{
  "abstract": "Melanoma is the most aggressive and life-threatening form of skin cancer. Propolis possesses diverse biological activities and is considered a promising source of compounds for anticancer therapy. This study evaluated the cytotoxic effects of propolis from endemic regions of Nepal, Greece, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Georgia on melanoma cell lines (A375, SK-MEL-3) and normal human skin fibroblasts (BJ). Chemical characterization was performed using UHPLC-UV-ESI-qTOF-MS/MS. Total flavonoid and polyphenol contents, as well as antioxidant activity, were also determined. Biological effects were assessed by measuring cell viability, apoptosis (fluorescent staining and confocal microscopy), and caspase-6 activity (fluorometric assay). Most analyzed extracts contained markers characteristic of black poplar-type propolis, including chrysin, pinocembrin, galangin, pinobanksin-3-acetate, and caffeic acid monoesters such as caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and isomers of the 1,1-dimethylallyl ester. Three propolis samples from Georgia showed the strongest anticancer activity against melanoma cells while exhibiting low toxicity toward normal fibroblasts (SI > 1). These extracts also displayed high antioxidant activity and elevated polyphenol content. Apoptosis predominated in A375 cells, whereas necrosis was more evident in SK-MEL-3 cells, consistent with increased caspase-6 activity in A375 cells. These results suggest that Georgian propolis may be a promising candidate for further investigation in melanoma therapy.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, KUL-The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1 H Street, 20-708 Lublin, Poland",
    "Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 1 Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland",
    "Department of Pharmacognosy with Medicinal Plants Garden, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 1 Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland",
    "Department of Pharmacognosy and Herbal Medicines, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211a Street, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland",
    "Department of Pharmacognosy, Tbilisi State Medical University, 33 Vazha-Pshavela Ave, 0186 Tbilisi, Georgia",
    "Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Tbilisi State Medical University, 33 Vazha-Pshavela Ave, 0186 Tbilisi, Georgia"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 8,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Marta Trzaskowska",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-6360-6702"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Jarosław Widelski",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-3154-9138"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Piotr Okińczyc",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-5795-8605"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Paulina Kazimierczak",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-5893-7168"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Vladyslav Vivcharenko",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-1526-686X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Anna Bozhadze"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Malkhaz Jokhadze"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Agata Przekora",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-6076-1309"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d25pxzpjt60ey.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/molecules31213841",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "d25pxzpjt60ey",
  "issns": [
    "1420-3049"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3841",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1109|Bee Products Chemical Analysis"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223650852",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-24",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d25pxzpjt60ey.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:42Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/molecules31213841",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3841"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:1109|Bee Products Chemical Analysis",
      "subfield": "zoology-behaviour"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Targeted Screening Studies on Endemic Propolis Extracts for Selective Cytotoxicity Against Human Melanoma Cells Models",
  "title_text": "Targeted Screening Studies on Endemic Propolis Extracts for Selective Cytotoxicity Against Human Melanoma Cells Models",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:18:42Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d25pxzpjt60ey",
  "venue": "Molecules",
  "versions": []
}