Brazilian red propolis reportedly has reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging effects in vitro, but the cellular mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of an ethanol extract of Brazilian red propolis (EERP) on the Nrf2-ARE intracellular antioxidant pathway were examined in vitro and in vivo. EERP and its constituents transactivated the reporter gene through the ARE sequence and enhanced the expression of Nrf2-regulated genes in HEK293 cells. It also increased Nrf2 protein in the nucleus, which was partially inhibited by kinase inhibitors. Furthermore, EERP suppressed ROS generation and cytotoxicity induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. In vivo, orally administered EERP increased the expression of Nrf2-regulated genes in mice liver. These results suggest that EERP is a potential resource for preventing oxidative stress-related diseases as an Nrf2 inducer.

据报道巴西红蜂胶在体外具有清除活性氧（ROS）的作用，但细胞机制尚不清楚。在本研究中，体外和体内检查了巴西红蜂胶（EERP）乙醇提取物对Nrf2-ARE细胞内抗氧化剂途径的影响。EERP及其成分通过ARE序列使报告基因反式激活，并增强了HEK293细胞中Nrf2调控基因的表达。它还增加了细胞核中的Nrf2蛋白，该蛋白被激酶抑制剂部分抑制。此外，EERP抑制了叔丁基氢过氧化物诱导的ROS生成和细胞毒性。体内口服EERP可增加Nrf2调节基因在小鼠肝脏中的表达。这些结果表明，EERP作为Nrf2诱导剂是预防氧化应激相关疾病的潜在资源。