Comparative Evaluation of Antiproliferative Effects of Brazilian Green Propolis, Its Main Source Baccharis dracunculifolia, and Their Major Constituents Artepillin C and Baccharin

This study evaluated the antiproliferative activity of the Brazilian green propolis and Baccharis dracunculifolia extracts and their major compounds artepillin C and baccharin in different tumor cell lines. The lowest IC50 values observed for Brazilian green propolis and B. dracunculifolia extracts were 41.0 +/- 4.5 mu g/mL for U343 and 44.9 +/- 7.1 mu g/mL for HepG2, respectively. Regarding artepillin C and baccharin, the lowest IC50 values were 20.1 +/- 2.9 for U343 and 13.0 +/- 1.5 mu g/mL for B16F10, respectively. For the association of artepillin C plus baccharin, the lowest IC50 result was 35.2 +/- 0.5 mu g/mL for B16F10. Artepillin C and baccharin were more cytotoxic than both Brazilian green propolis and B. dracunculifolia extracts. No additive or synergistic effect was observed for the association of artepillin C plus baccharin.