Oil Extract of Propolis as Effective at Inhibiting Tumor Growth as Alcohol Extract

In vivo Antitumoural Activity and Composition of an Oil Extract of Brazilian Propolis
Food Chemistry, Volume 126, Issue 3, 1 June 2011, Pages 1239-1245

The present study aimed to evaluate in vivo and in vitro the antitumoural activity of a propolis extract obtained with edible vegetable oil and its fractions and also to investigate its chemical composition by LC–MS and LC–MS/MS.

To evaluate the toxicological aspects related to the propolis extract treatment, hematological, biochemical, histopathological and morphological analyses of treated animals were performed. All propolis extracts showed an in vivo antitumour activity in the experimental model with a moderate toxicity effect at experimental exposure levels.

The oil extract was as effective as the ethanolic extract at inhibiting tumour growth. In vitro assays showed that the whole oil extract produced better inhibition of tumour cells than its fractions. LC–MS and LC–MS/MS identified four phenolic acids and three flavonoids.

The anticancer potential of the oil extract of propolis has been demonstrated and the edible vegetable oil was shown as an attractive alternative solvent to extract bioactive natural propolis components.

Research highlights

• Ethanolic and oil propolis extracts were evaluated in vivo in the Sarcoma 180 model.
• Toxicological aspects related to propolis extracts treatment were performed.
• The oil extract was as effective as the ethanolic extract at inhibiting tumour growth.
• Propolis reduced tumour growth with the same ratio as 5-FU but with less side effects.
• LC–MS/MS identified phenolic acids and flavonoids in oil propolis extract fractions.