Cancer is a heterogeneous disease, two of whose characteristic features are uncontrollable cell proliferation and insufficient apoptosis. Various studies have investigated the antiproliferative effects of propolis, a natural bee product, from different countries, and its cytotoxic effects have been attributed to its polyphenol contents. The purpose of this study was to show the cytotoxic effects, and possible mechanisms involved, of ethanolic extract of Turkish propolis (EEP) on the human lung cancer (A549) cell line. Cytotoxic activity of EEP on A549 cells was revealed using the MTT assay. Mechanisms involved in the cytotoxic action of EEP on A549 cells were then investigated in terms of apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential and cell cycle using flow cytometry, endoplasmic reticulum stress using RT-PCR, and caspase activity using luminometric analysis. EEP exhibited selective toxicity against A549 cells compared to normal fibroblast cells. We determined that EEP arrested the cell cycle of A549 cells at the G1 phase, induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, caspase activity, and apoptosis and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. These results indicate that Turkish propolis is capable of reducing cancer cell proliferation and may have a promising role to play in the development of new anticancer drugs in the future.

L. belongs to the family and is frequently used in traditional medicine. Numerous studies have investigated the antiproliferative effects of various extracts of different species, but studies involving the cytotoxic effect of extract are very limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of dimethyl sulfoxide extract of (DEM) and to investigate, for the first time, the probable cytotoxic effect in human prostate adenocarcinoma (PC-3) cells together with the mechanism involved. Total polyphenolic contents (TPC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and phenolic compounds of DEM were evaluated using spectrophotometric procedures and HPLC. The cytotoxic effect of DEM on PC-3 cells was revealed using the MTT assay. Mechanisms involved in the cytotoxic effect of DEM on PC-3 cells were then investigated in terms of apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential and cell cycle using flow cytometry, while caspase activity was investigated using luminometric analysis. TPC and FRAP values were 20.7 ± 0.3 mg gallic acid equivalents and 48.8 ± 1.6 mg trolox equivalents per g sample, respectively. Ascorbic acid and chlorogenic acid were the major phenolic compounds detected at HPLC analysis. DEM arrested the cell cycle of PC-3 cells at the G phase, induced apoptosis via increased caspase activity and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. Our results indicate that may be a novel candidate for the development of new natural product based therapeutic agents against prostate cancer.

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Purpose: To investigate the total polyphenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant power and cytotoxic activity of ethanol extracts of Turkish propolis (EEP). Methods:The total polyphenolic and flavonoid contents of EEP were determined by spectrometric methods. Antioxidant power and cytotoxic activity of EEP were evaluated using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)

We conclude that our results are important for CH screening regarding time-dependent changes of TSH and thyroid hormones besides diagnosis of thyroid hypoplasia or hyperplasia.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of Turkish propolis extracts if they prevent or protect foreskin fibroblast cells against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative DNA damage. Hydrogen peroxide (40 μM) was used as an inducer of oxidative DNA damage. The damage of DNA was evaluated by using the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay. Turkish propolis extracts at concentrations of 25, 50, 75 and 100 μg/ml were prepared by ethanol. Anti-genotoxicity was assessed before, simultaneously, and after treatment of propolis extract (50 μg/ml) with H₂O₂. The results showed a significant decrease in H₂O₂-induced DNA damage in cultures treated with propolis extract. The antioxidant activity of phenolic components found in propolis may contribute to reduce the DNA damage induced by H₂O₂. Our findings confirmed the chemopreventive activity of propolis and showed that this effect may occur under different mechanisms.

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