Algerian propolis has gained interest in the last recent years. Many studies have demonstrated its potential anticancer activity in various cell lines such as Human Pancreatic PANC-1 cancer and human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (A549). However, the potential anticancer effect and molecular mechanism of Algerian propolis on Human breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) cells has not been investigated.
We aimed in the present study to investigate the cytotoxic and anticancer effects of algerian propolis on Human breast adenocarcinoma cells. The influence of the used solvent for extraction on the tested activity and the chemical composition was also investigated. Real time PCR was used to investigate the effect of Algerian propolis on gene expression of caspase 3, Bax, Bcl-2, CDK-4 and P53 proteins. In addition, Annexin-V was also evaluated.
The MTT assay showed a significant antiproliferative activity. EC50 values varied between 97 and 117 µg / ml. Algerian propolis was found to significantly increase mRNA levels of proteins associated with tumor suppression and apoptosis. The main biologically active compounds of Algerian propolis were flavonoids and phenolic acids. The presented findings suggest that the Alerian propolis show potential in anticancer therapeutic strategy in particular in Human breast adenocarcinoma.