ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#Although Angelica archangelica is a medicinal and aromatic plant with a long history of use for both medicinal and food purposes, there are no studies regarding the antineoplastic activity of its root. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and antitumor effects of the crude extract of A. archangelica root (CEAA) on breast cancer.@*METHODS@#The cytotoxicity of CEAA against breast adenocarcinoma cells (4T1 and MCF-7) was evaluated by a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Morphological and biochemical changes were detected by Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide (PI) and annexin V/PI staining. Cytosolic calcium mobilization was evaluated in cells staining with FURA-4NW. Immunoblotting was used to determine the effect of CEAA on anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax, respectively). The 4T1 cell-challenged mice were used for in vivo assay.@*RESULTS@#Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, angelicin, a constituent of the roots and leaves of A. archangelica, was found to be the major constituent of the CEAA evaluated in this study (73 µg/mL). The CEAA was cytotoxic for both breast cancer cell lines studied but not for human fibroblasts. Treatment of 4T1 cells with the CEAA increased Bax protein levels accompanied by decreased Bcl-2 expression, in the presence of cleaved caspase-3 and cytosolic calcium mobilization, suggesting mitochondrial involvement in breast cancer cell death induced by the CEAA in this cell line. No changes on the Bcl-2/Bax ratio were observed in CEAA-treated MCF7 cells. Gavage administration of the CEAA (500 mg/kg) to 4T1 cell-challenged mice significantly decreased tumor growth when compared with untreated animals.@*CONCLUSION@#Altogether, our data show the antitumor potential of the CEAA against breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Further research is necessary to better elucidate the pharmacological application of the CEAA in breast cancer therapy.
ABSTRACT
Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa analisar a própolis produzida por abelhas Apis mellifera L. no Estado da Paraíba, colhida pelo método de tela plástica, determinando-se a composição físico-química e a atividade antimicrobiana conforme o período de colheita das amostras. Para a determinação físico-química, foram avaliados os teores de umidade, cinzas, resíduos insolúveis, cera, sólidos solúveis, fenóis, flavonóides e índice de oxidação. Para o estudo da atividade antimicrobiana, foram utilizados os microrganismos Candida albicans e Staphylococcus aureus. O teor de umidade, os resíduos insolúveis, as cinzas, os sólidos solúveis, os fenóis, os flavonóides e o índice de oxidação das amostras testadas apresentaram uma variação de 1,0 a 8,6 por cento; 23,5 a 40,4 por cento; 1,1 a 3,3 por cento; 32,0 a 62,5 por cento; 1,0 a 8,1 por cento; 0,04-0,5 por cento e de 14 a 29 segundos, respectivamente. Os extratos etanólicos de própolis não apresentaram inibição ao crescimento dos patógenos testados. Observou-se, também, que a própolis colhida em diferentes épocas do ano, assim como a própolis oriunda de diferentes colméias, apresentaram diferentes valores para a composição bromatológica e bioativa, tendo a própolis amostrada nos períodos de maior precipitação os melhores valores para compostos bioativos.
This study was aimed at analysing the propolis produced in beehive of Apis mellifera L. bee in the state of Paraiba - Brazil. Propolis was collected by the method of plastic screen, determining the physical-chemical composition and antimicrobial activity according to the period of collection of the samples. For the physical-chemical determination, it was assessed the humidity, ashes, insoluble residues, wax, soluble solids, phenols, flavonoids and oxidation index. To study the antimicrobial activity, microorganisms Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus were used. The humidity contents, insoluble residues, ashes, soluble solids, phenols, flavonids and index of oxidation of the tested propolis varied from 1.03 to 8.58 percent; 23.47 to 40.38 percent; 1.13 to 3.25 percent; 31.97 to 62.54 percent; 1.01 to 8.13 percent; 0.045-0.52 percent and from 14 to 29 seconds, respectively. None of the etanol extracts of propolis inhibited the growth of bacteria pathogenic. It was also observed that the propolis collected in different times of the year, as well as propolis originated from of different beehives, showed different chemical composition and bioactive and that propolis sampled in periods of greater precipitation had better values of bioactive compounds.