In Vitro Evaluation of Cytotoxic Activity of Algerian propolis against Human Breast Adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) Cells and Investigation of its Potential Mechanism of Action

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is a major cause of death in women worldwide. Propolis antitumor activity has become the subject of growing research. Algerian propolis is being studied for its antitumor activity on several cell lines. However, little is known about its cytotoxic activity on the human breast adenocarcinoma cell line. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effect of Algerian propolis on human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MDA-MB-231) and explain its mechanism of action. Methods: Cytotoxic activity was evaluated using MTT assay, and mechanisms involved in the cytotoxic activity were also investigated. In addition, the chemical profile was analyzed by the determination of TP and TF contents. Results: TP and TF of the tested propolis varied between 1.36±0.15 and 97.85±2.98 GAE μg/mg for TP and 0.08±0.10 and 33.22±1,17QE μg/mg for TF. Propolis treatment of MD-MB-231 cells for 24 hours was found to suppress the growth of the tested cell line in a dose-dependent manner. The tested propolis probably induces an intrinsic pathway of apoptosis through caspase cascade and activation of pro-apoptotic proteins: BAX, p53, and p21. In addition, cell proliferation was found to be inhibited by the diminution of CYCLIN2 and CDK4 activities associated with the increase in P21 acting as a protein inhibitor. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that Algerian propolis could be used as a complementary treatment for breast cancer. Our propolis suppresses the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation.