A Student Creativity Program in Exact Science Research (PKM-RE) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has conducted innovative research on the potential of local wisdom in Yogyakarta, specifically propolis from Turi, against T-47D cell lines, focusing on antiproliferative activity facilitated by bioactive flavonoid derivatives.
The UGM Propolis ABC team titled their research The Potential of Turi, Yogyakarta, Propolis Extract on T-47D Breast Cancer Cells: a Study of Viability and Mi-RNA Expression In Vitro.
The team consists of Firanti Zulkarnain, Melisa Uvictoria (Chemistry 2022), Afifah Riezki Nurfadhilah, Dini Aura Insani (Medicine 2022), and Nurhayati (Biology 2022). Dr. Dwi Aris Agung Nugrahaningsih, a lecturer in the Medical Program at UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), mentored them.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer. According to 2020 data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health through Globocan, new breast cancer cases in Indonesia reached 68,858 out of a total of 396,914 new cancer cases in the country.
“This fact motivated the five of us, UGM students, to research the potential of bioactive compounds found in propolis as anti-cancer agents,” said team leader Firanti Zulkarnain at the UGM Campus on Thursday (Jul. 25).
Zulkarnain explained that propolis is a resinous substance bees produce as an adhesive to repel intruders from their hives. Although proven beneficial, the public rarely knows about propolis’s existence and advantages.
The team then took the initiative to research the potential of flavonoids contained in propolis against breast cancer. This was done by studying the effects of flavonoids in propolis on breast cancer cell growth and examining the expression of microRNA genes in breast cancer cells.
Zulkarnain mentioned that chemotherapy is currently used to suppress cancer cell growth. However, this method can cause microRNA disruptions or imbalances, increasing the severity of cancer cell proliferation.
She explained that the Propolis ABC research highlights the potential use of bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, as anti-cancer agents.
“Flavonoids not only have potential as anti-cancer agents, but they can also modulate the expression of microRNA, affecting genes related to cancer cell growth and their ability to keep growing,” she explained.
The team hopes that studying the effects of flavonoids contained in propolis on breast cancer will provide a solution to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.
The team is very hopeful that the flavonoid compounds in the Turi propolis extract they are studying can be developed as anti-cancer agents and become part of breast cancer treatment therapy, contributing to reducing the prevalence of the disease.
Author: Agung Nugroho