Propolis Nanoparticles Combined with Gamma-Irradiation Enhance the Potency of Anticancer Against HepG2 Cell Lines: Invitro Investigation

The effects of Nano propolis (NP-Pro) alone or combined with radiation in human liver cancer cell line (HepG2) in vitro were evaluated. NP-Pro is made up of natural propolis particles that are between 1 and 100 nm in diameter that have been linked together to increase its effectiveness without altering its original characteristics. Numerous benefits of propolis include its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and antifungal properties. Propolis nanoparticles were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Cell viability was examined using MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay, and apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry. HepG2 was treated with both different concentrations of NP-Pro and irradiated 10 Gy using a ¹³⁷Cs gamma source. The cytotoxic effect of the studied NP-Pro increased with an increase in concentrations. The IC₅₀ of NP-Pro in the cytotoxicity test with the HepG2 cells in combination with a radiation dose of 10 Gy was 7.58 ± 0.39 µg/mL, while for free NP-Pro, it was 29.58 ± 1.27 µg/mL. The effects of the combined use of NP-Pro and irradiated 10 Gy on cytotoxicity, generation of reactive oxygen species, and activity of apoptosis-mediated signaling pathways were studied on the HepG2 cell line. Cell apoptosis tests have shown that HepG2 cells that are exposed to nano propolis + 10 Gy undergo apoptosis, and their population is dramatically decreased (p < 0.005). All these studies concluded that propolis nanoparticles could be a good alternative to existing anticancer materials in combination with gamma radiation.