Abstract

To evaluate the healing action of green and red propolis, correlating it with the content of flavonoids. We performed quantification of total flavonoids of green and red propolis ethanol extracts for subsequent incorporation in ointment base to 20%. We used 20 Wistar rats divided into four groups: 0.9% saline (S), ointment base (B), green propolis ointment (G) and red propolis ointment (R). All animals were submitted to excisional lesions in the midian back region. The rats were treated daily for 15 days. During this period we observed weight, body temperature and diameters of the wounds. For histological analysis, samples were collected from wounds. At the end of the experiment we performed blood collection and removal of the kidney and liver for biochemical and histological analyzes. The levels of total flavonoids of green (4.50%) and red (5.92%) propolis were high (> 2%), but, while the latter showed a content larger than the former, the evolution of green propolis was better in the repair of wounds, both macroscopically and histologically. There were no nephrotoxicity or hepatotoxicity, a result confirmed by biochemical tests (ALT and albumin). Propolis influenced the reduction of total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose. There was no correlation between total flavonoid contents and the healing action of propolis. This reveals the need for elucidation of the flavonoids found in each class of propolis to unravel which one(s) would be important for the healing process.

Highlights

  • Factors such as national biodiversity and lower cost make natural products and their byproducts important therapeutic alternatives

  • A solution was made of aluminum chloride 2.5%; one mL of this solution was drawn and added to 9.1 or 8.8 ml of red and green propolis, and placed in 25 ml flasks, whose volume was completed with ethanol

  • It is observed that the total flavonoid content of propolis (5.92%) is higher than that of the green one (4.50%)

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Summary

Introduction

Factors such as national biodiversity and lower cost make natural products and their byproducts important therapeutic alternatives. Since the 80s this product has been widely used in dietary supplements as a disease preventive, due to its good organoleptic characteristics. Its chemical composition is mainly determined by the phytogeographic characteristics existing around the beehive in which it is produced, but it is seasonally influenced in a same locality[2]. More than 200 substances have already been identified in propolis from different locations, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, esters, diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, lignans, aromatic aldehydes, alcohols, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals[3]. This justifies the range of biological properties obtained as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hypotensive, healing, anesthetic, anticancer, anti-HIV, anticavity, among others. Its successful use as an antiinflammatory and healing agent is attributed to its flavonoids content[4]

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