Biomed Pharmacother. 2017 Jul;91:951-963. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.05.027. Epub 2017 May 13.

Antitumor activity of Brazilian red propolis fractions against Hep-2 cancer cell line.

Frozza CODS1, Santos DA1, Rufatto LC2, Minetto L2, Scariot FJ3, Echeverrigaray S4, Pich CT5, Moura S2, Padilha FF6, Borsuk S6, Savegnago L6, Collares T7, Seixas FK7, Dellagostin O6, Roesch-Ely M1, Henriques JAP8.

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Abstract

Continuous increases in the rates of tumor diseases have highlighted the need for identification of novel and inexpensive antitumor agents from natural sources. In this study, we investigated the effects of enriched fraction from hydroalcoholic Brazilian red propolis extract against Hep-2 cancer cell line. Initially 201 fractions were arranged in 12 groups according to their chromatographic characteristics (A-L). After an in vitro cell viability screening, J and L were further selected as promising enriched fractions for this study. The chemical characterization was performed and Biochanin A, Formononetin, and Liquiritigenin compounds were quantified. Through MTT viability assay and morphological changes observed by Giemsa and DAPI staining, the results showed that red propolis inhibited cancer cells growth. Flow cytometry results indicated effects that were partly mediated through programmed cell death as confirmed by externalization of phosphatidylserine, DNA cleaved assay, increase at SUB G1-G0 phase in cell cycle analysis and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that red propolis enriched fractions promoted apoptotic effects in human cancer cells through the mechanisms involving mitochondrial perturbation. Therefore, red propolis fractions contain candidate agents for adjuvant cancer treatment, which further studies should elucidate the comprehensive mechanistic pathways.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

PMID: 28514834 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.05.027

 

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