Investigation of In-Vitro Cytotoxic and Potential Anticancer Activities of Flavonoidal Aglycones from Egyptian Propolis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria 21521, Egypt

2 Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt

3 Medical Biotechnolog Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt

4 Pharmaceutical & Fermentation Industries Development Center, City of Scientifc Research and Technological Applications, Alexandria, Egypt

5 Pharmaceutical & Fermentation Industries Development Center, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

The in-vitro anticancer activity of Egyptian propolis ethanol extract as well as two isolated flavonoidal aglycones, tectochrysin and quercetin-3,3’-di-O-methylether,was assayed using neutral red uptake method on human breast cancer (MCF-7) and colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cell lines, in addition to their in-vitro cytotoxic effect to normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Egyptian propolis ethanol extract and quercetin-3,3’-di-O-methylether showed both high activity and selectivity towards the two tested cell lines suggesting them as effective, safe and selective anticancer candidates against both breast and colorectal cancer.

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