Chemical Composition Analysis and In Vitro Investigation of Cytotoxic and Antioxidative Activities of Iranian Propolis against Breast Cancer Cell Line, MCF‐7

Abstract

Propolis is a natural resinous mixture found in beehives. It has pharmacological and biology properties, which are related to its chemical composition. In the current study, the chemical composition of ethanolic extract of Iranian propolis (EEIP) was determined through high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The radical scavenging activity of EEIP was evaluated through 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS) along with ferric reducing ability power (FRAP) assay. In addition, the cytotoxic effects and intracellular capacity for reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of EEIP and individual components were evaluated on human breast cancer cell line, MCF‐7. Also, effects of EEIP on cell viability was measured on fibroblast as a normal cell line. The obtained results revealed high contents of total phenolics and flavonoids in the EEIP extracts. The bioactive compounds that were identified in the EEIP extracts included caffeic acid, quercetin, chrysin, galangin, and pinobanksin. The EEIP and polyphenols were cytotoxic for MCF‐7 cells and significantly tended to increase intracellular ROS production in a dose dependent manner. In contrast, EEIP had no cytotoxic effect on fibroblast cells. Taken together, we suggest that the synergistic effect of the main components of propolis is related to increase of ROS and inhibition of MCF‐7 cell proliferation.

Iranian propolis efficiently inhibits growth of oral streptococci and cancer cell lines

“…Results shown that the levels of ROS increased significantly in MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner compared with the control group. The observed results of ROS evaluation were accordance with cytotoxic activity on MCF-7 cells [40].…”

The Potential Use of Propolis as an Adjunctive Therapy in Breast Cancers

“…Furthermore, propolis downregulates the inflammatory TLR4 signaling pathway molecules such as TLR4, MyD88, IRAK4, TRIF, and NF-κB p65. 42 This study reported contradictory results compared to studies by Asgharpour et al 45 and Xuan et al 31 where propolis was shown to promote inflammatory and oxidative stresses on the cancer cells whereby apoptosis was consequently induced. This suggests propolis may act differentially depending upon types of cancer and probably their stages .…”

“…In addition, propolis induces apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells by upregulating the expression of Annexin A7 ( ANXA7 ), reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and NF- κ B p65 level, while simultaneously reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential. 31 , 45 More importantly, these studies demonstrate that propolis extracts have little cytotoxicity on normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and normal fibroblast cells. 31 , 45 …”

“… 31 , 45 More importantly, these studies demonstrate that propolis extracts have little cytotoxicity on normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and normal fibroblast cells. 31 , 45 …”

“…In addition, propolis induces apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells by upregulating the expression of Annexin A7 (ANXA7), reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and NF-κB p65 level, while simultaneously reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential. 31,45 More importantly, these studies demonstrate that propolis extracts have little cytotoxicity on normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and normal fibroblast cells. 31,45 In addition, Chang et al demonstrated that propolis inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated MDA-MB-231 cell by inducing apoptosis through the upregulation of caspase 3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP).…”