<i>In vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> investigation of polypharmacology of propolis extract as anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and chemical properties

Abstract Numerous compounds derived from natural sources such as microbes, plants, and insects have proven to be safe, efficacious, cost-effective therapeutics for human diseases. This study examined the bioactivities of propolis, a structural sealant antibacterial/antifungal agent produced by honey bees. Chinese propolis was extracted in methanol or hexane. Propolis significantly reduced numbers viable cancer cells when applied extract (IC 50 values μg/mL indicated cell line: MDA-MB-231, 74.12; LoVo, HepG2, 77.74; MCF7, 95.10; A549, 114.84) hexane (MDA-MB-231, 52.11; 45.9; 78.01; 67.90). Hexane also induced apoptosis HepG2 according activated caspase-3/7 expression assays (17.6 ± 2.9% at 150 89.2 1.9% 300 vs 3.4 0.4% vehicle control), suppressed growth Candida albicans multiple multidrug-resistant nonresistant Gram-positive bacteria, inhibited croton oil-induced skin inflammation topical treatment. GC-MS identified hexadecanoic acid methyl ester major constituent (33.6%). has potential anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory activities.