Cytotoxic constituents of propolis inducing anticancer effects: a review

Abstract

Objectives Propolis is a honeybee product used extensively in traditional medicine for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anticancer effects. Propolis exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities because it is a complex mixture of natural substances. In this review, the antitumour effects of propolis extracts and its constituents (e.g. flavonoids, terpenes and caffeic acid phenethyl ester) are discussed. Key findings The effect of propolis on experimental carcinogenesis is discussed, as well as its possible mechanisms of action against tumours, involving apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and interference on metabolic pathways. Propolis seems to be efficient against different tumour cells both in vitro and in vivo, which suggests its potential in the development of new anticancer drugs. Summary Propolis extracts may be important economically and would allow a relatively inexpensive cancer treatment. Preclinical investigations are needed to further elucidate the benefits of propolis and its antitumour properties.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of beebread, and its influence on the glioblastoma cell line (U87MG)

“…Effects of other apicultural products, especially, propolis and its compounds (e.g. CAPE, chrysin, propolin G), on the viability of glioma cell lines, was presented in a few publications (Guarini et al, 1992;Huang et al, 2007;Borges et al, 2011;Huang et al, 2011;Watanabe et al, 2011). We have found a time-dependent (from 24 to 72 h) decrement in a viability of U87MG cells treated each of EBB (Fig.…”

Antioxidant Properties and Protective Effect of Turkish Propolis on t-BHP-Induced Oxidative Stress in Foreskin Fibroblast Cells

“…1,24,25 Also in our study, we used total propolis extract instead of isolating one of the flavonoids included in the propolis. Biological activity of propolis mainly ascribed to its content of flavonoids and various phenolic compounds.…”

“…It is known that ethanolic propolis extracts are one of the richest sources of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. 24 In this study, the ethanolic extract of Turkish propolis was prepared by the maceration methods. 28 Various in vitro assay can be used to determine antioxidant activity of natural product extracts.…”

A Comparative Study on Propolis and Pollen Extracts: Chemical Profile Analysis, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity

“…Its possible mechanisms of action against tumours, involving apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and interference on metabolic pathways (Watanabe et al, 2011). Also polyphenols of pollen have been reported to be responsible for their antioxidant activity (Ohta et al, 2007).…”

“…The main compounds responsible for the anti-tumor activity of propolis include flavonoids, terpenes and caffeic acid phenethyl ester, and this activity could be attributed to synergism between the substances present in the resin (Valente et al, 2011;Watanabe et al, 2011). Its possible mechanisms of action against tumours, involving apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and interference on metabolic pathways (Watanabe et al, 2011).…”