Cytotoxic Activity of Six Samples of Brazilian Propolis on Sea Urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) Eggs

Abstract

The cytotoxic activities of extracts of four samples of propolis from the state of Minas Gerais (Southeast Brazil) and two from the state of Paraná (South Brazil) were evaluated using sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) eggs. Cytotoxic activity was observed, characterized mainly by the inhibition of the first cleavage of newly fertilized eggs. Methanol extracts at 32 µg mL−1 of all samples were highly active (97–100%). Extracts were also prepared by successive treatments of the samples with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol. High activity was observed using the ethyl acetate fractions of all samples, but hexane and chloroform fractions of some samples also had high activity. Based on the chemical composition of the extracts and fractions (published previously), it is hypothesized that the cytotoxic activities observed are due mainly to artepillin C, p-coumaric acid, and kaempferide. The results suggest that caffeoylquinic acids have no cytotoxic activity in sea urchin eggs.

Recent Advances in the Chemical Composition of Propolis

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“…This procedure was used according to the methodology described by other authors. [28][29][30][31] Passiflora mollissima is an exotic fruit native to South America. According to Garcia-Ruiz et al A total of 18 flavonoid compounds, nine proanthocyanidins, and nine flavan-3-ol monomers were identified and quantified.…”

“…The flask in which fertilization took place then became the control group to which no agent was added. 29 The vial was left in a Zhicheng SZD-1090 incubator at a constant temperature of 15.3°C. BELNET microscope confirmed the fertilization of the sea urchin eggs, the procedure was continued by adding 1 mL of filtered seawater and 3 mL of seawater containing the fertilized ovules to each of the nine flasks.…”