Use of Stingless Bee Propolis and Geopropolis against Cancer—A Literature Review of Preclinical Studies

Abstract

Cancer is one of the major maladies affecting humankind and remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The investigation of the biological activities of stingless bee products, especially propolis and geopropolis, has revealed promising therapeutic properties, especially in the research on new antineoplastic agents. This literature review of preclinical trials, involving biological assays of antitumor activity and identification of the chemical composition of propolis and geopropolis of stingless bee species, describes the cytotoxicity in tumor lineages (breast, lung, ovarian, liver, mouth, pharynx, larynx, colon, stomach, colorectal, cervix, kidney, prostate, melanoma, human glioblastoma, canine osteosarcoma, erythroleukemia, human chronic myelocytic leukemia, and human promyelocytic leukemia) of propolis and geopropolis of 33 species of stingless bees. The chemical composition of propolis and geopropolis was identified, indicating that these belong to the chemical classes of phenolic acids, flavonoids, coumarins, benzophenones, anthraquinones, alkaloids, terpenes, steroids, saponins, fatty acids, and carbohydrates and are possibly responsible for the cytotoxicity in tumor cells. Apoptosis was one of the main mechanisms of cytotoxicity of extracts and substances isolated from stingless bee products. Although the results found are encouraging, other preclinical studies and clinical trials are essential for the discovery of new anticancer agents.

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Propolis and Its Polyphenolic Compounds against Cancer

“…Apoptotic death is required for various physiological processes, such as the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and development. Chemopreventive compounds, including propolis, phenylethyl isothiocyanate, sulforaphane, EGCG, curcumin, apigenin, quercetin, and resveratrol, have been confirmed to induce apoptosis [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 13 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 191 , 192 , 193 , 194 , 195 ]. Moreover, experimental data indicate a direct relationship between glutathione levels in tumor cells, cytotoxicity, and apoptotic death [ 13 , 75 , 129 ].…”

A review of stingless bees' bioactivity in different parts of the world

“…Additionally, the expression of genes such as CDA1, IPC1-PKC1 , and LAC1 that are implicated in the cryptococcal melanization pathway was reduced by propolis treatment [ 26 ]. The propolis obtained from stingless bees in Vietnam exhibit various biological functions such as anticancer and antimicrobial activities [ 28 – 33 ].…”

Geopropolis: taxonomic dependence and compositional drawbacks

“…5 Meliponine propolis has been shown to exert a diversity of biological properties, 6 including antitumor activity. 7 There is a high diversity of meliponines in tropical habitats, with the number of species in the New World reaching nearly 400. They are relevant pollinators of native plants and crops.…”

“…They are relevant pollinators of native plants and crops. 7 Main meliponine genera in Brazilian biomes are Melipona, Scaptotrigona and Tetragonisca. Comparing with honey bees, the productivity of meliponines is considerably low.…”