Phytochemical study and cytotoxic evaluation of the hexanic fraction and isolated compounds from red propolis produced by Apis mellifera L.

Abstract

Propolis is a natural resinous substance produced by bees, including the species Apis mellifera L., from parts of plants, or exudates, which are mixed with wax and salivary secretion. Its composition and, consequently, its biological activities depend on several factors, such as geographic origin, seasonality, sun light, altitude and availability of food during the production of propolis. There are many biological properties reported for propolis. Among the different types of Brazilian propolis, there is the need for further studies on red propolis from Dalbergia ecastophyllum (L.) Taub., mainly on its hexanic extract and isolated compounds, which display antiproliferative action. Considering the economic and pharmacological potentials of red propolis we are proposing the phytochemical study of its hydroalcoholic extract, followed by partition with solvents of increasing polarity and isolation of the major constituents of the hexanic fraction using different chromatographic modalities, such as: open-column chromatography, chromatotron, and preparative HPLC, among others. The obtained fractions will be analyzed by using analytical thin-layer chromatography, and the isolated compounds will be identified by spectroscopic and spectrometric means, mainly through nuclear magnetic resonance of hydrogen and/or carbon and high resolution mass spectrometry. The propolis extract, its hexanic fration and its isolated compounds will be evaluated for in vitro citotoxic activity against MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell lines