Liver cancer and breast cancer are significant health concerns worldwide, with increasing incidences over the past few decades. Chronic liver disease, including viral hepatitis B and C infections, alcohol abuse, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), are considered the most effective causes of hepatocarcinoma [1]. In recent years, breast cancer incidence rates have increased by 0.5 % annually. In the United States, breast cancer remains one of the main causes of cancer-related mortality [2]. Chemotherapy is highly effective in combating liver and breast cancers by targeting and destroying cancer cells, thereby inhibiting tumor growth. This therapeutic approach can be employed in conjunction with other treatments; however, it is not without limitations such as the development of drug resistance and the occurrence of side effects. Therefore, it is essential to explore alternative strategies to overcome these limitations and minimize adverse effects [3,4].

Propolis extract (PE) is a rich source of bioactive substances, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids, which are naturally occurring resinous materials derived from honeybees that may offer health benefits. These compounds possess a wide range of medicinal properties, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. Its high polyphenol concentration enhances the antioxidant properties by neutralizing harmful free radicals and protecting against chronic diseases. Additionally, PE may be used as an adjuvant therapy in cancer treatment due to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties [5,6]. Despite the promising potential of PE, its widespread use is hindered by several drawbacks, including inherent instability, poor solubility, and the potential for adverse reactions [7]. Addressing these limitations could unlock PE's full potential and enable us to fully utilize its healing properties. In addition, bee pollen has been shown to exhibit apoptotic effects through encapsulation within hybrid peptide-protein hydrogel nanoparticles (EPCIBP) for both A549 and MCF-7 cell lines. This results in significant upregulation of Bax and caspase 3 genes, as well as downregulation of Bcl2, HRAS, and MAPK [8], beside the activity of autophagy mechanisms through the activity of pure niacin, pure curcumin, Niacin NPs, and curcumin-niacin NPs to treat HePG2 cells [9].

Nanoencapsulation has been employed to circumvent the limitations of propolis by encapsulating it within nanoparticles, thus improving its stability and protecting it from degradation and oxidation. Furthermore, nanocarriers offer a larger surface area for interactions with biological systems, resulting in improved absorption and bioavailability. Additionally, nanoencapsulation enables the controlled release of the propolis extract, which allows for sustained and targeted delivery to specific sites of action. This has significant implications for the development of novel drug delivery systems and functional foods fortified with PE, which can provide enhanced therapeutic benefits [10,11].

The development of new drug delivery systems and functional foods enriched with PE holds significant implications for improving therapeutic benefits. In this regard, we developed new nanocapsules composed of galloyl-oligochitosan nanoparticles (GOCNPs) as safe drug delivery systems (DDSs) for PE. Additionally, the nanocapsules were tested to determine how well they could reduce inflammation and liver and breast cancer growth, as well as support the body's natural defenses against these conditions through upregulating the antioxidant system.