51. DOI: 10.1038/jid.2008.70. View

11.

Ranzato E, Patrone M, Mazzucco L, Burlando B . Platelet lysate stimulates wound repair of HaCaT keratinocytes. Br J Dermatol. 2008; 159(3):537-45. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08699.x. View

12.

Teixeira E, Message D, Negri G, Salatino A, Stringheta P . Seasonal variation, chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Brazilian propolis samples. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2008; 7(3):307-15. PMC: 2887324. DOI: 10.1093/ecam/nem177. View

13.

Boury-Jamot M, Daraspe J, Bonte F, Perrier E, Schnebert S, Dumas M . Skin aquaporins: function in hydration, wound healing, and skin epidermis homeostasis. Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2008; (190):205-17. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-79885-9_10. View

14.

Ranzato E, Mazzucco L, Patrone M, Burlando B . Platelet lysate promotes in vitro wound scratch closure of human dermal fibroblasts: different roles of cell calcium, P38, ERK and PI3K/AKT. J Cell Mol Med. 2009; 13(8B):2030-2038. PMC: 6512364. DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2008.00467.x. View

15.

Cipriani V, Ranzato E, Balbo V, Mazzucco L, Cavaletto M, Patrone M . Long-term effect of platelet lysate on primary fibroblasts highlighted with a proteomic approach. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2009; 3(7):531-8. DOI: 10.1002/term.195. View

16.

Ranzato E, Martinotti S, Burlando B . Wound healing properties of jojoba liquid wax: an in vitro study. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011; 134(2):443-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.12.042. View

17.

Verkman A . Aquaporins at a glance. J Cell Sci. 2011; 124(Pt 13):2107-12. DOI: 10.1242/jcs.079467. View

18.

Tsai Y, Wang Y, Liou C, Lin Y, Huang H, Liu Y . Induction of oxidative DNA damage by flavonoids of propolis: its mechanism and implication about antioxidant capacity. Chem Res Toxicol. 2011; 25(1):191-6. DOI: 10.1021/tx200418k. View

19.

Ramos I, Biz M, Paulino N, Scremin A, Della Bona A, Barletta F . Histopathological analysis of corticosteroid-antibiotic preparation and propolis paste formulation as intracanal medication after pulpectomy: an in vivo study. J Appl Oral Sci. 2012; 20(1):50-6. PMC: 3928772. DOI: 10.1590/s1678-77572012000100010. View

20.

Ranzato E, Martinotti S, Magnelli V, Murer B, Biffo S, Mutti L . Epigallocatechin-3-gallate induces mesothelioma cell death via H2 O2 -dependent T-type Ca2+ channel opening. J Cell Mol Med. 2012; 16(11):2667-78. PMC: 4118235. DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2012.01584.x. View