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Propolis and the immune system: A review
Abstract
Propolis has been used empirically for centuries and it was always mentioned as an immunomodulatory agent. In recent years, in vitro and in vivo assays provided new information concerning its mechanisms of action, thus a review dealing with propolis and the immune system became imperative. This review compiles data from our laboratory as well as from other researchers, focusing on its chemical composition and botanical sources, the seasonal effect on its composition and biological properties, its immunomodulatory and antitumor properties, considering its effects on antibody production and on different cells of the immune system, involving the innate and adaptive immune response. In vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated the modulatory action of propolis on murine peritoneal macrophages, increasing their microbicidal activity. Its stimulant action on the lytic activity of natural killer cells against tumor cells, and on antibody production was demonstrated. Propolis inhibitory effects on lymphoproliferation may be associated to its anti-inflammatory property. In immunological assays, the best results were observed when propolis was administered over a short-term to animals. Propolis antitumor property and its anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic potential are discussed. Since humans have used propolis for different purposes and propolis-containing products have been marketed, the knowledge of its properties with scientific basis is not only of academic interest but also of those who use propolis as well. This review opens a new perspective on the investigation of propolis biological properties, mainly with respect to the immune system.
... The ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians were the first to use propolis, with applications in wound healing and as a disinfection substance (Sforcin 2007). According to Egyptian history, propolis was one of the main ingredients used in an embalming recipe for mummification, in which it serves as a preservative agent (Mejanelle et al., 1997;Kuropatnicki et al., 2013). ...
... The ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians were the first to use propolis, with applications in wound healing and as a disinfection substance (Sforcin 2007). The long history of the use of propolis as a medicine is claimed to be as old as the use of other honeybee products, with the former being used from at least 300 BC (Ghisalberti 1979;Sforcin 2007). ...
... The ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians were the first to use propolis, with applications in wound healing and as a disinfection substance (Sforcin 2007). The long history of the use of propolis as a medicine is claimed to be as old as the use of other honeybee products, with the former being used from at least 300 BC (Ghisalberti 1979;Sforcin 2007). ...
Article Info Propolis is a natural substance collected by honey bees from various plants such as, poplar, palm, pine, conifer secretions, gums, resins, mucilage and leaf buds. It is collected and brought very painstakingly by honey bees to be used for sealing cracks and crevices occurring in their hives. Originally, it as an antiseptic meant for preventing beehive from microbial infections along with preventing decomposition of intruders. Additionally, propolis has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The biological characteristics of propolis depend upon its chemical composition, plant sources, geographical zone and seasons. More than 300 compounds have been identified in propolis such as, phenolic compounds, aromatic acids, essential oils, waxes and amino acids. Many scientific articles are published every year in different international journals, and several groups of researchers have focused their attention on the chemical compounds and biological activity of propolis. In Ethiopia its production is not reported in any part of the country.
... Furthermore, propolis is the major source of phenolic acids and its esters, flavonoid aglycones, amino acids, ketones, phenolic aldehydes, alcohols, sesquiterpenes, steroids, coumarins, and the inorganic compound. (Burdock, 1998, Sforcin, 2007, Değirmencioğlu, 2018. Huang et al., (2014) have stated that chemical profiles of common propolis type which is called the poplar type propolis from different countries such as Korea, China, Taiwan, New Zealand and European countries are similar. ...
... The studies in the literature have shown that the propolis samples collected from Europe are rich in phenolic compounds, flavonoids, aromatic oil and samples collected from Australia and South America is rich in diand triterpenes as well as phenolic compounds (Sforcin, 2007, Seidel et al., 2008. ...
... As a result, there are several positive effects on human health such as improvement of ventilatory functions, antibacterial and antifungal activities, gut and throat health, immune system and blood circulation (Duarte et al., 2003, Bankova, 2005, Sforcin, 2007. However, no health claim has been recognized for propolis by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (EFSA, 2010). ...
Propolis is attracting great interest due to functional effects such as antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer. Therefore, studies about the use of propolis in food products and increasing propolis consumption in human nutrition have increased in recent years. Propolis contains phenolic compounds, essential oils, aromatic acids and waxes which are responsible for biological effects. Many factors such as plant resources, geographical regions and environmental conditions affect the chemical composition of propolis. Propolis enrichment in food products to improve the nutritional value, quality and functionality of food have been investigated in many studies. Furthermore, it was reported that propolis can meet the demand of consumers about the use of natural food additive in food manufacturing. The aim of the present study was to introduce the physicochemical composition and biological activity of propolis and review the studies about its applications in food products.
... The major bee products are honey, bee wax, royal jelly, and propolis. Term apitherapy is very popular nowadays and is used to treat illness, pain from acute and chronic injuries by using honey bee products [1][2][3]. Illness like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis can be treated with apitherapy [4]. One of the most innovative and rapidly evolving field is nanotechnology, which has the potential to increase the efficacy of the bee products. ...
... Against pathogenic microorganisms propolis also acts as a chemical weapon of bees [10]. Antiseptic and antimicrobial properties of propolis help bees to protect the colony from diseases [2,3,6,7,15]. Bees also use propolis to reduce air flow into the hive to retain heat [16]. Apis dorsata (giant honey bee) uses propolis to reinforce the hive's adhesion, although Apis cerana does not use it at all. ...
... Folin-Ciocalteu method and phenolic sulphuric acid method were used for the determination of total polyphenol content and total polysaccharide content, respectively [30,37,39,[47][48][49]. It was reported from the literature surveyed that phenolic compounds were the main components of propolis, which included flavonoids, aromatic acids, and benzopyranes [2]. Propolis extract was composed of cinnimic acids, caffeic acid, terpenes, phenolic acids, amino acids, flavonoids, and phenolic acid esters. ...
The most fascinating product of honeybee is propolis. It has an immense role in dentistry, dermatology, and otorhinolaryngology. The increased popularity of propolis as an important remedy is due to its constituents, which have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antihepatotoxic, anti-cancerous, antifungal, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiviral activities. The diverse biological and pharmacological activities of propolis have piqued the interest of many scientists. Many techniques like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, chromatography, and spectroscopy are being used to identify different propolis constituents. Flavonoids, phenolic acids, and their esters are the most pharmacologically active molecules of propolis and are known to disrupt the replication machinery of the virus corroborating the anti-coronavirus activity of propolis. The main aim of this article is to provide an insight of the increasing theragnostic uses of propolis and its nanoparticles, including their chemical analysis, diverse biological activities, and the necessity for chemical standardization. In this review, we have focused at the promising effects of propolis, its optimization, and its liposomal formulation as a therapeutic intervention for COVID-19 and its accompanying comorbidities.
... Kandungan flavonoid dalam propolis bervariasi sekitar 10-20%. Kandungan tersebut merupakan yang terbanyak dibandingkan kandungan flavonoid dalam produk lebah lain (Draganova-Filipova, et al., 2010;Sforcin, 2007;Sforcin & Bankova, 2011). Di Indonesia lebah Trigona Sp merupakan penghasil propolis berkualitas tinggi yang mengandung banyak flavonoid (Hasan, et al., 2011;Hasan, et al., 2013;Syamsudin, et al., 2009). ...
... Hal ini dikarenakan sifat propolis sebagai imunomodulator di mana ketika diberikan dengan dosis kecil dan dalam jangka waktu yang singkat, dapat berpotensi meningkatkan rerata indeks daya fagosit makrofag, sedangkan bila diberikan dalam dosis yang besar dan dalam jangka waktu yang lama justru akan bersifat sebagai imunosupresan terhadap rerata indeks daya fagosit makrofag. Propolis mempunyai aktivitas seperti IFN-γ yang menginduksi dan mengaktivasi makrofag dan limfosit T. Aktivasi makrofag mensekresi sitokin (IL-1, IL-6, IL-12 dan TNF-α) dan mengaktivasi sel T. Aktivasi sel T tersebut mensekresi IFN-γ yang menghambat diferensiasi produksi antibodi oleh sel B. Aktivitas propolis yang seperti IFN-γ mengakibatkan respon imun yang dimediasi oleh sel akan teraktivasi, ketika respon imun humoral ditekan produksinya (Gao, et al., 2014;Mustafiah, et al., 2011;Sforcin, 2007). ...
... inkubasi dengan propolis. TGF-β1 dan IL-10 dapat diproduksi oleh sel T regulator. Karena propolis meningkatkan produksi TGF-β1 maka besarnya jumlah sitokin ini juga dapat memengaruhi pembelahan sel serta menurunkan produksi sitokin lainnya. Sedangkan IL-12 diperkirakan bisa mendorong diferensiasi sel T menjadi Th1. (Draganova-Filipova et al., 2010;J. M. Sforcin, 2007;Sforcin & Bankova, 2011) Penelitian Draganova-Filipova, et al., terhadap propolis Bulgaria menyimpulkan bahwa propolis dengan dosis rendah, 1mg/L dan 2,5mg/L, menimbulkan efek proliferatif pada sel T CD4+. Penelitian yang dilakukan secara in vitro ini juga membuktikan bahwa penggunaan dosis yang lebih besar, yaitu 5mg/L, justru terjadi p ...
... Many lines of evidence suggest that immunomodulation by propolis and its polyphenolic/flavonoid components is an important contributing factor to the antitumor and antimetastatic activities of these compounds. Flavonoids may induce the immune system [3,16,17,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27]92,[214][215][216][217][218][220][221][222][223], and act as powerful free radical scavengers [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][39][40][41][42]58,63]. Accordingly, a high dietary intake of flavonoids from propolis is associated with a reduced risk of cancer at different anatomical sites [3,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. ...
... In particular, by increasing the number of macrophages and stimulating their phagocytic phenotype, artepillin C induced lymphocytosis in peripheral blood and exerted a direct antitumor effect [277,278]. According to our results, macrophage activation induced by propolis and its polyphenolic components is probably the key effector mechanism of antitumor activity of polyphenolic compounds in vivo [3,17,18,[21][22][23][24][25][26]73]. Propolis and some of its components given intraperitoneally or perorally (po) in doses of 50 or 150 mg/kg can stimulate macrophages and reduce the number of breast cancer metastases in CBA mice [21,23]. ...
... Propolis and some of its components given intraperitoneally or perorally (po) in doses of 50 or 150 mg/kg can stimulate macrophages and reduce the number of breast cancer metastases in CBA mice [21,23]. Macrophage activation [22,24,73] and the overproduction of NO [15] are responsible for reduced tumor size and prolonged life span of animals by 14.89 to 40.76% for water-soluble derivatives of propolis (WSDP) and caffeic acid (CA), respectively, if administered before tumor cell inoculation [60]. ...
In recent years, interest in natural products such as alternative sources of pharmaceuticals for numerous chronic diseases, including tumors, has been renewed. Propolis, a natural product collected by honeybees, and polyphenolic/flavonoid propolis-related components modulate all steps of the cancer progression process. Anticancer activity of propolis and its compounds relies on various mechanisms: cell-cycle arrest and attenuation of cancer cells proliferation, reduction in the number of cancer stem cells, induction of apoptosis, modulation of oncogene signaling pathways, inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases, prevention of metastasis, anti-angiogenesis, anti-inflammatory effects accompanied by the modulation of the tumor microenvironment (by modifying macrophage activation and polarization), epigenetic regulation, antiviral and bactericidal activities, modulation of gut microbiota, and attenuation of chemotherapy-induced deleterious side effects. Ingredients from propolis also ”sensitize“ cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents, likely by blocking the activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). In this review, we summarize the current knowledge related to the the effects of flavonoids and other polyphenolic compounds from propolis on tumor growth and metastasizing ability, and discuss possible molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the modulation of inflammatory pathways and cellular processes that affect survival, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of the tumor.
... They added that this propolis contains 50% to 60% resins and balsams, 30% to 40% of wax, 5% to 10% of essential and aromatic oils, 5% of pollen, and 5% of other substances. On the other hand, Sforcin [115] noticed that there was no different effect of season on Brazilian propolis composition all year because the propolis was found and collected in the summer season only in the Northern Hemisphere, which is considered a temperate zone. The biological properties of propolis have been reported by numerous authors, and we will illustrate these effects below. ...
... Tropical area Nigeria Chinchilla [35] Eucalyptus Growth performance (-), feed intake (-), carcass traits (-), blood parameters (+), immunity (+) NA Egypt NZW [69] Growth performance (-), feed intake (-), FCR (-), carcass traits (+), blood parameters (+), immunity (+), caecal microbial (+) 24°C to 39°C Egypt V-line & Jabali [17] Growth performance (+), feed intake (+), FCR (+), blood parameters (+) Hot climate Egypt NZW [71] Yucca Growth performance (+), FCR (+), blood (+), microbial (+) Hot climate Egypt NZW [85] Growth performance (+), FCR (+), carcass traits (+), blood parameters (+) Hot climate Egypt, alex NZWxBB [75] Growth performance (+) 17°C ± 3°C Slovak Republic NZW [82] Growth performance (+), blood parameters (+) NA Slovak Republic NZW [7] Growth performance (+), feed intake (-), FCR (+), carcass traits (+), blood parameters (+), immunity (+) Hot climate Egypt zagazig NZW [11] Growth performance (-), feed intake (-), FCR (-) NA Torino -Italy NZW [86] Propolis Growth performance (+), feed intake (+), FCR (+), blood parameters (+), immunity (+) Hot climate Alex-Egypt NZW [102] Growth performance (+), carcass traits (-), blood parameters (+), immunity (+) 23°C to 27°C Alex-V-line [115] Growth performance (+), feed intake (+), FCR (+), blood parameters (+) ...
Heat stress is a major challenge to animal production in tropical and subtropical climates. Rabbits suffer from heat stress more than farm animals because they have few sweat glands, and their bodies are covered with thick fur. Intensive farming relies on antibiotics as antimicrobials or growth promoters to increase animals' productivity and health. However, the European Union and many countries have banned or restricted the use of antibiotics in animal feed for human health concerns. Several studies have found that replacing antibiotics in rabbit feed with natural plants or feed additives increases productivity and improves immune capacity, especially under heat stress conditions. Growth performance, immune response, gut microflora, and carcass yield may be increased in rabbits fed a diet supplemented with some natural plants and/or propolis. In this review article, we discuss and summarize the effects of some herbs and plant extracts as alternative feed additives on rabbit productivity, especially for those raised under hot ambient temperatures.
... Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed using the Paleontological Statistics (PAST) software (version 4.11, Oslo, Norway) [35]. HCA was performed on a Bray-Curtis similarity with complete linkage. ...
... Propolis is one of the most important bee products consumed daily as an immune system supporter and antioxidant agent [35]. It is produced in a wide range of different formulations in the world market. ...
Propolis is a valuable natural substance obtained by honey bees after being collected from the bark, resin of trees, plant leaves and mixed with their saliva, and has been widely used for various biological activities. The properties of propolis can vary widely by botanical origin, location of the hives and colony population. It is thought that the color of propolis is one of the main factors determining its acceptability and originates from the flower markers, pollen and nectar of some plants and is directly related to its chemical content. It is important to compare and standardize the colors, chemical content and biological activities of propolis in our country, which has a rich endemic plant diversity. Thus, in this study, the color indexes of 39 propolis samples from different locations in Turkiye were determined by Lovibond Tintometer, for the first time. The color index, total phenolic content, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities relationship of propolis and two commercial propolis samples were also investigated by HCA and PCA. Turkish propolis, which is defined by its color indices, chemical contents and many different activity potentials, such as antioxidant, antiviral and cytotoxic activity, will find use in many fields from medicine to cosmetics with this study.
... In vitro and in vivo studies have shown the antitumor activity of green propolis against various cancer cells (Sforcin, 2007;Sforcin & Bankova, 2011). In an attempt to explore propolis potential in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs, it has been shown that it may increase the action of some drugs against canine osteosarcoma without affecting normal cells (Bernardino, Bersano, Lima Neto, & Sforcin, 2018). ...
... Mean ± SD; n = 5. Significantly different from control: (ANOVA and Dunnett's test, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01) Conti et al., 2016;Sforcin, 2007). TLRs are expressed by a wide range of cell types including antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells, monocytes/macrophages, and B cells, identifying distinct pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) in invading pathogens. ...
Different propolis samples can be obtained in Brazil, such as green, brown and red. Studies related to Brazilian red propolis (BRP) have increased in the last few years, so the aim of this study was to investigate its effects on the prostate cell lines LNCaP and PC‐3 and on human monocytes. BRP chemical composition was analyzed by HPLC‐DAD, the viability of monocyte and cancer cell by MTT assay. Cytokine production (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐10) by monocytes was quantitated by ELISA, the expression of cell markers (TLR‐2, TLR‐4, HLA‐DR, CD80) and reactive oxygen species by flow cytometry. The candidacidal activity and the effects of supernatant of treated monocytes on tumor cells were assessed. BRP affected LNCaP viability after 48 and 72 h, while PC‐3 cells were more resistant over time. BRP upregulated CD80 and HLA‐DR expression, and stimulated TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐10 production. BRP enhanced the fungicidal activity of monocytes, displayed an antioxidant action and the supernatant of BRP‐treated monocytes diminished LNCaP viability. In the search for new immunomodulatory and antitumoral agents, BRP exerted a selective cytotoxic activity on prostate cancer cells and an immunomodulatory action, suggesting its potential for clinical trials with oncological patients and for the discovery of new immunomodulatory and antitumor drugs.
... Although some allergic reactions of propolis have been reported, yet propolis is relatively non-toxic (Burdock, 1998).Investigation has revealed inhibitory effects on lymph proliferation and other prospective to the immune system (J. Sforcin, 2007). Increased numbers of cases of allergic contact dermatitis are reported especially in those individuals who use propolis in self treatment of numerous diseases or use in bio-cosmetics. ...
Current studies were performed to evaluate the medicinal importance of propolis and its origin and physiochemical composition depending upon the nature of vegetations present in various localities. The propolis contains a myriad of chemical compounds such as flavonoids, esters, phe-nolic acid, amino acids and terpenoids. Different analytical techniques (e.g., TLC, GC, HPLC, MS, NMR and GC-MS) are used for the characterization of various constituents of Propolis. Propolsi finds biomedical importance and numerous clinical applications as it possesses large quantities of anti-oxidants, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory agents and also displays anticancer potential.
... Recently, studies on propolis in the literature and its use as a dietary supplement have increased steadily. In general, half of raw propolis is composed of resin and plant balm while the remaining contains bee wax(30%),essentialandaromaticoils(10%),pollen(5%),andother organicsubstances(5%) (Burdock,1998;Sforcin, 2007). There are morethan850isolatedcompoundsinthecompositionofpropolis, which includes phenolic substances and their esters, caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE), flavonoids, terpenes, aromatic acids, aromatic aldehydes and alcohols, beta-steroids, vitamins, etc. (Koru et al., 2007;Orhan et al., 1999;Šturm & Ulrih, 2020;Viuda-Martos et al., 2008). ...
Kefir drinks with sugar (5%, w/v), strawberry flavor (0.15%, v/v), and propolis extract (PE) at different ratios (0.150%, 0.225%, and 0.300%, v/v) were produced and stored at 4°C, and their physicochemical, rheological, microbiological, and sensory properties were monitored during storage. The ratio of PE and storage time had an insignificant effect on the dry matter, protein, fat contents, Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) L* and a* color values, apparent viscosity, consistency coefficient, flow behavior index, Lactobacillus spp., Lactococcus spp., and yeast counts of kefir drinks (p > .05). The CIE b* values of kefir drinks increased with an increase in PE ratio (p < .05). All kefir samples exhibited a pseudoplastic flow behavior. Initially, the total antioxidant capacity of kefir drinks was 2.19 μmol TE/100 mL, which increased to 2.51 μmol TE/100 mL for kefir drinks with 0.225% PE. The total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of kefir drinks with PE decreased during storage. PE addition did not influence the sensory color and taste liking scores of kefir drinks adversely until the 8th day of storage. In terms of odor liking scores, kefir drinks with 0.225% and 0.300% PE had a similar score to control drinks. Additionally, kefir drinks with 0.150% and 0.225% PE received an overall liking score similar to control drinks. Results indicated that the incorporation of PE at a ratio of 0.225% was recommended for the production of strawberry-flavored kefir drinks with acceptable sensory characteristics and increased functional properties, and this product could be stored for up to 8 days.
... Propolis (bee glue) is a hydrophobic substance with sticky consistency produced by European honeybees (Apis mellifera L.), serving as a building and defensive material in their hives. Bees use propolis to smooth the internal walls of the hive, fill up cracks, repair and seal up the cells of the honeycomb, and embalm dead invaders inside the hive, thus removing the unpleasant smell and the microflora accompanying their decomposition and protecting the bee colony from infections [1,2]. In order to produce propolis, the worker bees collect resins from flowers and leaf buds of various plant species. ...
Propolis is a natural mixture of resins, wax, and pollen from plant buds and flowers, enriched with enzymes and bee saliva. It also contains various essential oils, vitamins, mineral salts, trace elements, hormones, and ferments. It has been found that propolis possesses antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. We have studied the antiviral activity of six extracts of Bulgarian propolis collected from six districts of Bulgaria. The study was conducted against structurally different viruses: human coronavirus strain OC-43 (HCoV OC-43) and human respiratory syncytial virus type 2 (HRSV-2) (enveloped RNA viruses), human herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) (enveloped DNA virus), human rhinovirus type 14 (HRV-14) (non-enveloped RNA virus) and human adenovirus type 5 (HadV-5) (non-enveloped DNA virus). The influence of the extracts on the internal replicative cycle of viruses was determined using the cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition test. The virucidal activity, its impact on the stage of viral adsorption to the host cell, and its protective effect on healthy cells were evaluated using the final dilution method, making them the focal points of interest. The change in viral infectivity under the action of propolis extracts was compared with untreated controls, and Δlgs were determined. Most propolis samples administered during the viral replicative cycle demonstrated the strongest activity against HCoV OC-43 replication. The influence of propolis extracts on the viability of extracellular virions was expressed to a different degree in the various viruses studied, and the effect was significantly stronger in those with an envelope. Almost all extracts significantly inhibited the adsorption step of the herpes virus and, to a less extent, of the coronavirus to the host cell, and some of them applied before viral infection demonstrated a protective effect on healthy cells. Our results enlarge the knowledge about the action of propolis and could open new perspectives for its application in viral infection treatment.
... Honeybees, Apis mellifera, gather propolis, a sticky material, from the buds and bark of trees and other plants. Bees utilize it to guard against infections like germs and viruses [15][16][17][18][19]. Propolis has been used as a medicine for centuries, and it has been found to have a number of physiologically active ingredients. ...
Developing new antibiotics is a critical area of research that grows as a result of the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance. Scientists search for new antibiotics by screening natural sources such as soil, plants, and marine environments. One of the iconic plants in the marine environment is the mangrove, which is a source of honeybee propolis. Propolis collected from the grey mangrove Avicennia marina on Tarout Island, the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, was used to evaluate antibacterial activities against three pathogenic bacteria: gram-negative Enterobacter cloacae (RCMB 001(1) ATCC® 23355TM), gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (clinical isolate), and Streptococcus mutans Clark (RCMB 017(1) ATCC® 25175TM). The results indicate the effectiveness of the methanolic extract of such propolis. The chemical composition of this extract was analyzed using LC-MS, and four compounds were identified (alginic acid, carrageenan, fucoxanthin, cycloeudesmol). Their modes of action were evaluated against bacterial cell walls. Bacterial transpeptidase and transglycosylase on the surface are basic for cell divider amalgamation, and numerous antimicrobials have been created to target these compounds. Molecular docking was employed to predict the interactions of four compounds and S. aureus to predict interaction. Alginic acid was found to be the best interaction with a score of −7.44 Kcal/mol with distance ranges between 2.86 and 3.64 and RMSD refined below 2 Å. Carrageenan with −6.64 Kcal/mol and a distance of 3.05 and 2.87 came second. Then, fucoxanthin with −6.57 Kcal/mol and a distance of 1.4. Finally, cycloeudesmol with a score of −4.6 Kcal/mol and a distance of 2.87 showed the least activity. The first three compounds interacted effectively and could form very promising chemicals that could be used one day against pathogenic bacteria in the future.
... Bees also employ propolis to guard against microbial diseases in their comb, honey storage, and larvae [6,7]. To provide a smooth, germ-free surface, it is also used to clean the parts of the hive where the comb is linked to an object [8,9]. Furthermore, honey bees utilize it to prevent the decomposition of invader carcasses in hives [10,11] and to keep the interior hive temperature [12,13] at about 35 °C [14,15]. ...
This is an Open Access Journal / article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. All rights reserved. \ Propolis contains polyphenolic components such as phenols and flavonoids, which have a wide range of biological actions such as antioxidant, antibacterial, and many more. In this study, the ethanolic extract of Kashmiri propolis (EEKP) from Cerana indica honeybees was examined for its total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antifungal activity. TPC and TFC contents were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. The TPC was 302.8 ± 1.05 mg GAE/g and the TFC was 182.25 ± 0.95 mg RE/g. The FT-IR spectra of EEKP show functional characteristic peaks for alcohols, carboxylic acids, aromatic chemicals, alkanes, alkenes, amines, phenols, sulfones, and sulfonyl chlorides, indicating the presence of several different compounds. EEKP's antifungal efficacy was assessed against many fungus strains. The highest zone of inhibition was shown by Candida albicans (17.67 mm) followed by Candida parapsilosis (16.67 mm), Candida glabrata(16.33 mm), and Cryptococcus neoformans (15.67 mm) at 400 µg/mL.The antioxidant and antifungal action of EEKP may be produced by the presence of phenols and flavonoids, which can also be employed to treat microbial infections and control human pathogenesis brought on by oxidative stress.
... Propolis is not a new discovery in medicine and has a long history. The rst reports of the use of propolis as a medicine date back to 300 BC, which was used as a local and common medicine in all parts of the world in internal and external applications (Sforcin 2007). ...
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of oral European Propolis supplementation on health status, growth performance, hematological, and serum biochemical variables of neonatal dairy calves.
Twenty-four neonatal dairy calves were enrolled in this study from 48 hours after birth until seven days old. A complete clinical examination was performed daily during the study, by the same person. Blood sampling, body measurements, and lung ultrasonography were conducted on days 0,7,14 and 28. The concentrations of albumin, total protein, total immunoglobulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, urea, creatinine, inorganic phosphate, and activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase were measured.
PEE supplementation had no significant effect on body weight, daily weight gain, length, and height (P > 0.05). Pulmonary examination scores by ultrasonography for subclinical pneumonia in this study showed a significant difference at different times of examination. However, no significant difference between treatment and control groups. Days with navel ill infection were significantly lower in the propolis treatment group in comparison with control (P value = 0.016). There was not any significant difference concerning days in fever and diarrhea between trial groups (P value = 0.44 and 0.15, respectively).
There was not a significant difference in hematological and biochemical variables between trial groups. Our results suggest that European Propolis had no positive effects on growth performance, hematological, and biochemical blood variables. In conclusion, supplementation of the Propolis may be beneficial for better navel ill diseases control in new- born dairy calves. Even though, further studies are needed to clarify propolis effects.
... Propolis (bee glue) is a complex biological mixture produced by European honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) after collecting exudates from flowers and leaf buds of various plant species. Propolis plays an important role as a building and defensive material that bees use to fill up cracks, smooth the internal hive walls, repair and seal up the honeycomb cells, and embalm the corpses of invaders who have penetrated and died inside the hive (Sforcin, 2007;Wagh, 2013;Topuzova et al., 2021). In order to produce propolis, the worker bees transport the plant material to the hive and mix it with beeswax and saliva secreted from their salivary glands, thereby obtaining a substance with a sticky consistency. ...
Propolis (bee glue), a valuable biological mixture produced by European honey bees (Apis mellifera L.), is widely used as a remedy in traditional and alternative medicine, as an effective food biopreservative and as a nutritional value enhancer. The present study aimed to investigate eighty propolis samples collected from all twenty-eight districts of Bulgaria in the period of 2020-2022 in order to determine their physicochemical properties as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. The raw propolis samples exhibited brown or green colour depending on the climatic zone from which they are collected and pH values from 4.82 to 5.87, while the moisture content ranged between 0.98% and 2.97%. The total phenolics content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) varied from 63.14 mg GAE/g to 737.27 mg GAE/g, and from 29.22 mg QE/g to 234.17 mg QE/g,
respectively. The propolis samples demonstrated significant antioxidant potential determined by DPPH and FRAP methods, from 18.56 mM TE/g to 1598.66 mM TE/g and from 82.28 mM TE/g to 1208.81 mM TE/g, respectively, whose values showed a positive correlation (r2 ) with the TPC and TFC. The results from the antimicrobial screening revealed that the methanolic propolis extracts in concentration of 20 mg/ml exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on the Gram-positive bacteria such as Micrococcus luteus 2YC-YT, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Listeria monocytogenes NBIMCC 8632 and Listeria innocua ATCC 33090.
... Propolis is a natural resinous product collected by honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) from various plants and then mixed with salivary and enzymatic secretions [11]. It is composed of resin, wax essential oils, pollen, and organic compounds [12]. ...
The objective of this paper was to study the phyto-inhibitory and antimicrobial activity of brown propolis collected from the counties of four regions in Romania. The main physico-chemical and functional properties of 16 samples of propolis from different landforms of geographical regions were determined. Their antimicrobial activities were established against 5 bacterial strains (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Proteus mirabilis) and 5 fungal strains (Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Mucor racemosus, and Aspergillus niger). Simultaneously, the phyto-inhibitory effect of propolis samples on different cereals was highlighted: hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), maize (Zea mays L.), oats (Avena sativa L.), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Correlations between the antioxidant activity and total flavonoid and phenol content of the propolis samples were identified, respectively, and the statistical analysis highlighted that the diameter of the inhibition zone was influenced by the strain type (bacterial and fungal) and the geographical regions of propolis. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that out of seven principal components, only two exhibited > 0.5. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed a low and moderate positive linear relationship between the diameter of the inhibition zone and the flavonoid and phenol concentration of the propolis samples.
... 60 This composition of propolis is involved in cell-cycle arrest, hault of matrix metalloproteinases, antiangiogenesis consequence and inhibit transfer of cancer cells from their origin to other body parts. 61 Propolis has capability to halt DNA synthesis in cancer cells and the activity to cause aging of tumour cells (programmed cell death) and have the ability to place into action the white blood cells for engendering those molecules which are involved in the regulating the function of B, T, and natural killer cells. 62 Several other compounds which are present in propolis including galangin, cardanol, nemorosone, caffeic acid, gallic acid, benzoic acid, and hespertin are involved to avoid the speedy division of cancer cells. ...
Propolis is a resinous mixture collected by honey bees from different flowers, buds, fruits, and several other parts of plant. The bees bring it to their hive on their hind legs, just like pollen. They mix it with their own wax and saliva, resulting in the formation of propolis. Propolis has an extremely complex chemical composition that includes flavonoids, phenolic acids, their esters, ketones, alcohols, amino acids, and several other inorganic compounds, making it a good Pharmacologicallyuseful compound for dealing with various hepatic disorders. Propolis protects liver toxicity by reducing the free radicals by its magical Activitiescompounds. Propolis possess antioxidative, antiulcer, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities induced by several xenobiotics and has shown to be a magical remedy in handling and inhibition of several disorders of liver related to severe clinical stages, from acute liver failure to hepatocellular carcinoma.
... Brazilian propolis extracts can have anti-inflammatory, pro-inflammatory, or immunoregulatory effects on the immune system. The effects which predominate generally depend on the extract concentration [73][74][75][76][77][78][79]. In a study by Hori et al. [32], Brazilian green propolis EPP-AF ® produced an anti-inflammatory effect at lower concentrations (30 and 100 µg/mL) and a cytotoxic effect at a higher concentration (300 µg/mL). ...
Propolis is known for its immunomodulatory properties. We investigated the effects of three recently developed propolis extract formulations: polar propolis fraction (PPF), soluble propolis dry extract (PSDE), and microencapsulated propolis extract (MPE), and some of their components, on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production in a macrophage model. Bone marrow cell-derived macrophages (BMDM) in cell culture were E. coli lipopolysaccharide (500 ng/mL) stimulated for two hours and subsequently incubated for 20 hours with one of the three propolis extract formulations (1, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 300 µg/mL) or with isolated propolis components (caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, artepillin C, or baccharin) (10, 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL) to determine how they affected secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. PPF increased IL-6 and IL-10 levels. PSDE increased IL-6 and IL-10 at lower concentrations, while at higher concentrations it increased TNF-α and decreased IL-10. MPE increased IL-10. Caffeic acid and PPF increased both IL-6 and IL-10. Artepillin C and PSDE decreased IL-10. Baccharin and MPE increased IL-10. Baccharin also decreased IL-6. p-coumaric acid did not affect secretion of these cytokines. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production by the different propolis extracts differed; however, all three propolis extract formulations have potential as immunomodulatory agents in food supplement and pharmaceutical products.
... Propolis phytochemicals contribute to a wide range of health-promoting properties such as antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antivirus, antimicrobial, antitumoral, immunomodulatory, anti-allergic, antidiabetic properties, as well as neuroprotective, renoprotective, dermal protective, gastroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities [23][24][25]. Additionally, the possible effects of propolis against COVID-19 have been proposed [26]. ...
Propolis, a resinous, dark-colored product produced by honeybees has been gaining attention in terms of its multiple proven health benefits. This natural product has different types and varieties but close to similar chemical compositions according to the environment and location where it is produced, as well as its plant source. It is mainly composed of resinous, balsamic, and gummy materials, waxes and essential oils, and pollen from the plants. Propolis contains plenty of polyphenols and it’s a rich source of magnesium, calcium, iodine, potassium, sodium, copper, zinc, manganese, and iron as well as thiamin, riboflavin, vitamins B6, C, E, D, and provitamin A. It has been proven that propolis may help to reduce diet-induced obesity through its caffeic acid content. Studies proved the antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antifungal, and antitumor effects of propolis and positive outcomes on diet-induced obesity, and diabetes. In this review, we aim to explain propolis extensively in terms of its types, chemical composition, bioactive compounds, digestion, health benefits on obesity and diabetes, as well as possible drug interactions, dosage, and safety.
... El contenido de cera en el propóleo es muy variable, con reportes de 5 a 50% (Farré et al., 2004;Sforcin, 2007;Lozina et al., 2010;Aliboni et al., 2011;Bonvehi y Gutiérrez, 2011). En un estudio de propóleos de origen holandes en donde se analizaron 27 muestras, de distintos apiarios, el contenido de cera osciló entre el 1% y el 42.5% promediando 11.1% (Hogendoorn et al., 2013). ...
Esta investigación evaluó las propiedades físico-químicas de propóleos de origen dominicano
recolectados en tres apiarios del noroeste del país, como parte de una iniciativa para aportar
información a las propiedades de estos, su composición química y para la tipificación de estos de
acuerdo a su ecosistema de origen. Para esto se evaluaron los siguientes parámetros
fisicoquímicos: humedad, contenido de cenizas, ceras, resinas, impurezas mecánicas, tiempo de
oxidación, contenido total de fenoles y flavonoides. Las muestras representativas de bosque seco,
bosque húmedo con pastos y manglar presentaron respectivamente valores de humedad de 1.33%
±0.07, 1.53% ±0.06 y 0.70% ±0.70, cenizas de 3.37% ,1.08% y 2.06%, ceras de 36.74% ±1.22,
45.90% ±0.12 y 43.50% ±2.22, resinas de 33.70% ±0.06, 42.12% ±3.57 y 35.08% ±7.21,
impurezas mecánicas de 24.76% ±1.04, 9.30% ±0.58 y 18.60% ±0.26, tiempo de oxidación de
12.5s ±0.7, 44.5s ±0.7 y 17s ±1.4. Estos valores corresponden al ambiente de la zona de
muestreo y a la condiciones de recolección de las mismas. En el análisis superficial de las
cenizas a través de microscopía electrónica de barrido no se encontraron metales pesados. Se
elaboraron extractos hidroalcohólicos y blandos de propóleo para replicar los productos
disponibles en el mercado. Las propiedades biológicas atribuidas al propóleo dependen del
contenido de fenoles y flavonoides en estos. Al ser analizados, estos presentaron valores de
compuestos fenólicos y flavonoides dentro del parámetro de la norma IRAM. Al ser analizados
estos contenidos en las muestras obtuvimos resultados favorables que podrían potenciar este
producto para su utilización a nivel industrial.
Palabras claves
Propóleo, Caracterización físico-química, Contenido de flavonoides, Contenido de fenoles,
Apicultura
... Propolis often has stronger properties on respiratory conditions than medicinal substances that have been targeted at these conditions. [18,19] The role of propolis is to stimulate immunological factors, both non-specific and specific, so that imbalances in the bacterial flora will be avoided, and this will lead to an increase in the general resistance of the whole body to disease. ...
... It has several pharmacological properties and the possibility of application in the pharmaceutical and food industries, although it has been used in folk medicine since ancient times (14). The immunomodulatory action of propolis on macrophages, monocytes, natural killer cells, DCs, and neutrophils has been widely reported, but its effects on T lymphocytes have been less investigated (15)(16)(17). ...
Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells that drive the differentiation of T CD4+ cells into different profiles according to the nature of the antigen or immunomodulator. Propolis is a resinous product made by bees that has numerous pharmacological properties, including an immunomodulatory action. To assess whether propolis can modulate the activation of CD4+ T cells by stimulating DCs with heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit (EtxB) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms affected by propolis in the differential activation of T lymphocytes. Cell viability, lymphocyte proliferation, gene expression (GATA-3 and RORc), and cytokine production (interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17A) were analyzed. Propolis, EtxB, and LPS induced a higher lymphoproliferation compared with the control. Propolis induced GATA-3 expression and, in combination with EtxB, maintained the baseline levels. Propolis alone or in combination with LPS inhibited RORc expression. EtxB alone and in combination with propolis increased IL-4 production. Propolis in combination with LPS prevented LPS-induced IL-17A production. These results opened perspectives for the study of biological events that may be favored by propolis by promoting Th2 activation or helping in the treatment of inflammatory conditions mediated by Th17 cells.
... Apitherapy is the use of bee products such as honey, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, bee venom and beeswax for medical purposes and is as old as beekeeping. [1][2][3][4][5] Propolis is collected from various resinous trees and plants by bees; due to content of flavonoids and phenolics, it has antibacterial, antiviral, antitumoral effects. 6 Pollen is a powder-like natural bee product with a content of phytochemicals, produced by bees from flowering plants mixing with nectar and bee secretions, and has different physiological and pharmacological activities. ...
The positive effects of bee products on human health are due to their antioxidant composition. However, their possible protective efficacy against t-butylhydroxyperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative damage on human erythrocytes has not been investigated. Our aim in this study is to investigate whether propolis, pollen and royal jelly have protective efficacy against t-BHP-induced oxidative damage in isolated erythrocytes. Propolis and pollen samples collected from various regions of Turkey were extracted by mixing with various solvents (water and ethanol). Commercially purchased royal jelly was also extracted with water. The erythrocytes collected from 15 volunteers were centrifuged and packaged by washing with isotonic saline. All RBC packets were pooled together. The final erythrocyte packet was divided into seven groups as control, water extract of propolis, ethanolic extract of propolis, water extract of pollen, water extract of royal jelly, positive control (quercetin) and t-BHP groups. Erythrocytes were first treated with extracts of bee products and then t-BHP was added. Protective activities of bee products were investigated by malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant capacity (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. Statistically, one way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests were applied. As a result of the study, it was found that all bee products contributed to keeping MDA levels close to the control group. (p
... É pouco provável que a própolis induza reações alérgicas (Shi et al., 2016), embora tenham sido relatados casos isolados de dermatite atópica (Sforcin, 2007). Münstedt, Bargello e Hauenschild (2007) relataram que a alergia de contato à própolis é comum entre os apicultores, embora estes não pareçam reconhecê-la como um problema nem tomem medidas para se proteger. ...
Os produtos apícolas têm sido utilizados há séculos por vários povos para o tratamento de diversas enfermidades. Nos dias atuais, seu consumo vem aumentando, seja na forma de suplementos para prevenção ou tratamento de doenças, seja como nutracêuticos. As pesquisas sobre as propriedades dos produtos apícolas também cresceram nas últimas décadas, com consequente aumento do interesse pela apiterapia, que atualmente integra o rol de atividades de medicina complementar de vários países. Experimentos realizados in vitro e in vivo, bem como ensaios clínicos, têm demonstrado que esses produtos podem ser indicados para o tratamento de várias enfermidades ou associados a tratamentos convencionais para manutenção da saúde. Visando estabelecer uma ponte entre apicultores, apiterapeutas e pesquisadores, este livro apresenta informações sobre os produtos apícolas, as evidências científicas de seu uso pelas abelhas e pelo homem e as aplicações desses produtos na apiterapia.
... It also boosts immune function by stimulating phagocytes, followed by cell-mediated immunity, which may explain the healing of aphthous stomatitis by improving one of its triggers, the weakened immune system. The various enzyme systems in propolis, such as B-complex vitamins, pro-vitamin A, arginine, and minerals such as copper, iron, zinc, and riboflavonoids, are involved in cell metabolism and collagen production, can cause ulcers to heal faster (32,36,37). Another reason for the pain relief and shortening time of ulcer healing in patients receiving propolis can be attributed to the mucosal surface covering, which prevents aphthous ulcer irritation. ...
... In the same study, the inflammation-reducing effect of propolis components was shown to be dose dependent (12). Sforcin found that the short-term administration of propolis provided better results for the immune system (13). In another study, Askari et al. reported that the effects of oral propolis were dose dependent and increased adhesion through anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects in parallel to the increase in dose (14). ...
... Propolis is a resin produced from shoots, leaves and exudate of trees and plants mixed with pollen, a mixture of wax and salivary secretions of bees, Trigona sp p. (Lotfy, 2006). Propolis has been used in worldwide and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity (Araújo et al., 2010;;Pagliarone et al., 2009;Sforcin, 2007). This is because propolis contains flavonoids and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) (da Silva Cunha et al., 2006;Daugsch et al., 2008) which have been shown to inhibit the cytokines production, and chemokines, reduce T cell proliferation and lymphokine production. ...
Propolis has been used in various traditional medicines throughout the world and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity due to its flavonoid and CAPE content. Naringenin on Tangerines Stone 55 ( Citrus reticulata Blanco ) is a flavonoid glycoside that has the potential as an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator . Functional drinks from these 2 ingredients can be an anti-inflammatory treatment. By using Maceration Extraction, extraction was carried out with variations in the ratio of water and propolis of 1:5, 1:10 and 1:15 within 15 minutes, 30 minutes and 45 minutes at 50 o C, 60 o C and 70 o C. Conditions optimum extraction with the highest phenolic content ( 4.88 mg GAE/g ) at 30 °C, for 45.00 minutes, and the water:propolis ratio was 1:5. While the total flavonoids were highest at the water:propolis ratio 1:5 for 30 minutes at 50°C (0 . 46 mg QE/g).
... Researchers have reported that propolis has an antitumor effect in vivo and in vitro (Sforcin, 2007). Some of the components of propolis that provide antitumor potential are caffeic acid, phenethyl ester, and chrysin. ...
... These findings could be explained by the effect of propolis on C. albicans dimorphism, provoking the transition of more pathogenic forms, these being pseudohyphae and hyphae to yeasts, by affecting the immune system [30]. This phenotypic change from hyphae and pseudohyphae to yeasts is induced by propolis without quantitative reduction in CFU/mL [13]. ...
Statement of the problem:
Natural products have attracted interest as an alternative to synthetic medi-cations for the treatment of oral diseases due to their efficacy and safety. Propolis and pomegranate extracts have both demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of denture stomatitis. However, use of the two compounds together has not been tested for this purpose.
Purpose:
A comparison was made of the efficacy of a commercially available propolis-pomegranate buccal spray formulation for the treatment of denture stomatitis, compared with miconazole gel, based on stomatitis lesions and Candida spp. concentrations in mouth rinses.
Materials and method:
This was an experimental study, characterized as an open-label, parallel two-armed, non-inferiority randomized clinical trial. Forty elderly adults aged < 60 years with denture stoma-titis were randomly allocated to two groups. The patients applied a buccal spray containing 0.5% propo-lis and 0.9% pomegranate extracts or 2% miconazole gel, a standard treatment recommended in Brazil, to the inner surface of their dentures three times a day for 14 days. They were examined at days 1, 7, 14 and stomatitis lesions were categorized according to Newton's score. Mouth rinses were made with saline solution at days 1 and 14 and then assessed for Candida spp.
Results:
Both treatments reduced the Newton's score, with clinical cure rates of 75 and 40% for the miconazole and propolis-pomegranate groups, respectively. The Candida concentrations in the mouth rinse decreased significantly only in the miconazole group.
Conclusion:
The propolis-pomegranate spray was less effective than the miconazole treatment. Howev-er, clinical improvement was also observed in patients treated with the propolis-pomegranate buccal spray.
... The modulation of the immune response has been an approach for treating several diseases, and natural products have been investigated for their immunomodulatory action [17][18][19]. Our research group has been studying propolis for almost 30 years [1,2,6,20]. ...
Background:
Propolis exhibits huge potential in the pharmaceutical industry. In the present study, its effects were investigated on dendritic cells (DCs) stimulated with a tumor antigen (MAGE-1) and retinoic acid (RA) and on T lymphocytes to observe a possible differential activation of T lymphocytes, driving preferentially to Th1 or Treg cells.
Methods:
Cell viability, lymphocyte proliferation, gene expression (T-bet and FoxP3), and cytokine production by DCs (TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6 and IL-1β) and lymphocytes (IFN-γ and TGF-β) were analyzed.
Results:
MAGE-1 and RA alone or in combination with propolis inhibited TNF-α production and induced a higher lymphoproliferation compared to control, while MAGE-1 + propolis induced IL-6 production. Propolis in combination with RA induced FoxP3 expression. MAGE-1 induced IFN-γ production while propolis inhibited it, returning to basal levels. RA inhibited TGF-β production, what was counteracted by propolis.
Conclusion:
Propolis affected immunological parameters inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and favoring the regulatory profile, opening perspectives for the control of inflammatory conditions.
... Propolis action on immune cells isolated from rats, mice and humans has been well documented in vivo [33,75] ; however, studies assessing MRSA coculture with immune cells are rare. ...
Objectives
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a multidrug-resistant pathogen in nosocomial infections. Since the 1950s, MRSA has acquired several resistance factors including efflux pumps and drug target modifications. Some studies investigated the anti-MRSA capacity of propolis samples collected in different regions and their immunomodulatory action. The aim of this review is to gather the data published up to August 2022 about propolis action on MRSA strains and its modulatory action on phagocytes.
Methods
The PubMed database was used to look for articles containing the keywords ‘propolis’, ‘immunomodulation’, ‘MRSA’ and the name of each compound. As propolis contains a variety of compounds making it impossible to isolate the major bioactive components, we reviewed the main compounds found in several propolis samples and their mechanisms towards the resistance factors displayed by MRSA. Some perspectives for using propolis-based medications and the formulation of new antimicrobial/immunomodulatory agents are discussed.
Key findings
Propolis extracts and active compounds exert antibacterial action over MRSA strains acting on resistance factors. Moreover, propolis modulates pro-inflammatory markers in phagocytes.
Conclusions
Because propolis compounds may act synergistically, it’s crucial to understand how these components interact to synthesize standardized formulations and enhance their bioavailability for clinical applications to combat MRSA.
... Propolis, are sinous glue used in beehive construction and protection against infections, is rich in phenolic compounds, alcohol, flavonoids and terpenes. Propolis from the beehive of A. mellifera (Portuguese propolis) (Massaro et al., 2015), Brazilian stingless bee Tetragonisca fiebrigi Swarz, Melipona orbignyi, (Possamai et al., 2013) and Indian propolis from Trigona sp., have been evaluated for antioxidant, antiinflammatory antimicrobial, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antiangiogenic, and immunomodulatory properties (Akhir et al., 2017;Bonamigo et al., 2017;Campos et al., 2014;Ophori et al., 2010;Sampietro et al., 2016;Sforcin, 2007Sforcin, , 2016. ...
Insects being the most successful evolutionary group occupy almost every conceivable niche that could only be possible through a series of exceptional successful adaptations. One of the major factors responsible for their successful survival is their chemical armoury that can be de novo synthesised or sequestered from their host. Insects are known to harbour a large variety of defensive chemicals that are not only used as protection against their predator but also have pharmacological significance. Despite such diversity and rich chemical armoury, it remains underexplored in terms of pharmacological research. We offer in this chapter an overview of functional and chemical classification of insect toxins largely focusing on the chemical nature of the bioactive compounds, i.e. antimicrobial, antiproliferative, antitumour, antiinflammatory, and antiviral activity, involved in defence are discussed. By listing and discussing the numerous insect chemicals with pharmacological implications and potentials, we hope there will be an increased interest in research as well as greater industrial focus on using this untapped resource as a source of new drugs.KeywordsEntmotherapyChemical defenceToxinsDrugsDefensive secretions
... Entidades privadas e públicas buscam alternativas como associação com produtos naturais acessíveis ou somente estes, um exemplo que vem sendo muito estudado é a própolis devido suas propriedades (Santos et al., 2017). Contudo, é fundamental estabelecer e padronizar doses e extratos (Sforcin, 2007;Watanabe et al., 2011). ...
O objetivo do presente artigo foi avaliar se a própolis comercial é eficiente em inibir o crescimento bacteriano in vitro das bactérias Staphylococcus aureus e Salmonella Typhimurium, sendo que o delineamento experimental constituído por esquema fatorial foi de 2 (dias) x 2 (bactérias) x 4 (marcas de própolis comerciais) x 8 (distribuição das própolis comerciais nas placas). Com os resultados demostrou-se ausência de halo de inibição em todas as placas de petri avaliadas das quatro marcas comerciais de própolis. Concluindo-se que, para a metodologia a qual foi aplicada o resultado do experimento apresentou-se insatisfatório. Contudo, diversos outros autores encontraram potencial antimicrobiano sendo que a grande maioria utilizou a própolis bruta em distintas concentrações, logo é essencial realizar mais estudos aprofundados além disso, a referida temática possui grande relevância perante o risco iminente diante de uma resistência antimicrobiana.
... Propolis has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on tumor cells, with its flavonoid content protecting against the toxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents and radiation. One study reported that propolis enhanced the effect of chemotherapy and eliminated its side effects on leukocytes, the liver, and kidneys, enabling high-dose administration [20]. ...
To examine the effects of 50 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg of propolis on ovarian folliculogenesis, p53 expression, and serum luteinising hormone (LH) and progesterone (P) levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) modeled rats. Twenty-four Wistar female rats were divided into 4 experimental groups: Group 1 (G1, Control), Group 2 (G2, PCOS), Group 3 (G3, PCOS + 50 mg/kg propolis), and Group 4 (G4, PCOS + 150 mg/kg propolis). The PCOS model was induced via the administration of letrozole for 21 days. After 21 days, G3 and G4 received propolis (50 mg/kg or 150 mg/kg) by oral gavage for 10 days. Daily oestrous cycles were assessed to monitor PCOS formation. Histological examinations were carried out using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson Trichrome (MT) staining. Ovarian follicles and corpus luteum (CL) structures were investigated. P and LH serum levels were determined by ELISA. A significant increase was observed in the number of cystic follicles in G2 compared to G1 (p < 0.001). Treatment with 50 mg/kg of propolis significantly ameliorated the elevated number of cystic and primary follicles seen in G2 (p < 0.001). Furthermore, G2 demonstrated a significant decrease in the number of CL structures (p < 0.05). Serum LH levels were significantly higher in G4 compared to both G1 and G2 (p < 0.01). No significant change was observed in circulating P levels. No p53 immunoreactivity was observed in any group. Low concentrations of propolis cannot completely improve the hormone profile and p53 expression associated with PCOS; however, these concentrations can control ovarian follicular cell architecture.
... Interestingly, it has been shown that these key biochemical events may suffer nutritional influences, suggesting a role for nutrition interventions in targeting these processes for disease management. Propolis, a natural substance produced by Apis mellifera bees and used for centuries for human well-being (Kuropatnicki et al., 2013;Berretta et al., 2017), represents an example of substance with a variety of pharmacological and biological properties which can, potentially be used as a drug (Sforcin and Bankova, 2011), namely anti-inflammatory (Paulino et al., 2008;Hori et al., 2013), antioxidant (Kuropatnicki et al., 2013;Diniz et al., 2020) and immunoregulatory activities (Sforcin, 2007;Machado et al., 2012), among several others, justifying its classification as a functional food (Berretta et al., 2017;Irigoiti et al., 2021). Therefore, propolis supplementation has been assessed in several studies as a countermeasure to the underlying pathological processes associated with diseases, showing beneficial activities in cardiovascular and neurological disorders such as PD (Przybyłek and Karpiński, 2019;Ali and Kunugi, 2020;Gonçalves et al., 2020;Bhargava et al., 2021). ...
While there is sustained growth of the older population worldwide, ageing is a consistent risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s-disease (PD). Considered an emblematic movement disorder, PD comprises a miscellany of non-motor symptoms, for which effective management remains an unfulfilled need in clinical practice. Highlighted are the cardiovascular abnormalities, that cause significant burden in PD patients. Evidence suggests that key biological processes underlying PD pathophysiology can be modulated by diet-derived bioactive compounds, such as green propolis, a natural functional food with biological and pharmacological properties. The effects of propolis on cardiac affection associated to PD have received little coverage. In this study, a metabolomics approach and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging were used to assess the metabolic response to diet supplementation with green propolis on heart outcomes of rats with Parkinsonism induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA rats). Untargeted metabolomics approach revealed four cardiac metabolites (2-hydroxybutyric acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, monoacylglycerol and alanine) that were significantly modified between animal groups (6-OHDA, 6-OHDA + Propolis and sham). Propolis-induced changes in the level of these cardiac metabolites suggest beneficial effects of diet intervention. From the metabolites affected, functional analysis identified changes in propanoate metabolism (a key carbohydrate metabolism related metabolic pathway), glucose-alanine cycle, protein and fatty acid biosynthesis, energy metabolism, glutathione metabolism and urea cycle. PET imaging detected higher glucose metabolism in the 17 areas of the left ventricle of all rats treated with propolis, substantially contrasting from those rats that did not consume propolis. Our results bring new insights into cardiac metabolic substrates and pathways involved in the mechanisms of the effects of propolis in experimental PD and provide potential novel targets for research in the quest for future therapeutic strategies.
... Propolis has shown great therapeutic effects and is widely used in the food and medicine industry. Its biological effects include anti-inflammatory (16), antibacterial (17,18) antifungal (19), antioxidant (20), antidiabetic (21), and anticancer activities (22); it is also known as an immune system booster (23). In addition, propolis has a strong antioxidant activity. ...
Background: Betatrophin/angiopoietin-like protein (ANGPTL8) is defined as an adipokine that regulates blood glucose and triglyceride levels. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of propolis supplementation for the first time on serum levels of the hormone betatrophin, as a drug target in the treatment of dyslipidemia, in male endurance athletes for four weeks. Methods: 44 male athletes with an average age of 22 ± 3 years, a height of 177.5 ± 6.5 cm, and a weight of 76 ± 6 kg were selected in Qazvin. They were randomly divided into four groups: Supplementation, placebo, physical activity, and control. The supplementation and placebo groups received two 500 mg tablets of propolis and cellulose (in terms of shape and color, are similar to the original supplement and have no properties, flavor, and aroma) once after lunch and once after dinner, respectively. The drug treatment lasted for four weeks. The athletes' weight and serum levels of betatrophin were measured at the beginning and the end of 4 weeks of treatment. The ELISA method was used to assess the serum concentration of betatrophin. Analyzes were performed by the ANCOVA method. Results: The results showed that the long-term endurance training plus propolis supplementation would result in significant changes in the betatrophin serum levels and weight in participants (P = 0.001), but in the athletes without supplementation, these changes were not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The results indicated that betatrophin serum levels in endurance athletes are increased by propolis supplementation, and their weight is decreased.
... A propolisz antibakteriális, antimikotikus és antivirális hatású, továbbá jótékony biológiai hatások széles skálájával rendelkezik: gyulladáscsökkentő, antioxidáns, helyi érzéstelenítő, biofilmképződést gátló, tumorellenes (citotoxikus), immunstimuláló/immunmoduláló, görcsoldó, fogszuvasodást gátló, hepatoprotektív, antidiabetikus és antiszeptikus hatású [1,10,16,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. ...
Introduction:
Propolis is a resinous substance collected by bees. Its use is widespread in cosmetics and natural medicine because of variable beneficial effects. Local application and consumption may cause hypersensitivity.
Objective:
Aim of this study was to analyze the 30-year data of patients with propolis hypersensitivity.
Method:
17 784 patients were patch tested between 1992 and 2021 in the Allergology Outpatient Unit of the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology of the Semmelweis University. 464 patients (2.6%) had propolis sensibility. We present the annual changes in the frequency of propolis sensibility, the typical diagnoses, age groups, localizations most affected by clinical symptoms and the co-hypersensitivities according to propolis sensibility.
Results:
In the 30-year period, the sensitization frequency of propolis was on average 2.6%; in 2019-2021, we detected a sudden increase (6.2%, 8.4%, 6.9%). Female predominance was typical (70.7%). Most patients belonged to the age group 51-60 years (24.6%), the mean age was 52.5 years. Most skin symptoms appeared on hands (34.2%), legs (18.4%), and face (17.5%). Regarding co-hypersensitivities, fragrance mix I (27.7%), balsam of Peru (26.8%) and wood tar (23.0%) can be mentioned.
Conclusion:
The general need for biocosmetics, complementary and alternative medicine raises the exposure of propolis. The risk of contact hypersensitivity is increased because propolis products are used mostly on inflamed skin with higher allergen penetration. According to our results, propolis - beside its advantageous properties - is an important environmental allergen, especially among elderly women. Propolis sensibility, the possible cross- and co-hypersensitivities can cause contact dermatitis or may worsen different skin diseases. Propolis sensibility can be verified by patch testing. Orv Hetil. 2022; 163(39): 1559-1567.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mainly affects respiratory tracts including the trachea and lungs. As inflammation and cytokine storm are major pathological features in a Syrian hamster for SARS-CoV-2 infection, reducing inflammatory responses or antiviral therapy is an effective strategy for treating SARS-CoV-2 infections. Herbal medicines and natural substances are applied worldwide due to their health-beneficial effects. Although chemical and pharmacological verifications have not been made for all substances, the pharmacological effects of many substances are being studied. In this study, Boswellia serrata, Commiphora myrrha, and propolis known to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties were selected as candidates for therapeutic herbal medicine targeting SARS-CoV-2. When this herbal mixture was treated to SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero E6 and Calu-3 cells, effective antiviral effects were demonstrated. Next, this herbal mixture was administered to SARS-CoV-2-infected Syrian hamsters, and histopathological lesions were significantly reduced. Viral spike protein and viral enzyme gene were also significantly less detected in immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR results, respectively. Thus, it can be concluded that a mixture of Boswellia serrata, Commiphora myrrha, and propolis as natural substances has the potential to reduce lesions of respiratory tracts upon SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The increase in health problems related to nutrition directs consumers to more
natural and healthy food additives. Sugars, organic acids, and aroma compounds
in honey are among the reasons why honey is preferred as a component in food
production. In addition to the unique chemical properties of honey, some physical properties
make it difficult to use honey as a component in the food industry. For example,
the increase in water activity during storage causes natural crystallization and a decrease
in the shelf life of honey. Honey powder, which is characterized by its long shelf life, is
an important alternative to liquid honey. Because dried honey can be directly consumed
in powder form; it can be applied as an additive to a variety of food products such as
drinks, yogurts, snacks, sauces, edible coatings, and dietary supplements. In the literature,
it is reported that powdered honey is used as a food additive in turkey meat, bread, cake,
cookie, and some beverages. In this section, general information about the conversion
of liquid honey to powder honey is given and studies on the use of honey powder as a
natural additive in foods are examined. The studies are presented by classifying them with
similar food groups.
The aim of this study was to identify propolis compounds after incubation of normal and tumor cells (monocytes and HEp-2 cells, respectively) with Brazilian green propolis, in the lysate and supernatant of cell cultures and within these cells by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Cinnamic acid derivatives were generally localised in the lysate of both cell lines after incubation, suggesting these compounds are actively transported across the membrane into the cytoplasm. Terpenes were also found in the lysate. Artepillin C, in contrast, was localised only in the supernatant. Some constituents were unobservable after incubation, especially in monocytes, suggesting the compounds had been degraded. Our findings shed light on the possible sites of action (intracellular or via a cell membrane protein) and the bioavailability of various constituents of propolis, as well as possible modes of delivery of bioactive constituents.
Ethnopharmacological relevance:
Propolis is a traditional natural medicine with various activities such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-tumour, gastroenteritis treatment and prevention, anti-microbial and parasitic, as well as glucose regulation and anti-diabetes, and is expected to be an anti-diabetic candidate with few side effects, but the mechanism of action of propolis on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been fully elucidated.
Aim of the study:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of the effect of ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) on the regulation of blood glucose in T2DM mice.
Materials and methods:
We studied the possible mechanism of EEP on T2DM using an animal model of T2DM induced by a combination of a high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The experiment was divided into four groups, namely, the normal group (HC), model group (T2DM), EEP and metformin group (MET). Biochemical indexes and cytokines were measured, and the differences of metabolites in the serum were compared by 1H-NMR. In addition, the diversity of intestinal flora in feces was studied by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing.
Results:
The results showed that following treatment with EEP and MET, the weight-loss trend of mice was alleviated, and the fasting blood glucose, insulin secretion level, insulin resistance index, C peptide level and oral glucose tolerance level decreased, whereas the insulin sensitivity index increased, thereby EEP effectively alleviated the occurrence of T2DM and insulin resistance. Compared with the T2DM group, the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) decreased significantly in EEP and MET groups, whereas the concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) increased significantly. Metabolomics results revealed that EEP and MET regulate carbohydrate metabolism and restore amino acid and lipid metabolism. Correlation analysis of intestinal flora in mouse feces showed that compared with the HC group, harmful bacteria such as Bilophila, Eubacterium_ventriosum_group, Mucispirillum and Desulfovibrio were found in the T2DM group, whereas the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus was significantly reduced. Parabacteroides, Akkermansia, Leuconostoc, and Alloprevotella were abundantly present in the EEP group; however, the MET group showed an increase in the genus Parasutterella, which could regulate energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
Conclusions:
The results showed that EEP and MET reduce fasting blood glucose in T2DM mice, followed by alleviating insulin resistance, improving the inflammatory reaction of mice, regulating the metabolism of mice, and affecting the steady state of gut microbiota. However, the overall therapeutic effect of EEP is better than that of MET.
A geoprópolis é um dos produtos feitos por abelhas sem ferrão. Ela possui composição química complexa, dependente da fitogeografia da região onde a abelha coleta o pólen. (CABRAL, 2014; SFORCIN et al 2017).
Osteoarthritis (OA), a progressive degenerative disease of weight-bearing joints, is the second leading cause of disability in the world. Despite all the advances and research over the last years, none of the proposed strategies has been effective in generating functional and long-lasting tissue. Due to the high prevalence of OA and the urgent need for an effective and successful treatment, interest in natural products as anti-inflammatory agents, such as propolis and its components, has emerged. In this work, we estimate the biomedical potential of Portuguese propolis, evaluating the in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of single hydroalcoholic extracts prepared with propolis from Gerês sampled over a five-year period (2011–2015) (G.EE70 and G.EE35). The in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory potential of the hydroalcoholic extract of mixtures of the same samples (mG.EE70 and mG.EE35) was evaluated for the first time too. DPPH• radical scavenging and superoxide anion scavenging assays showed the strong antioxidant potential of both hydroalcoholic extracts, either prepared from single propolis samples or from the mixtures of the same samples. Results also revealed an anti-inflammatory effect of mG.EE35, both in vitro by inhibiting BSA denaturation and in vivo in the OA-induced model by improving mechanical hyperalgesia as well as the gait pattern parameters. Results further support the use of propolis blends as a better and more efficient approach to take full advantage of the bioactive potential of propolis.
It was investigated the influence of hydrocortisone (40 mg/kg b wt) on bile secretion of acute experiment on rats. It was estimated that this
hormone promoted increasing of bile acids conjugation with taurin and glycine in rat hepatocytes and provided a minor choleretic effect. It should
be indicated that loading of mentioned dose improve solubilisating and colloidal properties of the bile. It was observed significant decrease of freebile-acid level under conditions of hydrocortisone-induced stress. It may be partially caused by inhibition effect of hormone on enzymatic system.
The main phenolic constituents from Brazilian propolis, originating from Sao Paulo State, were isolated and identified: three flavonoids, a prenylated coumaric acid and two new benzopyranes, E and Z 2,2-dimethyl-6-carboxyethenyl-8-prenyl-2H-benzopyranes.
A physiologically active substance has been isolated from Brazilian propolis and characterized as a new clerodane diterpenoid, as indicated by human hepatocellular carcinoma HuH 13 cell cytotoxicity assays. This compound inhibited growth of the hepatoma cells at a concentration around 10 μg/ml and arrested the tumor cells at S phase as revealed by flow cytometry. At higher concentrations it exerted lethal damage. The compound showed cytotoxicity on human lung carcinoma HLC-2, HeLa, KB and rat W3Y cells, whereas human diploid foreskin and primary rabbit kidney cells were less affected.
This study investigated the antibacterial activity of propolis produced by A. mellifera and Brazilian stingless bees, called "meliponíneos". Susceptibility tests to ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) were performed using bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus sp, and Escherichia coli) isolated from human infections. Dilution of EEP in agar (%v/v) was used for determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The stingless bee species (and common names) were: Nannotrigona testaceicornis ("Iraí"), Tetragonisca angustula ("Jataí"), Trigona spinipes ("Arapuá"), Scaptotrigona sp ("Tiúba"), Partamona sp ("Cupira"), Melipona scutellaris ("Uruçu"), Melipona sp ("Manduri"), and Melipona mandaçaia ("Mandaçaia"). EEP inhibitory efficiencies according to bacterial strains were: S. aureus - "Cupira" > "Manduri" = A. mellifera > "Uruçu" > "Mandaçaia" > "Iraí" > "Tiúba" > "Jataí" > "Arapuá" = Ethanol; Enterococcus sp - "Cupira" > "Manduri" > A. mellifera > "Mandaçaia" > "Uruçu" > "Tiúba" > "Jataí" > "Arapuá" = Ethanol; E. coli - "Manduri" > "Jataí" > Ethanol > A. mellifera > "Uruçu" > "Cupira" > "Iraí". Propolis produced by "Cupira" and "Manduri" bees showed higher antibacterial activity than A. mellifera.
During the extraction of propolis several factors were varied in order to determine how they affected the yield and phenolic composition of the obtained extracts. Six samples of green propolis from the Southeastern region of Brazil were tested. The results indicate that the highest yield of propolis extracts obtained by maceration, which also had the greatest number of components, were those using 70% (v/v) ethanol or more as a solvent. The Soxhlet extraction procedure resulted in even higher yields. No differences were observed between extracts macerated in the presence or absence of light. An increase in yield was observed between extracts macerated for 10 and 30 days although the phenolic content did not vary significantly. The total phenolic content of all extracts varied from 6.41 to 15.24 % but no direct correlation could be found between any of the factors tested.
Topical application of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAFE), a constituent of the propolis of honeybee hives, to the backs of CD-1 mice previously initiated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced tumor promotion and the formation of 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine (HMdU) in epidermal DNA. Topical application of 5 nmol TPA twice weekly for 20 weeks to mice previously initiated with 200 nmol of DMBA resulted in 18.8 skin papillomas per mouse. Topical application of 1, 10, 100 or 3000 nmol of CAFE together with 5 nmol of TPA twice a week for 20 weeks inhibited the number of skin papillomas per mouse by 24, 30, 45 or 70%, respectively, and tumor size per mouse was decreased by 42, 66, 53 or 74%, respectively. Topical application of 5 nmol of TPA twice weekly for 20 weeks to mice previously initiated with DMBA produced an average of 12.6 HMdU residues per 10(4) normal bases in epidermal DNA. Topical application of 1, 10, 100 or 3000 mmol of CAFE with 5 nmol of TPA twice weekly for 20 weeks to DMBA-initiated mice decreased the level of HMdU in epidermal DNA by 40-93%. The in vitro addition of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 or 20 mu M CAPE to cultured HeLa cells inhibited the synthesis of DNA by 32, 44, 66, 79 or 95%, respectively, the synthesis of RNA was inhibited by 39, 43, 58, 64 or 75%, respectively, and the synthesis of protein was inhibited by 29, 30, 37, 32 or 47%, respectively. The results indicate a potent inhibitory effect of CARE on TPA-induced tumor promotion and TPA-induced formation of HMdU in DNA of mouse skin as well as an inhibitory effect of CAFE on the synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein in cultured HeLa cells.
Propolis, a beehive product widely used in folk medicine as an antiinflammatory agent, has been attracting researchers' attention to scientifically elucidate its biological properties and therapeutic activities. The aim of this paper was to study the possible effect of propolis on natural killer activity, since propolis immunomodulatory action has been suggested, especially on non-specific immunity. Propolis was produced by africanized honeybees (Apis mellifera L.), collected throughout a whole year, and pooled by season. Hydroalcoholic solutions of propolis were prepared with each pool and administered to rats by gavage over three days. Natural killer activity of non-adherent spleen cells was evaluated by the 51 Cr-release cytotoxicity assay against Yac-1 target cells. Our results indicated that the natural killer activity was increased in spleen cells from propolis-treated animals. There were no significant differences related to the seasonal effect on the immunomodulatory action of propolis.
The effect of a complex of propolis constituents, cinnamic acid and L-lysine, on host defence mechanisms was investigated. After intraperitoneal (ip) application of cinnamic acid lysine complex (CN·Ly) to mice at a dose of 3 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days prior to inoculation with Klebsiella pneumoniae, a protective effect was observed. The action of CN·Ly was associated with its ability to provoke proliferation of thymic and splenic lymphocytes and to augment mitogen-induced proliferation, and the release of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). In all experiments, a solution of L-lysine in a concentration equivalent to the lysine content in the complex was used for comparison. The results indicated that free lysine acted in a mitogen-like manner predominantly on T-lymphocytes. In the complex, lysine played the role of a carrier and exhibited a less pronounced effect.
The seasonal variations in the chemical composition of Brazilian propolis, collected by two bee subspecies, Africanized Apis mellifera and European Apis mellifera ligustica, have been investigated by GC and GC-MS. The main components of the samples were phenolic compounds, especially cinnamic acid derivatives, the only exception being the autumn sample from Apis mellifera ligustica, where diterpenes predominated. In propolis from both subspecies, diterpenes appeared in summer and reached maximum percentage in autumn, but were absent during the other seasons. The results obtained indicated that both bee subspecies collect propolis from among the same group of plants, and that there are at least two important plant sources, but these remain unidentified. © Inra/DIB/AGIB/Elsevier, Paris
New information published since 1995 about propolis constituents is reviewed. The available information on the biological action of new found components is presented. Recent publications are reviewed on propolis of native South American stingless bees. The plant sources of bee glue are discussed, taking into consideration data based on reliable chemical evidence including comparisons between propolis samples and plant material. Some aspects of the chemical standardization of propolis are discussed.
This review aims to present an update of propolis properties, with emphasis on Brazilian samples. It also brings attention to points, such as standardization protocols and scientific evidence, that needed to be further investigated in order to broaden the potential therapeutic use of this bee product. Propolis became a traditional remedy in folk medicine. In recent decades a great interest has arisen in more knowledge about its composition and therapeutic activities. Its composition is very complex, varying with the geographic region, with more than 300 constituents having been identified to date. The biological activity of propolis is associated mainly with phenolic compounds such as flavonoids and derivatives of hydroxycinnamic acids. In recent years, Brazilian propolis became the subject of increasing interest, due to its unusual chemical composition when compared with samples from other countries. Several compounds isolated presented a variety of biological activities, such as microbicidal, antioxidant and antitumoral. Although there is a huge amount of information about the chemistry and biological activity of propolis, its application in human and veterinary therapies has hardly changed. Propolis is used both in human and veterinary clinics in Eastern Europe countries, Cuba and in Uruguay. Most of the therapeutic effect of this resin is associated with microbicidal properties and the ability to scavenge free radicals. A multidisciplinary study correlating chemical composition, basic plant sources in different geographic regions, as well as and biological and pharmacological activities, open the possibility of a classification of a limited number of "chemical types" of propolis which will be possible only with the combined effort of the national and international scientific communities.
The goal of this work was to investigate a possible synergistic effect between ethanolic extracts of propolis from Brazil and Bulgaria and some antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Ampicillin and Cefalexin) against Salmonella Typhi. Brazilian and Bulgarian propolis showed an antibacterial action, but the sample from Bulgaria was shown to be more efficient. Both samples showed a similar synergistic effect with these antibiotics. One may conclude that the propolis samples show an important antibacterial action, as well as a synergistic effect with antibiotics against Salmonella Typhi.
Propolis antibiotic action has been widely investigated. This assay was carried out in order to observe the in vitro antibacterial activity of propolis against Salmonella enteritidis isolated from food and Salmonella typhimurium isolated from human infections. Propolis was collected by Apis mellifera in two regions of Brazil (Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte State; and Urubici, Santa Catarina State). Both strains survival percentage decreased with time of incubation in Ethanolic Extracts of Propolis (EEP), demonstrating bactericidal effect after 24 hours. It was also observed that EEP from Mossoró was more effective than that from Urubici. The control of the propolis solvent - 70% ethanol - was less effective than EEP, showing only a bacteriostatic effect. We can conclude that propolis shows an activity against Gram-negative bacteria that varies according to the geographical region where it was collected by bees.
The direct effect of ethanolic extract of propolis on guinea pig lung cell suspension containing mast cells, as well as its influence on the histamine release induced by antigen (ovoalbumin 10 mug/ml) and ionophore A 23187 (3 muM) were investigated. Propolis ethanolic extract (300 mug/ml) increased the histamine release in guinea pig lung suspension containing mast cells by a cytotoxic effect. Lower concentrations of propolis had no effect on histamine release. Our results demonstrated that propolis (3, 10, 30, and 100 mug/ml) shows no significant effect on the histamine release induced by ionophore and antigen. Based on these results, we suggest that propolis could directly activate mast cells, promoting inflammatory mediators release by cytotoxic mechanisms, what could be related to allergic processes in propolis sensitive people.
Tuberculosis remains one of the major infectious causes of morbidity and mortality in the world, yet the mechanisms by which macrophages defend against Mycobacterium tuberculosis have remained obscure. Results from this study show that murine macrophages, activated by interferon gamma, and lipopolysaccharide or tumor necrosis factor alpha, both growth inhibit and kill M. tuberculosis. This antimycobacterial effect, demonstrable both in murine macrophage cell lines and in peritoneal macrophages of BALB/c mice, is independent of the macrophage capacity to generate reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). Both the ROI-deficient murine macrophage cell line D9, and its ROI-generating, parental line J774.16, expressed comparable antimycobacterial activity upon activation. In addition, the oxygen radical scavengers superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, mannitol, and diazabicyclooctane had no effect on the antimycobacterial activity of macrophages. These findings, together with the results showing the relative resistance of M. tuberculosis to enzymatically generated H2O2, suggest that ROI are unlikely to be significantly involved in killing M. tuberculosis. In contrast, the antimycobacterial activity of these macrophages strongly correlates with the induction of the L-arginine-dependent generation of reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI). The effector molecule(s) that could participate in mediating this antimycobacterial function are toxic RNI, including NO, NO2, and HNO2, as demonstrated by the mycobacteriocidal effect of acidified NO2. The oxygen radical scavenger SOD adventitiously perturbs RNI production, and cannot be used to discriminate between cytocidal mechanisms involving ROI and RNI. Overall, our results provide support for the view that the L-arginine-dependent production of RNI is the principal effector mechanism in activated murine macrophages responsible for killing and growth inhibiting virulent M. tuberculosis.
Previous studies show that cytotoxic activated macrophages cause inhibition of DNA synthesis, inhibition of mitochondrial respiration, and loss of intracellular iron from tumor cells. Here we examine aconitase, a citric acid cycle enzyme with a catalytically active iron-sulfur cluster, to determine if iron-sulfur clusters are targets for activated macrophage-induced iron removal. Results show that aconitase activity declines dramatically in target cells after 4 h of co-cultivation with activated macrophages. Aconitase inhibition occurs simultaneously with arrest of DNA synthesis, another early activated macrophage-induced metabolic change in target cells. Dithionite partially prevents activated macrophage induced aconitase inhibition. Furthermore, incubation of injured target cells in medium supplemented with ferrous ion plus a reducing agent causes near-complete reconstitution of aconitase activity. The results show that removal of a labile iron atom from the [4Fe-4S] cluster, by a cytotoxic activated macrophage-mediated mechanism, is causally related to aconitase inhibition.
Propolis is a glue-like substance which honey bees prepare from plant materials including their own secretions. It has been used as a folk remedy for treating various ailments, mainly in Europe. An ethanol extract of propolis has been reported to exhibit a broad spectrum of activities including antioxidant and tumour cell arresting properties. However, little information is available regarding water-extracts of propolis. We extracted Brazilian propolis with water and isolated from the extract a compound (PRF-1) which was cytotoxic to human hepatocellular carcinoma HuH 13, HeLa and human lung carcinoma HLC-2 cells. Human diploid foreskin cells were little affected. The compound also showed antioxidant activity.
Propolis has been used in folk medicine since ancient times due to its many biological properties, such as antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory activities, among others. Macrophages play an important role in the early phase of Salmonella infection. In this work, macrophages were prestimulated with Brazilian or Bulgarian propolis and subsequently challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium at different macrophage/bacteria ratio. After 60 min of incubation, cells were harvested with Triton-X to lyse the macrophages. To assess the bactericidal activity, the number of colony-forming units (CFU) of S. typhimurium was determined by plating 0.1 mL in Mueller Hinton agar. After 24 h, CFU were counted, and the percentage of bactericidal activity was obtained. Propolis from Brazil and Bulgaria enhanced the bactericidal activity of macrophages, depending on its concentration. Brazilian propolis seemed to be more efficient than that from Bulgaria, because of their different chemical composition. In Bulgaria, bees collect the material mainly from the bud exudate of poplar trees, while in Brazil, Baccharis dracunculifolia DC. was shown to be the main propolis source. Our data also showed that the increased bactericidal activity of macrophages involved the participation of oxygen (H(2)O(2)) and nitrogen (NO) intermediate metabolites.
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an the active component of propolis, is known to have anticarcinogenic, antiviral and various biological activities; however, the effect of CAPE on the immunomodulatory activity in vivo remains unknown. We have investigated the effect of CAPE on the immune system in female Balb/c mice. CAPE (0, 5, 10, 20 mg/kg) was given to mice orally for 14 days. Immunomodulatory activity was evaluated by assessment of body and organ weight, lymphocyte blastogenesis, plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay, lymphocyte subpopulation by flow cytometry and cytokine production. Even though the change of body weight was not observed in CAPE-administered group, thymus weight and/or cellularity of thymus and spleen are decreased at the all dose groups of CAPE (5, 10, 20 mg/kg). On the other hand, CAPE had no effect on B lymphocyte proliferation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) but increased T lymphocyte blastogenesis induced by concanavalin A (Con A) at the dose of 20 mg/kg. In the case of lymphocyte subpopulation, the population of T and B cells was not changed but CD4(+) T cell subsets are significantly increased in exposure to CAPE. The antibody responses to T lymphocyte dependent antigen, sheep red blood cell and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) were increased more than 10 mg/kg in CAPE-treated group. Likewise, the cytokine, IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-gamma were significantly increased at the dose of 20 mg/kg CAPE group. These results suggest that CAPE could have immunomodulatory effects in vivo.
Propolis has been the subject of recent scientific investigation due to its biological properties, such as antibiotic, antiinflammatory, anesthetic, healing, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and carcinostatic. The purpose of this study was to analyze the biochemical profile of propolis-treated rats to observe whether propolis might lead to side effects after administration. Evaluation of total protein, glucose, urea, creatinine, triglycerides, cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol concentrations and determination of aminotransferases (AST and ALT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in propolis-treated rat serum were performed. The seasonal effect on propolis activity was also analyzed, considering the biochemical variables evaluated. The lack of clinically important changes in seric biochemical variables is probably because propolis showed no biological side effects under these conditions. A possible seasonal effect on the biochemical determinations was not observed.
Recently, propolis has been attracting the attention of researchers due to various biological activities and therapeutic properties. In Brazil, propolis is produced all year long, so there may be some seasonal variations. This work was carried out in order to compare propolis collected during the four seasons by its in vitro antimicrobial activity on yeast pathogens isolated from human infections. Propolis was produced by africanized honeybees in Botucatu, São Paulo State, collected throughout a year and pooled by season. Hydroalcoholic solutions of propolis were prepared with each pool and diluted in agar, using serial concentrations of propolis from each pool. A determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed. The results show that Candida tropicalis and Candida albicans were susceptible to low concentrations of propolis, the latter showing a higher susceptibility. No differences were seen in relation to seasonal effects in the minimal inhibitory concentration of propolis.
Propolis has been the subject of several recent studies, with the aim of elucidating its biological and pharmacological properties. Propolis has a well-known antimicrobial activity as well as antioxidant, antitumoral, antiinflammatory, and regenerative properties, but literature about its effects on the immune response is scarce. The goal of this work was to evaluate the propolis effect on macrophage activation by oxygen (H2O2) and nitrogen (NO) metabolite determination. Propolis was produced by africanized honeybees and hydroalcoholic solutions were prepared at different concentrations. Peritoneal macrophages were obtained from male BALB/c mice and culture cells were stimulated in vitro with propolis or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In the in vivo assay, the animals were sacrificed after propolis treatment and cells were stimulated with IFN-gamma. We also investigated the co-stimulant action of propolis associated with IFN-gamma on macrophages. The results show that propolis induces a discreet elevation in H2O2 release and a mild inhibition of NO generation, depending on concentration. Propolis had no co-stimulant activity, diminishing IFN-gamma action on H2O2 and NO production. Data suggest that propolis acts on host non-specific immunity by macrophage activation.
Ethanolic extracts of the bee glue, a resinous substance collected by honeybees called propolis, have been widely used in folk medicine since ancient times. Antibacterial, antifungal and thus antiseptic properties may represent the basis for the historical and present use of these extracts in dermatology, against inflammatory conditions and common colds. This work was carried out in order to verify possible biochemical alterations in some seric parameters of propolis-treated rats. It was shown that propolis possesses an antioxidant property and its administration did not affect either amylase and alanine transaminase activities or total protein concentration.
We have studied the decay dynamics of visible photoluminescence (PL) from nanometer-sized Si crystallites fabricated by electrochemical etching of single crystalline Si and laser-breakdown of SiH4 gas. In two types of Si crystallites, the slow decay behavior of red PL is characterized by a stretched exponential function. The temperature dependence of the PL decay rate is similar to that of variable-range hopping of carriers in two-dimensional systems. It is concluded that the slow decay PL is caused by the hopping-limited recombination in surface states of nanocrystallines. PACS: 73.20.Dx; 78.66.-w; 78.90.+t
Seasonal variations in the chemical composition of essential oil from Brazilian propolis were investigated using GC and GC/MS. Seasonal differences were not very significant and were predominantly quantitative. The main components of the oil were spathulenol (3.0–13.9%), (2Z,6E)-farnesol (1.6–14.9%), benzyl benzoate (0.3–18.3%) and prenylated acetophenones (3.4–17.1%). On the basis of the results obtained some suggestions are made concerning the plant origin of the oils.
Propolis is a resinous hive product collected by honeybees from various plant sources. It is a popular folk medicine possessing a broad spectrum of biological activities. It has also been used as a health drink in various Asian, European and American countries. Several groups of researchers have focused their attention on the biological activity of propolis and its active principles. Many scientific articles are published every year in different international journals related to the pharmacological properties of propolis. This review article compiles recent findings (since 1995) on the pharmacological properties of propolis focusing on its antihepatotoxic, antitumour, antioxidative, antimicrobial and antiinflammatory properties. The possible mechanism of action of propolis as well as the active compounds are discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
We evaluated propolis influence on polyclonal activation of lymphocytes by concanavalin A (Con A). The in vitro experiments showed that propolis decreases splenocyte proliferation both in the absence or presence of Con A. The supression in mitogen-induced splenocyte proliferation also occurred when mice were treated intraperitoneally with propolis for 3 days. An increased of IFN-γ production in the culture supernatants of the same cells was observed. A dual action of propolis on lymphocyte activation was proposed: it decreases splenocyte proliferation in the presence or absence of Con A and stimulates IFN-γ production by spleen cells. These results are important to understand the immunomodulatory action of propolis on the host’s specific and non-specific immunity.
The plant sources and chemical composition of propolis are reviewed. The chemical constituents that may be relevant to its biological and therapeutic activity are discussed. The cytotoxic activity and antimicrobial and pharmacological properties of propolis are presented. Propolis components, which cause allergy and are responsible for anticancer activity, eg, caffeic acid derivatives, are reported. The therapeutic efficacy of propolis in treating diseases caused by microorganisms is described. Some recent concepts about propolis and its use in medicine are presented.
The immunomodulatory action of a water-soluble derivative (WSD) of natural propolis was investigated. The oral and parenteral administration of the WSD enhanced the survival rate and the mean survival time in experimental bacterial (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphyllococcus aureus) and fungal (Candida albicans) infections in mice. An increased resistance was observed also in Klebsiella pneumoniae infection induced after cyclophosphamide treatment. The WSD stimulated peritoneal macrophages to produce in vitro interleukin-1, which corresponded to their elevated total protein secretion. In addition, WSD failed to trigger lymphocyte proliferation as determined by popliteal lymph node assay. The WSD was suggested to augment non-specific host defense via macrophage activation.
Natural killer cells constitute a population of lymphocytes able tonon-specifically destroy virus-infected and some kinds of tumor cells. Since this lytic activity was shown by non-immunized animals the phenomenon is denominated natural killer (NK) activity and contrasts with specific cytotoxicity performed by cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs) because it does not depends on MHC-restricted peptides recognition.In fact, the main feature of most functional receptors of NK cells (NKRs) is their ability to be inhibited by different kinds of class I MHC antigens. In the middle of the 1950s, Burnet & Thomas forged the concept of tumor immunosurveillance and NK cells can be considered one of the main figures in this phenomenon both for effector and regulatory functions. In the present review the early studies on the biology of NK cells were revisited and both their antitumor activity and dependence on the activation by cytokines are discussed.
The importance of macrophages in host defence is well documented. They are distributed in various tissues where they perform functions in normal steady state as well as in diseased condition. Macrophages secrete a number of enzymes, plasma proteins, complement and coagulation factors which regulate the effector functions of the macrophages. Exposure of macrophages to pathogens results in further metabolic changes which activate the former to secrete oxygen metabolites leading to their augmented microbicidal activity. Macrophages respond to the external stimuli by expressing a large repertoire of surface receptors which play an important role in the activation, recognition and endocytosis of foreign microorganisms. A large number of intracellular pathogens are harboured in the macrophages which can reside and replicate in them. A variety of strategem has been employed to target drugs to vacuolar apparatus of the macrophages in order to combat intracellular pathogens. This review covers some of these aspects particularly in relation to hose defence and methods by which therapeutic agents could be specifically delivered to macrophages.
The in vitro activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 of the major flavonoids identified in propolis was investigated. Flavonols were found to be more active than flavones, the order of importance being galangin, kaempferol, and quercetin. The efficacy against HSV-1 of binary flavone-flavonol combinations has been also investigated. The synergy demonstrated by all combinations could explain why propolis is more active t