Portuguese propolis disturbs glycolytic metabolism of human colorectal cancer in vitro

Abstract

BackgroundPropolis is a resin collected by bees from plant buds and exudates, which is further processed through the activity of bee enzymes. Propolis has been shown to possess many biological and pharmacological properties, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunostimulant and antitumor activities. Due to this bioactivity profile, this resin can become an alternative, economic and safe source of natural bioactive compounds.Antitumor action has been reported in vitro and in vivo for propolis extracts or its isolated compounds; however, Portuguese propolis has been little explored. The aim of this work was to evaluate the in vitro antitumor activity of Portuguese propolis on the human colon carcinoma cell line HCT-15, assessing the effect of different fractions (hexane, chloroform and ethanol residual) of a propolis ethanol extract on cell viability, proliferation, metabolism and death.MethodsPropolis from Angra do Heroísmo (Azores) was extracted with ethanol and sequentially fractionated in solvents with increasing polarity, n-hexane and chloroform. To assess cell viability, cell proliferation and cell death, Sulforhodamine B, BrDU incorporation assay and Anexin V/Propidium iodide were used, respectively. Glycolytic metabolism was estimated using specific kits.ResultsAll propolis samples exhibited a cytotoxic effect against tumor cells, in a dose- and time-dependent way. Chloroform fraction, the most enriched in phenolic compounds, appears to be the most active, both in terms of inhibition of viability and cell death. Data also show that this cytotoxicity involves disturbance in tumor cell glycolytic metabolism, seen by a decrease in glucose consumption and lactate production.ConclusionOur results show that Portuguese propolis from Angra do Heroísmo (Azores) can be a potential therapeutic agent against human colorectal cancer.

Monocarboxylate transporter 1 is a key player in glioma‐endothelial cell crosstalk

“…Upregulation of the MCT1 and MCT4 isoforms has been described in various malignancies, being previously been explored as targets in cancer therapy . Although only a small number of studies have investigated the role of MCT expression in brain tumors, the studies universally support the importance of MCTs, particularly MCT1 in these tumors . Our group reported that MCT1 is the most prevalent MCT isoform expressed in the plasma membrane of GBM cells and that its expression is upregulated in regions of hypoxia .…”

Antitumoural activity of Brazilian red propolis fraction enriched with xanthochymol and formononetin: An in vitro and in vivo study

“…The majority of patients will succumb to the disease. Consequently, the medical application of propolis in cancer therapy could improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy (Frozza et al, 2013;Lin et al, 2013;Valença et al, 2013). Studies of various tumour cell lines have pointed to BRP and its derivatives as potential components of cancer treatment Frozza et al, 2013;Kamiya et al, 2012).…”

“…Propolis and its isolated constituents are suggested to serve as in vitro and in vivo antitumoural and immunomodulatory agents (Frozza et al, 2013;Orsolić , Saranović , & Basić , 2006;Orsolić , Terzić , Mihaljević , Sver, & Basić , 2005;Valença et al, 2013). In fact, propolis has cancer-preventive and antitumour properties through mechanisms that include cell-cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and tumour growth Cuesta-Rubio, Frontana-Uribe, Ramirez-Apan, & Cardenas, 2002;Frozza et al, 2013;Kamiya, Nishihara, Hara, & Adachi, 2012;Valença et al, 2013).…”

“…In fact, propolis has cancer-preventive and antitumour properties through mechanisms that include cell-cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and tumour growth Cuesta-Rubio, Frontana-Uribe, Ramirez-Apan, & Cardenas, 2002;Frozza et al, 2013;Kamiya, Nishihara, Hara, & Adachi, 2012;Valença et al, 2013). However, the chemical composition of propolis depends on various factors, such as its botanical origin and collection time, among others (Bankova, 2005;Marcucci, 1995).…”

Different propolis samples, phenolic content, and breast cancer cell lines: Variable cytotoxicity ranging from ineffective to potent

“…Recently, in vitro cell culture studies on the cytotoxic effects of propolis extracts from different regions have shown noteworthy findings (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22). In this context, the anticarcinogenic effects of propolis originated from diverse geographies were studied on breast cancer cell lines (BCCLs) (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29).…”