Evaluation of antifungal and antitumor effects of propolis

One of the major concerns of the health system of countries is resistance to common fungicides by pathogenic strains. The World Health Organization places special emphasis on finding natural compounds with antifungal properties. Therefore, in the present study, the antifungal and antitumor effects of ethanol extract of propolis were studied. For this purpose, at first, M. furfur MF7 strain was prepared and cultivated. Then, propolis ethanol extract was prepared. The microbioassay method was used to study the effects of different concentrations of propolis extract on the growth of M. furfur, and the broth microdilution method was used to determine the MIC and MFC. Also, the effect of this extract on ergosterol biosynthesis was studied. The results of the study showed that the MIC of propolis ethanol extract on this pathogenic fungus is 10 mg/ml and its MFC is 20 mg/ml. The decrease in fungus growth was seen with the increase in the concentration of propolis ethanol extract, so that there was no growth in the concentration of 20 mg/ml ethanol extract of propolis. Also, with the increase in the concentration of the extract, the biosynthesis of ergosterol decreased, and at the concentrations of 15 and 20 mg/ml, a severe decrease in the biosynthesis of this compound was seen. Propolis reduced HT-29 cell line viability at 2000µg/mL. In general, it was concluded that propolis ethanol extract is a suitable option for treating diseases caused by M. furfur. Studies in clinical conditions are needed.