Brazilian red propolis: phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity and effect against cancer cells

Abstract

BackgroundThe implementation of new public healthcare models that stimulate the use of natural products from traditional medicine, as a so-called integrated medicine, refers to an approach that use best of both conventional medicine and traditional medicine. Propolis is a widely used natural product by different ancient cultures and known to exhibit biological activities beneficial for health. The large number of studies conducted with propolis had shown that its chemical composition differs as a function of the climate, plant diversity and bee species and plays an important role on its therapeutic properties. The aim of this study was to analyse the phytochemical profile of the ethanolic extract of red propolis (EEP) and its fractionation, antioxidant action of EEP and its fractions hexane, cloroform and ethyl acetate and cytotoxic activity of EEP on human tumour cell lines SF-295 (glioblastoma), OVCAR-8 (ovary) and HCT-116 (colon).MethodsEEP was obtained by maceration with absolute ethanol, then it was concentrated in rotaevaporator up to complete evaporation of the solvent. The crude extract was fractionated with hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform and methanol and they were subjected to phytochemical screening and total phenolic compounds. Antioxidant activity of EEP and fractions was done by means of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Biomarkers of red propolis were identified by LC-Orbitrap-FTMS. To assess cytotoxic activity of the extract, cells were exposed to EEP over 72 h. Cell viability was assessed by means of MTT assay. The percentage of cell growth inhibition (IC50) was analysed by means of non-linear regression, and the absorbance values of the various investigated concentrations were subjected to one-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s or Tamhane’s tests (α = 0.05).ResultsThe results obtained using phytochemical screening and LC-Orbitrap-FTMS indicated the presence of phlobaphene tannins, catechins, chalcones, aurones, flavonones, flavonols, xanthones, pentacyclic triterpenoids and guttiferones in Brazilian red propolis. EEP and its hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions obtained by liquid-liquid partitioning exhibited satisfactory antioxidant percentages. EEP (IC50 < 34.27 μg/mL) exhibited high levels of cytotoxicity on all human tumour cell lines tested when compared to negative control.ConclusionsC-Orbitrap-FTMS was useful to establish the chemical profile of the red propolis. Brazilian red propolis has antioxidant properties and decreases substantially the percentage of cell survival of human tumour cells; thus, it has potential to serve as an anticancer drug.

Comparative Analysis of the Antibacterial Activity and HPLC Phytochemical Screening of the Brazilian Red Propolis and the Resin of Dalbergia ecastaphyllum

“…However, p ‐coumaric acid was only detected in samples from DER. This phenolic acid, which is not present in our sample collected in Alagoas, along with it caffeic acid, quercetin and luteolin were previously reported in other samples of red propolis from Alagoas and Pernambuco . Chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid and apigenin were also reported in red propolis from Pernambuco .…”

Isoflavonoids from Brazilian red propolis down‐regulate the expression of cancer‐related target proteins: A pharmacogenomic analysis

“…The cytotoxic effects of BRP crude extract are supported by other authors in several types of cancer cells such as cervical (IC 50 of 7.45 μg/ml; Alencar et al, 2007); glioblastoma (IC 50 of 34.27 μg/ml); ovary (IC 50 of 28.76 μg/ml); colon (IC 50 of 25.26 μg/ml; de Mendonça et al, 2015); and pancreas (IC 50 of 10 μg/mL; Awale et al, 2008).…”

“…The cytotoxic effects of BRP crude extract are supported by other authors in several types of cancer cells such as cervical (IC 50 of 7.45 μg/ml; Alencar et al, ); glioblastoma (IC 50 of 34.27 μg/ml); ovary (IC 50 of 28.76 μg/ml); colon (IC 50 of 25.26 μg/ml; de Mendonça et al, ); and pancreas (IC 50 of 10 μg/mL; Awale et al, ). Vestitol was also tested, being effective at 50 μM against human pancreatic cancer cells by eliminating this cell tolerance against nutrient starvation (Awale et al, ), and showed selective cytotoxicity on leukaemia cells (IC 50 from 2 to 7 μM; Shults et al, ).…”

Biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Brazilian propolis

“…The extract was produced by maceration based on literature. 27 To this end, 50 g of propolis had coarsely ground, 200 mL of ethyl alcohol (80 GL) was added via absolute ethyl alcohol, and dropped for 48 hr under resting and light polishing, repeating the process three times. The extracted liquid was concentrated in an evaporator route IKA ® RV10 to 50 C and resuspended in a concentration of 2.5 × 10 4 μgÁmL −1.14…”