Evaluation of the Anticarcinogenic Potential of Propolis Ethanolic Extract (PEE) from Philippine Stingless Bee (Tetragonula biroi Friese)

With the increasing cancer morbidity and mortality, several treatments have been conducted to find alternative remedies for cancer. Natural products such as bee propolis derived from plant resins were investigated on their anticarcinogenic potential by determining their antioxidant, antimitotic, cytotoxic, and antiangiogenic activities. Propolis from Tetragonula biroi Friese was extracted with 96% ethanol to produce the propolis ethanolic extract (PEE), then was tested for the presence of phytochemicals. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of PEE was determined by calculating the standard curve from absorbance reading. The antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Allium cepa test was utilized to determine the mitotic index of PEE for its antimitotic activity. The cytotoxic activity of PEE was tested using the MTT Assay using MCF-7 cells. Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay using duck eggs was performed to determine the antiangiogenic activity of PEE. Results showed that PEE is dark brown in color with a sticky consistency with a percent yield of 38.064%. Qualitative analyses of PEE detected the presence of the following: flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, and triterpenes. Furthermore, determination of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) revealed 996.1755 mg GAE/mg and 50.1407 ug QE/mg, respectively.