Summary
Published in Nutrition and Cancer (2021), this peer-reviewed study used 3D Petri Dish® micro-molds to form scaffold-free 3D microtissues. Full citation: Cetin, Emel Oyku, et al. Preparation of Ethanol Extract of Propolis Loaded Niosome Formulation and Evaluation of Effects on Different Cancer Cell Lines
Preparation of Ethanol Extract of Propolis Loaded Niosome Formulation and Evaluation of Effects on Different Cancer Cell Lines
Research Overview
Propolis has broad biological and pharmacological activity thanks to its diverse components, making it a candidate for cancer treatment. This study compared antitumorigenic activity of an ethanol extract of propolis against the same extract loaded into niosomes prepared by thin-film hydration, testing both in 2D and 3D culture.
Viability was measured by MTT assay across MCF7, A549, MDA-MB-231, SK-MEL, SK-BR-3, DU145, and L-929 lines. L929, MCF7, and A549 cells were additionally cultured with the 3D Petri Dish® technique, forming spheroids after 142 hours before treatment — allowing direct comparison of free versus niosome-encapsulated propolis in both culture formats.
Key Discoveries
- Ethanol extract of propolis compared free versus niosome-encapsulated for anticancer activity
- Tested across seven cell lines in 2D plus spheroids formed with the 3D Petri Dish® technique
- Spheroids formed over 142 hours before treatment, enabling 2D-versus-3D efficacy comparison
