Chemical characterization, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Brazilian red propolis

Caroline Olivieri da Silva Frozza a, Charlene Silvestrin Celi Garcia a, Gabriela Gambato a,

Marcia Denize Oliveira de Souza b, Mirian Salvador b, Sidnei Moura c, Francine Ferreira Padilha d, Fabiana Kömmling Seixas e, Tiago Collares e, Sibele Borsuk e, Odir Antonio Dellagostin e,

João Antonio Pêgas Henriques a, Mariana Roesch-Ely a,

Institutions

a Laboratory of Genomics, Proteomics and DNA Repair, University of Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil

b Laboratory of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants, University of Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil

c Laboratory of Essential Oils, University of Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil

d Program on Health and Environment, Tiradentes University, Aracaju, SE, Brazil

e Biotechnology Unit, Center for Technology Development, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil

Abstract

Propolis is known for a long time for its health benefits and biological activities. Here, the red variety from the northeast of Brazil was chemically analyzed and extracts were investigated regarding their antioxi- dant and antitumor activity. Hydroalcoholic extracts, obtained from the red propolis, revealed polyphenol content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging potential and enzymatic activities for catalase-like and superoxide dismutase-like. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated for human laryngeal epidermoid carci- noma cell (Hep-2), human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) and human normal epithelial embryonic kid- ney (Hek-293). Survival analysis for non-tumor cell line showed greater IC50 compared to tumor cell lines, suggesting an increased sensitivity that may correlate with the higher proliferative index of the tumor vs. normal cells. Our results indicate that the Brazilian red propolis is capable of inhibiting cancer cell growth and constitutes an excellent source of antioxidant and antitumor natural agent.

 

 

* THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.