Brazilian Green Propolis Research Articles

Antiviral activity of Brazilian Green Propolis extract against SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - Coronavirus 2) infection: case report and review

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (). This novel coronavirus, which was first reported in Wuhan city, China, in late December 2019 and subsequently spreaded rapidly to all provinces of China and then worldwide, has had a devastating effect on global public health (). As SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious, the number of global infections has continuously increased since the first confirmed case a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The disease is often transmitted to the patient’s [...]

The effect of ethanolic extract of Brazilian green propolis and artepillin C on aFGF-1, Eselectin, and CD40L secreted by human gingival fibroblasts.

IntroductionPeriodontal diseases are among the most common diseases of the oral cavity in the worldwide population. The prevention of gingivitis and periodontitis is based on the removal of bacterial plaque from the teeth with use of toothpaste containing active substances. Noteworthy is the ethanolic extract of Brazilian green propolis (EEP-B), which, due to the high content of artepillin C, has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, or immunostimulatory effects. Little is known about interactions between EEP-B and gingival fibroblasts within the oral cavity. The purpose of the article is to determine the role of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF-1), E-selectin, and ligand of CD40 (CD40L) secreted by human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) in the gingiva.Material and methodsWe performed our experiments on gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1), which are an ideal in vitro model for studying the processes taking place within the gingiva. We incubated cells with EEP-B or artepillin C at the concentrations of 1 µg/ml and 10 µg/ml. The aFGF-1, E-selectin, and CD40L were detected using the Bio-Plex Magnetic Luminex Assay and the Bio-Plex 200 System.ResultsEthanolic extract of Brazilian green propolis and artepillin C increased the levels of aFGF-1 secreted by HGF-1. Moreover, EEP-B decreased the levels of E-selectin in both tested concentrations, which was not proved for artepillin C. No changes in the concentration of CD40L released by HGF-1 were observed.ConclusionsThe obtained results may suggest that EEP-B, due to the mixture of various compounds including flavonoids, accelerates the wound healing effects and has anti-inflammatory activity.

Brazilian green propolis promotes the cytoprotective expression of heme oxygenase-1 against oxidative stress injury in murine myoblast cells

Background: Sarcopenia is a progressive skeletal muscle disorder characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass and function, resulting in physical disability and mortality. Although sarcopenia impacts a large proportion of elderly individuals, no effective treatment for this disease has yet been identified. The excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can damage tissues and promote aging, and the daily use of dietary antioxidants can be effective for maintaining skeletal muscle health. Propolis, a natural substance that is collected by honey bees, has been used as traditional medicine, and many reports have described its antioxidative properties. However, how propolis exhibits cytoprotective effects and antioxidative effects in skeletal muscles remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidative effects of ethanol-extracted Brazilian green propolis (EEBP, from Baccharis dracunculifolia) and its three constituents using an in vitro myoblast cell model.Methods: Murine myoblast C2C12 cells were treated with either EEBP or its constituents, including caffeic acid, trans-ferulic acid, and p-coumaric acid, in the presence of 100 or 300 mM H2O2 to induce oxidative stress injury. The cell death ratio and cell viability were assessed by Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide staining and the WST-8 assay, respectively. Simultaneously, intracellular ROS production was measured by CM-H2DCFDA [5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2’,7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, acetyl ester] assay. Finally, immunoblotting was performed in myoblast cell lysates to assess the expression level of an antioxidative enzyme, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).Results: We demonstrated that EEBP significantly reduced H2O2-induced cell death at a concentration of 3 µg/ml in myoblasts. Additionally, caffeic acid at 100 µM improved cell viability under oxidative stress conditions, but not trans-ferulic acid or p-coumaric acid. Both EEBP and caffeic acid inhibited the H2O2-induced increase in ROS production. Finally, HO-1 expression was increased by treatment with either EEBP or caffeic acid. The increase in HO-1 expression induced by H2O2 was enhanced in the presence of EEBP and caffeic acid.Conclusions: These findings indicated that EEBP has protective effects against oxidative damage in C2C12 murine myoblast cell line. Caffeic acid is an EEBP constituent that contributes to cytoprotective activity. EEBP may act as an inducer of HO-1 to prevent oxidative stress-induced myoblast death.Keywords: C2C12 murine myoblast cells, heme oxygenase-1, oxidative stress, propolis, reactive oxygen species

The protective effect of Artepillin C against lipid oxidation on model membranes

Brazilian green propolis is a well-known therapeutic product, commonly used in folk medicine. Artepillin C is the major compound of Brazilian green propolis and has received considerable attention owing to its lipophilic affinity and antioxidant activity, enabling the use against lipid oxidation caused by free radicals, which is a first step before degenerative diseases. The protective effect of Artepillin C against lipid oxidation was evaluated here on models of lipid membranes based on Langmuir monolayers and giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) formed of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine DOPC under oxidative stress induced by the photoactivated erythrosin. Our findings show that the lipophilic character of Artepillin C allows the donation of a hydrogen atom of the phenolic hydroxyl group to the lipid radical of both mono and bilayer, avoiding the formation of truncated aldehyde lipids, interrupting oxidative reactions mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), therefore playing a role as an antioxidant compound in the lipid environment. The affinity of Artepillin C for lipid structures, together with its antioxidant potential, preclude the lipid peroxidation caused by reactive species.

Baccharis dracunculifolia and Dalbergia ecastophyllum, Main Plant Sources for Bioactive Properties in Green and Red Brazilian Propolis.

Nowadays, propolis is used as a highly valuable product in alternative medicine for improving health or treating a large spectrum of pathologies, an ingredient in pharmaceutical products, and also as a food additive. Different vegetal materials are collected by honeybees and mixed with wax and other own substances in order to obtain the final product, called propolis. It is known as the bee product with the widest chemical composition due to the raw material collected by the bees. Different types are known worldwide: green Brazilian propolis (having Baccharis dracunculifolia as the major plant source), red Brazilian propolis (from Dalbergia ecastophyllum), European propolis (Populus nigra L.), Russian propolis (Betula verrucosa Ehrh), Cuban and Venezuelan red propolis (Clusia spp.), etc. An impressive number of scientific papers already demonstrate the pharmacological potential of different types of propolis, the most important activities being the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities. However, the bioactive compounds responsible for each activity have not been fully elucidated. This review aims to collect important data about the chemical composition and bioactive properties of the vegetal sources and to compare with the chemical composition of respective propolis types, in order to determine the connection between the floral source and the propolis properties.

Brazilian green propolis hydroalcoholic extract as a therapeutic adjuvant to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis

Brazilian green propolis hydroalcoholic extract as a therapeutic adjuvant to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis

Optical, Mechanical, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Starch/Polyvinyl Alcohol Biodegradable Film Incorporated with Baccharis dracunculifolia Lyophilized Extract

Biodegradable active films incorporated with lyophilized extract of Baccharis dracunculifolia, source plant of Brazilian green propolis, were prepared by casting method. The extraction conditions of the bioactive compounds were optimized to generate a lyophilized product that was added to the starch: poly(vinyl alcohol) (1:1 w/w) film at concentrations of 0%, 1.0%, and 1.5% (w/w). The addition of B. dracunculifolia extracts promotes a reduction in the mechanical properties and an increase in the opacity of the active biodegradable films, directly related to the B. dracunculifolia contend added. For the migration tests in the films, using different food simulants solvents, the antioxidant activity (DPPH) and the TPC were performed, and ranged from 71.64 to 215.06 μmol Trolox and from 14.57 to 40.95 mg GAE (Gallic acid equivalent), per gram of film, respectively. The active biodegradable films were efficient against the pathogenic microorganisms Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica. The HPLC analysis showed that the major components in B. dracunculifolia extract were catechin, followed by ferulic acid. According to the characteristics presented, B. dracunculifolia lyophilized extract is a promising product for incorporation in food or pharmaceutical formulas, or as an active food packaging, due to its antioxidant and bactericidal activities.

Unique dynamic mode between Artepillin C and human serum albumin implies the characteristics of Brazilian green propolis representative bioactive component

As a representative bioactive component in Brazil green propolis, Artepillin C (ArtC; 3, 5-diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) has been reported a wide variety of physiological activities including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity etc. However, it seems incompatible that ArtC in vivo was characterized as low absorption efficiency and low bioavailability. In order to obtain the elucidation, we further investigated the physicochemical basis of ArtC interacting with human serum albumin (HSA) in vitro. We found a unique dynamic mode interaction between ArtC and HSA, which is completely different from other reported propolis bioactive components. Thermodynamic analysis showed that hydrophobic interactions and electrostatic forces are the main driving force. The competitive assay indicates that the binding site of ArtC with HSA is close to the Sudlow’s site I. The findings of this study reveal the unique physicochemical transport mechanism of ArtC in the human body, which helps to further understand the uniqueness of the representative functional components of Brazilian green propolis in the human body.

The Chemical Composition of Brazilian Green Propolis and Its Protective Effects on Mouse Aortic Endothelial Cells against Inflammatory Injury.

Propolis has a very complex composition, with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and other properties. To determine the composition of ethanol extracts of Brazilian green propolis (EEP-B) and their protective effect on mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs), the chemical composition of EEP-B was analysed by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS, and the protective effect of EEP-B on the proliferation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MAECs was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays. The protein levels of inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin- 6 (IL-6) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and MCP-1 expressions were analysed by western blotting. The results showed that a total of 24 compounds belonging to cinnamic acids and flavonoids, including 3,5-diisopentenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (artepillin C), kaempferide, 3-isoprenyl p-coumaric acid, pinocembrin and 4′-methoxy pinobanksin, were identified in EEP-B. Among them, a new component, suggested to be 5-isoprenyl caffeic acid p-coumaric acid ester, was reported for the first time. The LPS-induced levels of TNF-α, IL-6, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and MCP-1 were downregulated in response to 5, 10 and 20 μg/mL EEP-B. This study revealed that EEP-B could reduce LPS-induced inflammatory reactions, improve cell survival, and protect MAECs by regulating ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and MCP-1 expression. These findings could provide a theoretical basis for MAEC treatment using EEP-B.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of kaempferide from the Brazilian green propolis

The Brazilian green propolis is produced by Apis mellifera from Baccharis dracunculifolia. Kaempferide, which was isolated from green propolis and B. dracunculifolia is an O-methylated flavonol bearing gastroprotective, anti-allergic and anti-hypertensive activities. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potentials of kaempferide, as well as its possible toxicological effect on kidney and liver. For that, nociception was assessed by thermal (hargreaves apparatus) and mechanical (Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer) sensitivities; anti-inflammatory potential was assessed by carrageenan induced edema; and the toxicological profile was assessed by blood biochemical assessment. Kaempferide significantly reduced mechanical nociception and displayed anti-inflammatory effect, which was evidenced by the reduction of the volume of the paw edema, as well as by the reduction of infiltrates, cellularity and area of the injured tissue. On the other hand, it was inactive in the thermal nociception protocol either with or without an inflammatory process, as well as it was inactive in the mechanical nociception protocol after an inflammatory process. In addition, central nervous system depression, liver and kidney toxicities were not observed.

Artepillin C as an outstanding phenolic compound of Brazilian green propolis for disease treatment: A review on pharmacological aspects.

Propolis is a viscous resin consisting of plant material (shoots, flowers, and plant exudates), salivary secretions and waxes produced by Apis mellifera bees. Its popular use aroused the interests of scientific research, which proved to be a potential source of various bioactive substances. The chemical composition of propolis depends on several factors, such as the different types of plant sources collected by bees, geographic origin, and the time of year in which they are produced, but it is known that phenolic represent the main bioactive constituents of propolis. Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae) is the most important botanical source of propolis and a native to southeastern Brazil. It is widely known as the green propolis because of its deep green color. One of its major phenolic acids is artepillin C (Art-C), a diprenyl-p-hydroxycinnamic acid derivative. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the pharmacological effects of Art-C. The limited number of publications on this topic over the past two decades have been collected from databases and summarized. Numerous biological activities have been described for the Art-C, such as gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor. This article describes aspects of occurrence, synthesis, biological activities and pharmacokinetic approaches.

Effects of Green Brazilian Propolis Alcohol Extract on Nociceptive Pain Models in Rats.

Pain is one of the most common symptoms encountered in the medical practice. None of the management procedures used currently offer a complete relief for patients suffering from nociceptive pain. New treatment strategies for pain management are needed. Propolis has been used in traditional medicine to relieve various types of pain. The aim of the current study was to investigate the potential effects of the green Brazilian propolis alcohol extract in vivo on the nociceptive and inflammatory pain models in rats. Rats were distributed into three random groups (n = 6); Group I: control group received normal saline intraperitoneally (i.p.); Group II: treated with green Brazilian propolis alcohol extract (P50 mg/kg i.p.); Group III: treated with P100 mg/kg i.p. After sixty minutes, 50 μL of 5% formalin was injected subcutaneously into the dorsal surface of the right hind paw. The nociceptive response was identified by counting the number of flinches of the injected paw. The number of flinches was counted for the period of 0–5 min (early phase; neurogenic) and 10–60 min (late phase; inflammatory). Thermal hyperalgesia was assessed using three-paw withdrawal latency measurement with ten minutes intervals using a planter analgesic meter. Abdominal writhe (contraction) was induced by i.p. injection of acetic acid (1 mL of 2%). The results showed that green Brazilian propolis alcohol extract caused a significant inhibition of acetic acid-induced pain and significantly increased the pain threshold against infrared and formalin tests. The promising antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of propolis and/or its active constituents as natural compounds in the present study indicates that it merits further studies in pain.

Uncovering Biological Application of Brazilian Green Propolis: A Phenotypic Screening against Schistosoma mansoni.

The chemotherapy of schistosomiasis remains centered in the use of praziquantel, however, there has been growing resistant parasites to this drug. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate in vitro schistosomicidal activity of the hexanes/dichloromethane 1 : 1 extract of Brazilian green propolis (Pex), as well as its major isolated compounds artepillin C, caffeic acid, coumaric acid and drupanin against Schistosoma mansoni. The Pex was active by displaying an IC50 value of 36.60 (26.26-51.13) μg mL-1 at 72 h against adult worms of S. mansoni. The major isolated compounds were inactive with IC50 values >100 μM, however, the combination of the isolated compounds (CM) in the same range found in the extract was active with an IC50 value of 41.17 (39.89-42.46) μg mL-1 at 72 h. Pex and CM induced alteration in the tegument of S. mansoni, and caffeic acid caused alteration in egg's maturation. Pex displayed in vitro activity against adult worms' and eggs' viability of S. mansoni, which opens new perspectives to better understand the synergistic and/or additive effects promoted by both Pex extract and CM against schistosomiasis features.

Salt-dependent hypertension and inflammation: targeting the gut-brain axis and the immune system with Brazilian green propolis.

Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is a major health problem around the world and its development has been associated with exceeding salt consumption by the modern society. The mechanisms by which salt consumption increase blood pressure (BP) involve several homeostatic systems but many details have not yet been fully elucidated. Evidences accumulated over the last 60 decades raised the involvement of the immune system in the hypertension development and opened a range of possibilities for new therapeutic targets. Green propolis is a promising natural product with potent anti-inflammatory properties acting on specific targets, most of them participating in the gut–brain axis of the sodium-dependent hypertension. New anti-hypertensive products reinforce the therapeutic arsenal improving the corollary of choices, especially in those cases where patients are resistant or refractory to conventional therapy. This review sought to bring the newest advances in the field articulating evidences that show a cross-talking between inflammation and the central mechanisms involved with the sodium-dependent hypertension as well as the stablished actions of green propolis and some of its biologically active compounds on the immune cells and cytokines that would be involved with its anti-hypertensive properties.

Effects of Brazilian green propolis extract on planktonic cells and biofilms of multidrug-resistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Propolis could represent an alternative therapeutic agent for targeting multidrug-resistant bacteria due to its antimicrobial potential. The effect of Brazilian green propolis (BGP) aqueous extract (AqExt) was evaluated on eight multidrug-resistant clinical strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as on one reference strain for each bacterial species. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined and optimal concentrations were further evaluated in comparison with 0.12% chlorhexidine. The natural extract was chemically characterized by HPLC-DAD analysis. The MBC values ranged between 3.12 and 27.5 mg ml−1. Analysis of bacterial metabolic activity after treatment for 5 min with BGP-AqExt revealed a strong antimicrobial potential, similar to chlorhexidine. The extract comprised several active compounds including quercetin, gallic acid, caffeic and p-coumaric acid, drupani, galangin, and artepillin C. Altogether, the findings suggest that BGP-AqExt is fast and effective against multidrug-resistant strains of K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa in planktonic cultures and biofilms.

P1574EFFECTS OF BRAZILIAN GREEN PROPOLIS EXTRACT (EPP-AF) ON INFLAMMATION IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Abstract Background and Aims End-stage chronic kidney disease is associated with the condition of chronic inflammation, impacting increased cardiovascular mortality in this specific population. Patients on hemodialysis are known to be predisposed to several factors that predispose to inflammation: dialysis membranes, central venous catheters, oxidative stress, fluid overload, sodium overload, uraemic toxins. Propolis, a natural resin produced by bees from plant materials, has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-oxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Brazilian green propolis extract on inflammation in hemodialysis patients. Here we present preliminary results of the trial NCT04072341. Method We performed a prospective trial, open-label 9-week crossover study examining the effect of Brazilian green propolis (250mg/day, in capsules) on inflammation in hemodialysis patients. We included patients over 18 years, under intermittent hemodialysis (thrice per week), on hemodialysis for at least 1 month and until now 37 patients were included. We excluded pregnant women, cancer carried and patients who developed infection or underwent any surgical procedure during the study period. Each period was 4 weeks in duration with a 1-week washout period in between. The primary end point was change in serum level of high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (HsCRP). Secondary end point evaluated the safety of propolis use in hemodialysis patients. Results Their mean age was 58.6 ± 15.2 years (mean ± SD), and 22 (59.4%) were men. The proportion of patients with hypertension was 14 (37.8%) and diabetes was 9 (24.3%). The number of patients using arteriovenous fistula were 26 (70.2%). The HsCRP presented (mean ± SE) 5.31 ± 1.02 mg/L at baseline, 4.26 ± 0.76 mg/L after propolis period and 4.56 ± 1.32 mg/L in control period, p = 0.0042. Safety parameters were analyzed such as amylase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK); there was no difference between them before and after the use of propolis. None of the participants reported any adverse effects or allergic reactions during the treatment. Conclusion Patients on hemodialysis have an increased inflammatory state. For the best of our knowledge it was the first clinical trial who demonstrated the safety of propolis in hemodialysis patients. Brazilian green propolis demonstrated a tendency to reduce inflammation in these patients.

Vibrational Spectroscopic Characterization and Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy (CARS) Imaging of Artepillin C.

In the following work, the vibrational spectroscopic characteristics of artepillin C are reported by means of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopies, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy. Artepillin C is an interesting compound due to its pharmacological properties, including antitumor activity. It is found as the major component of Brazilian green propolis, a resinous mixture produced by bees to protect their hives against intruders. Vibrational spectroscopic techniques have shown a strong peak at 1599 cm-1, assigned to C=C stretching vibrations from the aromatic ring of artepillin C. From these data, direct visualization of artepillin C could be assessed by means of CARS microscopy, showing differences in the film hydration obtained for its neutral and deprotonated states. Raman-based methods show potential to visualize the uptake and action of artepillin C in biological systems, triggering its interaction with biological systems that are needed to understand its mechanism of action.

Kaempferide Enhances Chemosensitivity of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells Mediated by the Decrease in Phosphorylation of Akt and Claudin-2 Expression.

Claudins (CLDNs) play crucial roles in the formation of tight junctions. We have reported that abnormal expression of CLDN2 confers chemoresistance in the spheroids of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. A food composition, which can reduce CLDN2 expression, may function to prevent the malignant progression. Here, we found that ethanol extract of Brazilian green propolis (EBGP) and kaempferide, a major component of EBGP, decrease CLDN2 expression. In the two-dimensional culture model, EBGP decreased the tight junctional localization of CLDN2 without affecting that of zonula occludens-1, an adaptor protein, and enhanced paracellular permeability to doxorubicin, a cytotoxic anticancer drug. EBGP reduced hypoxic stress, and enhanced the accumulation and sensitivity of doxorubicin in the spheroid of A549 cells. Kaempferide dose-dependently decreased CLDN2 expression, although dihydrokaempferide and pinocembrin did not. The phosphorylation of Akt, a regulatory factor of CLDN2 expression, was inhibited by kaempferide but not by dihydrokaempferide. The 2,3-double bond in the C ring may be important to inhibit Akt. Kaempferide decreased the mRNA level and promoter activity of CLDN2, indicating that it inhibits the transcription of CLDN2. In accordance with EBGP, kaempferide decreased the tight junctional localization of CLDN2 and increased a paracellular permeability to doxorubicin, suggesting that it diminished the paracellular barrier to small molecules. In addition, kaempferide reduced hypoxic stress, and enhanced the accumulation and sensitivity of doxorubicin in the spheroids. In contrast, dihydrokaempferide did not improve the sensitivity to doxorubicin. Further study is needed using an animal model, but we suggest that natural foods abundantly containing kaempferide are candidates for the prevention of the chemoresistance of lung adenocarcinoma.

Green Propolis: Cytotoxic and Leishmanicidal Activities of Artepillin C, p-Coumaric Acid, and Their Degradation Products

Brazilian green propolis is a bee product which displays many biological activities, such as antiparasitic, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic. Artepillin C and p-coumaric acid are two of its major compounds that contribute to these activities. Both compounds were submitted to degradation under light, oxygen, and heating, furnishing four and one degradation products, respectively. Artepillin C, p-coumaric acid, and their degradation products were evaluated against seven strains of oral bacteria, cancer cell lines (AGP-01 and He-La), and Leishmania amazonensis (promastigotes and amastigotes). The Z-isomer artifact of artepillin C displayed significant activity against both gastric cancer cell line AGP-01 (IC50 9.09 μM) and L. amazonensis, especially against the amastigote forms of the parasite (IC50 3.49 μM). p-Coumaric acid also displayed a promising activity against L. amazonensis amastigotes (IC50 3.12 μM), while its Z-isomer artifact was more effective against the promastigotes (IC50 9.35 μM). The obtained compounds were not cytotoxic against the normal cell line CHO-k1. The present study shows that Brazilian green propolis is an important source of bioactive compounds and that Z-artepillin C and Z-p-coumaric acid display antiparasitic and cytotoxic activities.

Conventional and supercritical extraction of phenolic compounds from Brazilian red and green propolis

ABSTRACT The extracts of green propolis and red propolis from Brazil were evaluated. The extracts were obtained by extraction with ethanol, methanol, water, hexane (soxhlet) and supercritical CO2 at 50ºC/300 bar. Fractionation of the red propolis ethanolic extract (EEP) with scCO2 at temperatures of 40–60ºC and pressures of 200–400 bar was also evaluated. Methanolic extraction was the best method in terms of yield for both green and red propolis. Moreover, fractionation of the red propolis ethanolic extract with scCO2 produced fractionated extracts with much higher flavonoid contents than those found in the original EEP extract.