Abstract
Propolis (bee glue) is a natural resin mixture produced by honey bees and it is composed of substances collected from parts of plants, buds and exudates. The composition of propolis varies primary on the geographical locations of the ingredients obtained by the bees. A series of biological properties of propolis including anti-microbial, immunostimulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-oxidation activities have been reported in relation to their chemical composition, plant origin and geographical area. This review collates the scientific literature regarding Chinese propolis and Brazilian green propolis, specifically focusing on their different constituents and biological activities. While there are known differences in composition of these two kinds of propolis, they share considerable similarity in their overall chemical composition. Importantly, techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA) and fingerprint are viable options for authenticity identification and quality control of propolis. Many of the molecular mechanisms driving various biological activities of propolis have been determined. We have also found that the biological activity of propolis mainly depends on its constituents, such as flavonoids or phenolic compounds. Each activity is regulated by a variety of biological pathways. The compounds in both Chinese propolis and Brazilian green propolis were found to participate in different biological pathways through distinct molecular mechanisms due to their diverse chemical compositions and unique structures. With the growing market interest of Brazilian green propolis in China, an evaluation between the chemical diversity and biological activity of Chinese propolis and Brazilian green propolis are in need of a review.
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