Targeted Screening Studies on Endemic Propolis Extracts for Selective Cytotoxicity Against Human Melanoma Cells Models
6 affiliations
- 1Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, KUL-The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1 H Street, 20-708 Lublin, Poland
- 2Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 1 Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- 3Department of Pharmacognosy with Medicinal Plants Garden, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 1 Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- 4Department of Pharmacognosy and Herbal Medicines, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211a Street, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland
- 5Department of Pharmacognosy, Tbilisi State Medical University, 33 Vazha-Pshavela Ave, 0186 Tbilisi, Georgia
- 6Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Tbilisi State Medical University, 33 Vazha-Pshavela Ave, 0186 Tbilisi, Georgia
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.
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BibTeX
@article{trzaskowska2026targeted,
title = {{Targeted Screening Studies on Endemic Propolis Extracts for Selective Cytotoxicity Against Human Melanoma Cells Models}},
author = {Marta Trzaskowska and Jarosław Widelski and Piotr Okińczyc and Paulina Kazimierczak and Vladyslav Vivcharenko and Anna Bozhadze and Malkhaz Jokhadze and Agata Przekora},
journal = {Molecules},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/molecules31213841},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3841},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Targeted Screening Studies on Endemic Propolis Extracts for Selective Cytotoxicity Against Human Melanoma Cells Models
AU - Marta Trzaskowska
AU - Jarosław Widelski
AU - Piotr Okińczyc
AU - Paulina Kazimierczak
AU - Vladyslav Vivcharenko
AU - Anna Bozhadze
AU - Malkhaz Jokhadze
AU - Agata Przekora
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/24
JO - Molecules
DO - 10.3390/molecules31213841
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3841
AB - 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.
SN - 1420-3049
ER -