Caracterização química e avaliação das atividades antioxidante e citotóxica da própolis de Duckeola Ghilianii (Spinola, 1853)

Abstract

Propolis from native stingless bees has been attracting increasing interest due to its phytochemical and pharmacological potential. Produced from plant resins, oils, waxes and other materials, propolis exhibits a chemical composition that varies according to the region of origin and the botanical resources available to the bees. Among the constituents of propolis already identified in other species are phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, aromatic acids, fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Its pharmacological properties include antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, anti‑inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. In this context, the present study investigated the chemical constituents and biological potential of the ethanolic extract of propolis from the stingless bee Duckeola ghilianii (Spinola, 1853) (DGE), an endemic species of the Amazon region. The chemical study of the extract was performed using a hyphenated technique of high‑performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, including fragmentation studies (HPLC‑MS/MS). Chemical assays were carried out to evaluate antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS), as well as assays for reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a cell model. Cell viability assays were performed in MDA‑MB‑231 (breast adenocarcinoma), THP‑1 (human monocytic leukemia) and HFF‑1 (human fibroblast) cell lines. Through chemical characterization, the major constituents of the DGE extract were proposed as being analogs of the isoprenylated benzophenone class. The antioxidant and cell viability assays produced promising results with respect to prevention of oxidative damage and selective cytotoxicity, warranting further studies to elucidate the mechanisms of action and the therapeutic potential in tumor cells.