Detoxification effects of aloe polysaccharide and propolis on the urinary excretion of metabolites in smokers.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the detoxifying effects of aloe polysaccharide (APS), propolis, and the mixture of APS and propolis on the urinary excretion of major human tobacco carcinogens, BaP and an addictive stimulant alkaloid, nicotine. Smokers (≥20 cigarettes/day) were randomly classified into four subgroups (10 people/group) and were given 600 mg/day of APS, 600 mg/day of propolis, or 600 mg/day of the mixture of APS (420 mg/day) and propolis (180 mg/day) for four weeks. Urinary excretion of BaP and cotinine (a metabolite of nicotine) increased in a time-dependent manner increased after supplementation with APS (BaP, 2.23-fold; cotinine, 2.64-fold), propolis (BaP, 1.30-fold; cotinine, 2.08-fold), and the mixture (BaP, 2.33-fold; cotinine, 2.28-fold) compared with smoker control. Creatinine, glucose, and total bilirubin levels significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner after supplementation with APS (creatinine, 15.24%; glucose, 40.22%; total bilirubin, 48.82%), propolis (creatinine, 16.83%; glucose, 36.25%; total bilirubin, 52.59%), and the mixture (creatinine, 16.36%; glucose, 46.37%; total bilirubin, 39.20%) (p < 0.05). These results suggest that supplementation with APS, propolis, or the mixture could reduce the risk of cancer or other diseases associated with tobacco smoking by enhancing urinary excretion of BaP and nicotine.