16S rRNA Gene Sequencing Analysis and Caspase-3 Expression by Propolis Ameliorated Oxaliplatin-Induced Toxicity in Female Rattus norvegicus Pre- and During Pregnancy.

Propolis, a natural resinous substance collected by honeybees from plant exudates, has gained considerable attention as a promising complementary therapeutic agent owing to its broad-spectrum pharmacological activities. Oxaliplatin (OXA), a platinum analogue, is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents commonly used in chemotherapy for colorectal malignancies. Previous investigations have confirmed that OXA has a severe hazardous effect on pregnant mothers and their progeny. Propolis extract has been suggested to confer potent antioxidant and free radical-scavenging abilities in several diseased conditions. This experimental study aimed to investigate propolis as a protective natural antioxidant that ameliorates OXA-induced genetic changes in pregnant females and their neonates. A total of 35 adult female albino rats were randomly assigned to seven equal groups (n = 5). The pre-pregnancy experimental groups (groups 2, 3, and 4) were exposed to either OXA or a combination of OXA and PRO for 21 days prior to conception. During pregnancy, experimental groups 5, 6, and 7 received identical treatment protocols and equivalent doses during gestation for the same duration (21 days). OXA was injected intravenously at 3 mg/kg body weight three times per week, whereas the propolis-treated groups were orally administered 200 mg/kg body weight/day. At the end of the supplementation period, following parturition, both mothers and their neonates in each group were euthanized, the kidneys were immediately excised, and DNA was extracted from maternal kidney tissues. The mitochondrial 16 S rRNA gene was used to clarify the differences between different treatment groups. In addition, the immunohistochemical activity in the hepatorenal and splenic tissues was evaluated for caspase-3 protein expression. The results confirmed a marked reduction in genetic variation in the mitochondrial 16 S rRNA sequences in pregnant rats with concomitant administration of propolis and OXA. Moreover, the potential ameliorating effect of propolis evidently suppressed caspase-3 protein immune reactivity compared to the OXA-treated group. Based on previous findings, it can be concluded that propolis extract has a mitigating effect on OXA-induced genetic alterations in pregnant females and their neonates.