Antifungal and antibacterial metabolites from a French poplar type propolis.

Séverine Boisard,Anne Landreau,Catherine Flurin,Anne-Marie Le Ray,Viviane Cassisa,Pascal Richomme,Marie Kempf

doi:10.1155/2015/319240

Abstract

During this study, the in vitro antifungal and antibacterial activities of different extracts (aqueous and organic) obtained from a French propolis batch were evaluated. Antifungal activity was evaluated by broth microdilution on three pathogenic strains: Candida albicans, C. glabrata, and Aspergillus fumigatus. Antibacterial activity was assayed using agar dilution method on 36 Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains including Staphylococcus aureus. Organic extracts showed a significant antifungal activity against C. albicans and C. glabrata (MIC80 between 16 and 31 µg/mL) but only a weak activity towards A. fumigatus (MIC80 = 250 µg/mL). DCM based extracts exhibited a selective Gram-positive antibacterial activity, especially against S. aureus (SA) and several of its methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) strains (MIC100 30–97 µg/mL). A new and active derivative of catechin was also identified whereas a synergistic antimicrobial effect was noticed during this study.

Highlights

Propolis is a resinous natural substance collected by honeybees from buds and exudates of various trees and plants, mixed with beeswax and salivary enzymes
Organic solvents extracts were active on several Gram-positive bacteria such as Corynebacterium striatum (E2–5) and especially Staphylococcus aureus, including for the latter several methicillinresistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) clinical isolates (E5-6)
MRSA appears in France as one of the most commonly multiresistant strains encountered in hospitals

Summary

Introduction

Propolis is a resinous natural substance collected by honeybees from buds and exudates of various trees and plants, mixed with beeswax and salivary enzymes. Bees generally use it as a sealer, to smooth out the internal walls of the hive, as well as a protective barrier against intruders. Propolis has been used in folk medicine since ancient times due to its pharmacological potential associated with antioxidant [1,2,3], antifungal [4, 5], antibacterial [6,7,8], and anti-inflammatory [9] properties. A new secondary metabolite was isolated, namely, 8-[(E)-phenylprop-2-en-1-one]-5-methoxy(±)-catechin

Materials and Methods

Results and Discussion

Mixed solvents

40 Figure 2

Conclusions