Polish Propolis—Chemical Composition and Biological Effects in Tongue Cancer Cells and Macrophages

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the chemical composition and biological properties of Polish propolis. Ethanol, ethanol-hexane, hexane and hexane-ethanol extracts of propolis from three different regions of Poland were prepared. On the basis of the evaluation of their chemical composition as well as the extraction yield and free radical scavenging activity, the ethanol and hexane-ethanol extractions were proposed as the most effective methods. Subsequently, the biological properties of the extracts were evaluated to investigate the selectivity of an anticancer effect on tongue cancer cells in comparison to normal gingival fibroblasts. The obtained products demonstrated anticancer activity against tongue cancer cells. Additionally, when the lowest extract concentration (100 µg/mL) was applied, they were not cytotoxic to gingival fibroblasts. Finally, a possible anti-inflammatory potential of the prepared products was revealed, as reduced mitochondrial activity and proliferation of macrophages exposed to the extracts were observed. The results obtained indicate a potential of Polish propolis as a natural product with cancer-selective toxicity and anti-inflammatory effect. However, further studies are still needed to thoroughly explain the molecular mechanisms of its action and to obtain the promising health benefits of this versatile natural product.

Extracts of Poplar Buds (Populus balsamifera L., Populus nigra L.) and Lithuanian Propolis: Comparison of Their Composition and Biological Activities

“…In Algerian black poplar buds, the total amount of flavonoids in ethanolic extract reaches about 13.65 mg quercetin eq/g [32], and researchers found that Polish propolis has a total flavonoid content of 18.76 mg quercetin eq/g [33]. In Lithuanian black poplar buds' extract, we found higher amounts of flavonoids compared to Algerian researchers, around 24.76 mg rutin eq/g, and similar amounts of flavonoids in propolis extract compared to Polish propolis extract [32,33]. Other authors found similar amounts of flavonoids in black poplar buds [34], but no data were found on the total amount of flavonoids in balsamic poplar buds.…”

Biomedical Properties of Propolis on Diverse Chronic Diseases and Its Potential Applications and Health Benefits

“…Affects cell viability and cellular proliferation; presents cancer-selective antiproliferative activity. [162] Portugal (Northeast and Centre)…”

“…[172] In Europe, research has also been undertaken on the antitumor effects of propolis. In 2020, Wezgowiec and collaborators reported that propolis from Poland possesses antitumor activity against tongue cancer cells (human squamous cell carcinoma derived from tongue, SCC-25), at concentrations of 100, 500, and 1000 µg/mL, affecting cell viability and cellular proliferation after 24 h incubation, but does not have an effect on gingival fibroblasts, indicating the potential of Polish propolis as a natural product with cancer-selective antiproliferative activity [162]. Similarly, research has examined the antitumor effect of propolis from northeastern and central Portugal (0-100 µg/mL) on normal and cancerous renal cells derived from human renal cell carcinoma patients, and in the A-498 (Human renal epithelial cancer) cell line.…”

Effect of the Solvent on Propolis Phenolic Profile and its Antifungal, Antioxidant, and In Vitro Cytoprotective Activity in Human Erythrocytes Under Oxidative Stress

“…Over the past few years, the biological activities of Polish propolis were studied intensively, and its chemopreventive, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiproliferative, and antifungal activity was observed [ 4 , 5 , 8 , 9 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Moreover, propolis collected from an apiary located in the central–western part of Poland effectively protected human red blood cells (RBC) in vitro against 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative hemolysis [ 19 , 34 ].…”