Katrina Brudzynski

Tel. (905) 685-6812
E-mail: beebio@sympatico.ca

Drug discovery and development of therapies for prevention and treatment of human diseases.

Goal:

My research interest is aimed at pharmacologically active small molecules that naturally occur in beehive substances and present potential to be clinically useful in prevention and treatment of human diseases. Current studies are focusing on two target diseases: cancer and diabetes as well as on the regeneration process.Methods:Chemical Approach: Bioassay-guided fractionations; chemical identification of molecules using HPLC, LC/MS, MS/MS; chemical synthesis of molecules of interest.Biochemical/Molecular Biological Approach: Biological activity analyses in in vitro systems using cell lines (breast cancer cell lines, pancreatic insulin-secreting beta cell lines, stem cells) and in in vivo systems such as mice with transplantable tumors, diabetic mice and newt limb regeneration model.

Recent results:

In collaboration with members of Department of Chemistry, we have isolated and chemically synthesized a compound from propolis extracts, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) (Brudzynski et al, 2005). CAPE showed potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, CAPE exhibited selective cytotoxicity toward undifferentiated cells such as breast cancer cells; MCF-7 and MDA-MB-435 (Brudzynski et al, 2005), and against progenitor/stem cells of regenerating limb (Brudzynski and Carlone, 2004).

In collaboration with Dr. R. Carlone, we have demonstrated that CAPE transiently delayed reconstruction of missing limb by blocking cellular dedifferentiation and formation of progenitor cells (Brudzynski and Carlone, 2004).

Our studies on the influence of dietary propolis extract (containing naturally occurring CAPE) on diabetic mice showed a protective, anti-inflammatory effect on insulin-secreting beta cells. It also caused hypoglycemia (Brudzynski and Brudzynski, 2005).

The molecular mechanism underlying the pleiotropic action of CAPE (its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cell- growth inhibiting properties) has to be elucidated before CAPE can be considered a drug candidate.
Based on the data obtained by us and other researchers, we have proposed a unifying concept of CAPE action.

I am also a founder and President/Scientist of Bee-Biomedicals Inc. - a small biopharmaceutical company involved in manufacturing of anti-viral, anti-inflammatory topical skin therapies based on the bioactive compounds of honey and propolis.

Recent publications

Brudzynski K, Carlone R, 2004. Stage-dependent modulation of limb regeneration by caffeic acid phnethyl ester (CAPE): Immunocytochemical evidence of a CAPE-evoked delay in mesenchymal formation and limb regeneration. J Exp Zool 301A:389-400

Brudzynski K, Jones T, McNulty J., 2005.Anti-cancer small molecule-caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE): Isolation, fractionation and identification of CAPE in propolis extract. Abstract, CFBS 48th Annual Meeting, June 21-24, Guelph, ON

Brudzynski K and Brudzynski S, 2005. Hypoglycemic effect of dietary propolis on diabetic and non-diabetic mice. Abstract, CFBS 48th Annual Meeting, June 21-24, Guelph, ON

Brudzynski K, 2005: A unifying concept of CAPE pleiotropic action (manuscript in preparation).

Courses offered:

Biol 1F90- Concepts in Biology
Biol 1F25 (selected lectures) - Biology: A human perspective

Continuing Education, Brock University:

“To Bee or Not to Bee”- general course on therapeutic properties of honey and propolis

Recent invited presentations:

-Seminar- “Beehive substances as a new opportunity for drug discovery and development”. Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, January 13, 2005

-Seminar- “Canadian Therapeutic Honey”- Annual Convention of Ontario Beekeepers Association, December 3-4, Kingston, Ontario

-Seminar- “Therapeutic properties of propolis”-Annual Convention of Ontario Beekeepers Association, December 3-4, Kingston, Ontario