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

Joanna Wezgowiec,Jolanta Saczko,Kazimiera A Wilk,Mieszko Wieckiewicz,Anna Wieczynska,Natalia Pachura,Roman Gancarz,Julita Kulbacka,Wlodzimierz Wieckiewicz

doi:10.3390/molecules25102426

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.

Highlights

Nature, as an immemorial source of diverse active molecules, continues to serve as a major inspiration for drug development
The extraction yield values of the ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP) were higher than the hexane extracts of propolis (HEP) and the highest values of extraction yield were obtained for propolis from
The results showed that 24 h incubation of tongue cancer cells with increasing concentration of propolis extract resulted in a decrease of total protein content

Summary

Introduction

As an immemorial source of diverse active molecules, continues to serve as a major inspiration for drug development. Therapeutic applications of natural products offer great opportunities for modern medicine, while being simultaneously a huge challenge due to the problem of standardization procedures and the chemical complexity of these substances. People have widely used propolis in folk medicine, as it is known for a broad spectrum of biological properties including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer activity [2]. Nowadays, it is used in the cosmetics industry, i.e., as a component of anti-acne creams and products for oral hygiene [3]

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