da Silva, Lívia M. [UNESP]Frión-Herrera, Yahima [UNESP]Bartolomeu, Ariane R. [UNESP]Gorgulho, Carolina Mendonça [UNESP]Sforcin, José M. [UNESP]2018-12-112018-12-112017-11-01Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, v. 69, n. 11, p. 1625-1633, 2017.2042-71580022-3573http://hdl.handle.net/11449/175099Objectives: The effects of propolis and phenolic compounds (caffeic acid – Caf; dihydrocinnamic acid – Cin; p-coumaric acid – Cou) in the same quantity found in our propolis sample were investigated on human laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma (HEp-2) cells. Methods: Cell viability, apoptosis/necrosis and cell cycle arrest, P53 and CASPASE-3 gene expression, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ability of propolis to induce doxorubicin (DOX) efflux using a P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor (verapamil) were assayed. Key findings: Propolis exerted a cytotoxic effect on HEp-2 cells, whereas isolated compounds had no effect on cell viability. Higher concentrations were tested and Caf induced late apoptosis or necrosis in HEp-2 cells, while propolis induced apoptosis, both probably due to ROS generation. P53 expression was downregulated by propolis but not by Caf. CASPASE-3 expression was correlated with induction of both early and late apoptosis, with both propolis and Caf alone upregulating its expression. Propolis induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and Caf at S phase. Propolis but not Caf may act as a P-gp inhibitor by modulating P-gp activity and inhibiting DOX efflux. Conclusions: Propolis exerted cytotoxic effects on HEp-2 cells, and the mechanisms are discussed, showing its potential as an antitumour drug.1625-1633engcaffeic acidHEp-2 cellsP-glycoproteinphenolic compoundspropolisArtigo10.1111/jphp.12789Acesso restrito2-s2.0-85028453016