Table 5.

Summary of clinical trials examining the activity of propolis and its constituents against cancer.

Propolis Source	Study Design	Dose	Measured Outcome	References
Portuguese propolis, Bornes and Fundão regions	RCC model	Hemolytic protection IC50, Bornes = 6.3 ± 0.7 μg/mL Fundão = 10.4 ± 2.7 μg/mL Anticancer activity IC50 Bornes = 56.5 ± 16.7 μg/mL Fundão = 56.1 ± 20.9 μg/mL	Reduced malondialdehyde by blocking lipid peroxidation and controlled hemolytic activity due to peroxy free radicals Dramatically controlled the growth of cancer cells	[71]
CAPE	MCF-7 cell line	IC50 = 10 μg/mL	Decreased the expression of X-chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis, dose-dependent inhibition of tumor density Increased level of Bax protein cells Facilitated JNK activation in a time-dependent manner	[72]
Brazilian red propolis, CAPE	MCF-7 tumor cells and human fibroblasts	Propolis = 0.1–20 μg/mL CAPE = 0.1–2 μM	Induced in caspase 3 signaling pathway and improved DNA fragmentation, changes in expression of apoptotic proteins and enhancer-binding protein Negligible effect in fibroblasts	[73]
Chinese propolis ethanolic extract	MDA- MB-231, MCF -7 tumor cell line	25, 50, 100, 200 μg/mL	Lowered NF-κB and p65 levels Significantly enhanced levels of p53 and annexin A7 Induced ROS and apoptosis; decreased cancer proliferation	[74]
Chinese propolis ethanolic extract, CAPE	MDA- MB-231 tumor cell line	Propolis extract = 25 μg/mL (low dose), 50 μg/mL (middle dose) and 100 μg/mL (high dose) CAPE = 25 μg/mL	Arrested the production of nitric oxide and the growth of tumor cells Activated PARP enzyme and caspase-3 signaling pathways. Lowered the levels of NF-κB, p65 and TLR4 signaling pathways	[75]
Cuban red propolis	MDA- MB-231 tumor cell line	IC50 = 67.3 μg/mL	Disturbed the mitochondrial potential, lactate dehydrogenase released, production of ROS and cell migration Decline in expression of genes inducing apoptosis Inhibited functions of KRK1/2 and PI3 K/Akt pathways	[76]
Chinese poplar propolis	MDA- MB-231 tumor cell line	Low dose = 25 μg/mL, middle = 50 μg/mL and high = 100 μg/mL	Decreased cell tube generation, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α-like inflammatory mediators, glycolytic enzymes and mitochondrial potential Promoted ROS generation	[77]