Activity Of Propolis Research Articles

Chemical profile, antioxidant, antifungal, and cytotoxic activities of propolis from the stingless bee Tetragona clavipes.

Propolis is derived from plant resin and bees' salivary secretions, are commonly used in folk medicine. Studies on propolis from stingless bees have increased in recent years, highlighting their relevance due to the variety of species and the bioactive components. However, scientific records confirming these activities in species occurring in Brazil are still scarce. In that context, this study aims to determine the chemical profile and the antioxidant, antifungal, and cytotoxic activities of the stingless bees Tetragona clavipes propolis. The hydroalcoholic extract was prepared, and its chemical profile was determined by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry combined with a direct infusion electrospray ionization. Total polyphenols and flavonoid content were determined by colorimetric methods. We determined the antioxidant activity by the ability to scavenge the free radicals 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid). The antifungal activity was evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration against Aspergillus fumigatus, Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans, and Candida parapisilosis. The results revealed high contents of total phenolics and promising antioxidant and antifungal activities. T. clavipes propolis from the rainy season showed better antioxidant and antifungal activities and higher content of flavonoids, with less variability of chemical species. The extracts exhibited fungistatic activity for C. albicans, C. parapisilosis, and A. fumigatus and fungicide for T. rubrum. Additionally, a sample collected during the rainy season demonstrated synergism with fluconazole and amphotericin B for T. rubrum and additivity for C. albicans and C. parapisilosis. In summary, the results of T. clavipes propolis revealed elevated levels of total phenolics, indicating its potential as a rich source of bioactive compounds, significant antioxidant activity, and promising antifungal activity against common pathogenic fungi. These findings contribute to our understanding of the therapeutic potential of T. clavipes propolis and provide a basis for further research and development of natural products for various applications in medicine and healthcare.

Developing and Characterizing a Biocompatible Hydrogel Obtained by Cross-Linking Gelatin with Oxidized Sodium Alginate for Potential Biomedical Applications.

The main goal of this research was to create biocompatible hydrogels using gelatin and a double cross-linking technique involving both covalent and ionic bonds to immobilize propolis. The covalent bonds were formed through Schiff base cross-links between protein-free amino groups (NH2) from the lysine residue and aldehyde groups (CHO) produced by oxidizing sodium alginate with NaIO4, while the ionic bonds were achieved using Mg2+ ions. Hydrogel films were obtained by varying the molar ratios of -CHO/-NH2 under different pH conditions (3.5 and 5.5). The presence of aldehyde groups in the oxidized sodium alginate (OSA) was confirmed using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. The oxidation degree was monitored over 48 h, and the influence of temperature was examined. Results showed that higher -CHO/-NH2 molar ratios led to increased conversion index values of NH2 groups, and a decrease in swelling degree values was observed in mediums with pH values of 5.5 and 7.4. The encapsulation and release efficiency of propolis decreased with an increase in the hydrogel cross-linking degree. UV irradiation enhanced the antioxidant activity of both free and encapsulated propolis. These findings offer valuable insights for the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields into designing biocompatible hydrogels for propolis immobilization, with potential for controlled release.

Anti –Inflammatory Activity of Propolis Trigona sp. Water Extract from North Lombok with Red Blood Cell Membrane Stability Method

Propolis is a bee product that can be used as an anti-inflammatory. Cultivation of propolis-producing bees is also carried out in North Lombok. However, propolis has not been utilized optimally by the people of North Lombok. Apart from that, testing of North Lombok propolis is still limited to the chemical content and antioxidant activity of propolis extracted with ethanol solvent. Therefore, this study aims to determine the activity and effective concentration of North Lombok propolis water extract as an anti-inflammatory using the red blood cell membrane stability method. Groups include control groups such as positive control (diclofenac sodium), negative control (distilled water), and test groups (propolis water extract concentrations of 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20%, 22.5%, 25%, 27.5%, and 30%). In The first step human blood was centrifuged of human blood, and then part of the red blood cells (sediment) was taken and saline was added to obtain a red blood cell suspension. Next, mixing the test solution was carried out in the order of 0.5 ml of red blood cell suspension, then 0.5 ml of extract was added (0.1% w/v Na-diclofenac solution in the positive control, distilled water in the negative control), 1 mL of buffer solution and 2 mL of hyposaline solution, then homogenized. Each group was incubated at 37°C for 30 minutes, then centrifuged for 10 minutes at 3000 rpm. The supernatant was taken, and the absorbance was read with a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 560 nm. Next, the percentage value of red blood cell hemolysis protection was calculated. The data obtained were tested statistically using One-way ANOVA and post-hoc (LSD) tests SPSS version 29. The results showed that propolis water extract concentrations were 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20%, 22.5%, 25%, 27.5%, and 30% have anti-inflammatory activity because they can increase the stability of the red blood cell membrane with a percentage of hemolysis protection of respectively 57.92%, 59.99%, 60.99%, 61.99%, 64.31%, 69.59%, 75.07%, 79.77% and 84.45%. Propolis water extract concentrations of 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20%, 22.5%, and 25% had anti-inflammatory effects that were not significantly different from the positive control (p>0.05). The 27.5 % and 30% concentrations had a higher percent hemolysis protection value than the positive control (p<0.05).

Phytochemical Characterization and Assessment of the Wound Healing Properties of Three Eurasian Propolis.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the wound healing potential of Eurasian propolis by analyzing the phytochemical profile and the biological effects of three representative propolis samples. Specific colorimetric assays were used to estimate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the triterpenoids content. Some of the main components of Eurasian propolis (pinocembrin, pinobanksin, CAPE, chrysin and galangin) were analyzed using HPLC-DAD. Scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity were assessed through DPPH and ORAC assays, respectively. Human keratinocyte, fibroblast, and monocytic cell lines were used for the biological in vitro analyses. The direct wound healing properties were tested through scratching assays and ELISA kits for the assessment of the production of growth factors (FGF-7, Latency Associated Peptide-LAP), while the indirect effects were evaluated through the estimation of the levels of MMP9, IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α using ELISA kits together with a cell-free test on the inhibition capacity on collagenases. Network Pharmacology analysis was employed to further explore possible mechanisms of the action of propolis on the healing process. The analyses confirmed the high phenolic content of Eurasian propolis (142.50-211.30 mg GAE/g), dominated by flavonoids (95.50-196.80 mg Galangin Equivalents/g), and terpenes (431.50-650.00 mg β-sitosterol Equivalents/g), while also verifying the significant antioxidant (4.9-8.9 mM/g Trolox Equivalents) and antiradical (DPPH IC50 26.1-54.4 μg/mL) activities. The samples showed indirect wound healing properties by mitigating inflammation and remodeling (reduced IL-1β and MMP9) and potentially modulating the immune response (upregulated IL-8). In vitro studies confirmed these effects, demonstrating decreased MMP9 production and collagenase inhibition when cells were co-treated with propolis and a stressor. Propolis also suppressed IL-1β release in fibroblasts, although its impact on TNF-α was inconclusive. Notably, co-treatment upregulated IL-8 in monocytes, suggesting a potential immunomodulatory role. Eurasian propolis may not directly stimulate cell proliferation during wound healing. Its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties could indicate an indirect contribution in helping the process.

Antimicrobial Activity of Honey and Propolis from Alba County, Romania.

Investigating the quality of bee products obtained across different geographical regions and analyzing their antimicrobial activity is of significant interest to various scientific disciplines. This study focuses on comparing the antimicrobial activity of honey and propolis samples from different areas of Alba County, Romania. The quality parameters of five samples of two types of bee products (honey and propolis) were assessed. Then, the samples were tested to comparatively determine their antimicrobial properties against 12 species of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella anatum, Salmonella choleraesuis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, and Listeria monocytogenes) and 7 fungal strains (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Fusarium oxysporum, and Alternaria alternata). Of the bacterial strains, the most sensitive to the action of honey samples were the two strains of Staphylococcus followed by P. fluorescens. The two strains of Pseudomonas and L. monocytogenes were the most sensitive to the activity of propolis. Of the fungal strains, F. oxysporum was the most sensitive to the actions of both honey and propolis, followed by P. chrysogenum in the case of honey samples and the two Aspergillus strains in the case of propolis. These findings indicate that bee products are rich sources of bioactive compounds exhibiting strong antimicrobial properties and significant potential for the development of new phytopharmaceutical products.

Antimicrobial activity of propolis agents on some pathogenic microbes

The study aims to investigate the antimicrobial activity of propolis obtained from different regions of Iraq compared with that of propolis obtained from Iran. Samples were investigated for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Eschericha coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus , Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans using standard antimicrobial assays. Marked variations in the antimicrobial activity of the different propolis samples were observed, the method of extraction selected gives the highest antimicrobial activity and the best alcohol concentration using in the extraction of propolis , then the crude extract of propolis showed synergistic effect with some antibiotics in inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms.

Healing Activity of Propolis of Stingless Bee (Scaptotrigona aff. postica), Reared in Monoculture of Açaí (Euterpe oleracea), in Induced Wounds in Rats.

Wound healing is a complex and coordinated process involving interactions between cells and various messenger systems. This study conducted in vivo tests to determine the healing effect of propolis (PR)-based cream derived from the Amazon stingless bee, Scaptotrigona aff. postica, reared in açaí (Euterpe oleracea) monoculture, on induced wounds in rats. Data were obtained by monitoring injuries on 14 Wistar rats, divided into three groups (G1, G2 and G3), each receiving specific treatments: propolis-based cream (PR), collagenase (PC) and neutral cream (NC). Over the seven days of treatment, the lesions were measured using photographic records and ImageJ software to evaluate the healing effectiveness of the test cream. ImageJ software version 1.53g was used to compare the wound diameters for each treatment. After seven days, histopathological analyses of the induced lesions were performed. It was observed that collagenase (PC) and the test cream (PR) did not differ significantly in terms of wound diameter reduction. However, the propolis-based cream directly influenced the lesion maturation process and exhibited a milder inflammatory response compared to the positive control (PC). This effect is possibly associated with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds identified by GC/MS analysis in the propolis. Notably, this is the first report describing propolis of Scaptotrigona aff. postica obtained from açaí monocultures with strong healing potential, highlighting the identification of a high concentration of phenolic compounds that aid directly in wound repair.

Propolis in Human Health: Unraveling Chemistry, Applications, and Efficacy

The paper explores the diverse aspects of propolis, a resinous substance created by bees from botanical sources, presenting a comprehensive overview of its chemistry, applications, and efficacy in human health. Propolis, colloquially known as "bee glue," serves as a versatile material in hive construction and defense against diseases and predators. Its chemical composition, influenced by geographic origins, comprises a myriad of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, and more. The study delves into the pharmacological activities of propolis, emphasizing its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Propolis exhibits a direct correlation between its biological activity and the quality of its chemical constituents. The antioxidant activity, attributed to flavonoids, plays a crucial role in mitigating oxidative stress and associated chronic inflammation. Furthermore, the paper discusses the therapeutic potential of propolis in various health conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, COPD, and wound healing. In diabetes, propolis shows promise in reducing blood glucose levels and insulin resistance. Its cardioprotective effects are linked to antioxidant compounds, addressing oxidative stress in cardiovascular diseases. Propolis demonstrates anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects in respiratory conditions, providing potential relief for asthma and COPD patients. Additionally, propolis accelerates wound healing through its immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. In conclusion, propolis emerges as a natural resource with significant potential for human health, presenting a diverse array of bioactive compounds that contribute to its therapeutic efficacy across various medical conditions. The multifaceted nature of propolis makes it a subject of growing interest for further research and exploration in the field of medicine and healthcare.

Phytochemical Analysis and Biological Activities of Propolis from Geniotrigona thoracica: Evaluating its Therapeutic Applications

Phytochemical Analysis and Biological Activities of Propolis from Geniotrigona thoracica: Evaluating its Therapeutic Applications

Antimicrobial effectiveness of chestnut honey, pollen and propolis individually and in combination

The emergence of bacteria with antibiotic resistance and multiple resistance is characteristic of animal and human pathogens. It is wide known that bee products, which have been used in alternative medicine since ancient times, have antimicrobial potential. Application of bee products for therapeutic purposes is defined as apitherapy. The study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of commercial chestnut honey, pollen and propolis produced in western Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sanski Most) individually and in five combinations (apimixtures). The antimicrobial properties of samples were investigated using the agar well diffusion method against three Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii ATCC 6633, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 33591, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212); three Gram-negative bacteria (ESBL producing Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis ATCC 13076, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027) and one fungal species (Candida albicans ATCC 10231). Pure bee pollen inhibited the growth of only Gram-negative bacteria, concentrated chestnut honey was active against all Gram-negative and Gram-positivebacteria, while 20% propolis extract and apimixtures A2 (80% honey and 20% propolis) and A3 (60% honey, 20% pollen and 20% propolis extract) inhibited the growth of all tested microorganisms. Chestnut honey andthree apimixtures (A1, A2 and A3) showed the highest antibacterial action against all tested Gram-negative bacteria and MRSA compared to other investigated samples. In this study, examined honeybee products from Bosnia and Herzegovina and their mixtures had significant activity against tested bacteria, including strains with proven resistance to conventional antibiotics, MRSA and ESBL producing E. coli.

Cytotoxicity Effect of Aqueous Propolis Extract of Geniotrigona thoracica Sumatrans on Colo-201 Colon Cancer Cell Line and Senescence Colo-201 Colon Cancer Cell Line Induced by Low-dose Doxorubicin

Propolis, a resinous compound honeybees produce, demonstrates an extensive spectrum of powerful biological properties. However, the anti-cancer activity of propolis derived from Geniotrigona thoracica Sumatrans has yet to be reported. Thus, we sought to investigate the cytotoxicity of aqueous propolis extracts from Geniotrigona thoracica Sumatrans against Colo-201 colon cancer cell line and senescence Colo-201 colon cancer cell line induced by low-dose doxorubicin. This study was conducted at the Parasitology Laboratory of Human, Safety, and Environment, Universitas Padjadjaran Bandung from January to May 2024. This study assessed cell viability using the WST-1 test. Non-induced Colo-201 cells were treated with an aqueous extract of propolis (AEP) 100 ppm, or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 5 mg/ml as the positive control or water as a vehicle on untreated control. Colo-201 senescence was induced by doxorubicin 0.1 µM for three days. Doxorubicin-induced Colo-201 senescence was then treated with AEP 100 ppm, with 5-FU 5 mg/ml as the positive control, or with the combination of AEP 100 ppm and 5-FU 5 mg/ml, or water as a vehicle on untreated control. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, a one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s post hoc test. The results showed that AEP has cancer-killing effects on Colo-201 cells and Colo-201 senescent cells induced by low-dose doxorubicin. AEP-treated Colo-201 cells and Colo-201 senescent cells induced by low-dose doxorubicin viability were significantly reduced to 37.15% and 13.72%, respectively, although slightly higher than those of the 5-FU-treated one at this concentration. There was also a decrease in the cancer-killing effect of 5-FU from 88.55% in non-induced Colo-201 cells to 41.5% in the doxorubicin-induced Colo-201 senescence model. In conclusion, aqueous extract of propolis from Geniotrigona thoracica Sumatrans showed cancer-killing-effects both on the Colo-201 colon cancer cell line and senescence Colo-201 colon cancer cell line induced by low-dose doxorubicin.

Antioxidant activity of Zuccagnia-type propolis: A combined approach based on LC-HRMS analysis of bioanalytical-guided fractions and computational investigation

This study reports a combined approach to assess the antioxidant activity of Zuccagnia-type propolis. Fractions exhibiting the highest antioxidant activities evidenced by DPPH, a β-carotene bleaching and superoxide radical scavenging activity-non-enzymatic assays, were processed by LC-HRMS/MS to characterize the relevant chemical compounds. A computational protocol based on the DFT calculations was used to rationalize the main outcomes. Among the 28 identified flavonoids, caffeic acids derivatives were in the fraction exhibiting the highest antioxidant activity, with 1-methyl-3-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)-propyl caffeic acid ester and 1-methyl-3-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-propyl caffeic acid ester as major components. Results clearly showed roles of specific chemical motifs, which can be supported by the computational analysis.This is the first report ascribing the antioxidant ability of Zuccagnia-type propolis to its content in specific caffeic acid derivatives, a potential source of radical scavenging phytochemicals. The proposed protocol can be extended to the study of other plant-products to address the most interesting bioactive compounds.

Phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of Caucasian bee propolis at different locations, solvents, and temperatures.

Propolis is a natural substance produced by honey bees by processing the secretions collected from various plants with their own enzymes. Caucasian honey bee is one of the productive bee races known in the world and its homeland in Türkiye is Northeastern Anatolia. This study is the first comprehensive research to determine, compare, and correlate the effects of various solvents and temperatures on 17 different Caucasian bee propolis obtained from different locations in terms of phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The highest total polyphenol and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC) in Caucasian bee propolis extracts varied between 23.37-97.62 mg gallic acid per gram (GA/g) of propolis and 6.73-43.75 mg quercetin per gram (Q/g) of propolis in ethanolic extract at 60°C. While ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) did not differ at both temperatures, the highest was determined in ethanolic extracts. Analyses of propolis samples according to locations did not show any significant differences in terms of TPC, TFC, and FRAP. By Pearson's correlation analysis, it was found that each of the extracts showed a positive correlation between TPC, TFC, and FRAP. As a result, it was revealed that the main difference in the phenolic content and antioxidant activities of propolis obtained from gene centers of Caucasian bee race was due to the polarity of the solvent used and temperature, and that there was no difference between locations within a single bee race. This pioneering study shows that Caucasian bee propolis has a high potential that can pave the way for different research in this field.

The Chemical Compositions and Antimicrobial Activity of Propolis: A Review Article

The Chemical Compositions and Antimicrobial Activity of Propolis: A Review Article

Bacteriostatic activity of propolis and geopropolis in sausages contaminated by Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

La contaminación alimentaria constituye un importante desafío para la salud pública, ya que origina enfermedades causadas por bacterias patógenas. A nivel global, impacta a millones de personas y provoca miles de muertes anuales; los niños menores de cinco años representan el 40% de los casos y sufren un número significativo de fallecimientos cada año a causa de estas bacterias. Este estudio evaluó la eficacia del propóleo y geopropóleo como agentes bacterioestáticos contra Escherichia coli y Staphylococcus aureus en salchichas contaminadas. Se emplearon ocho grupos de salchichas, tratándose tres con extracto etanólico de propóleo (20, 30 y 50%), tres con extracto etanólico de geopropóleo (20, 30 y 50%), un grupo control positivo con nitratos y uno negativo con alcohol (70%). Los resultados iniciales mostraron que el grupo control negativo presentó el mayor crecimiento de S. aureus, mientras que los tratamientos con propóleo al 50%, geopropóleo al 50% y nitratos mostraron los menores crecimientos microbianos. Similarmente, la concentración de E. coli disminuyó significativamente en todos los grupos, excepto en el grupo control tratado con alcohol, donde aumentó. El análisis ANOVA confirmó diferencias significativas, indicando que tanto el propóleo como el geopropóleo, especialmente a concentraciones específicas, son efectivos para inhibir el crecimiento de estos microorganismos en productos cárnicos, destacando su potencial como conservantes naturales.

Botanical Origin and Biological Properties of Honey and Propolis from Cuautitlan, State of Mexico, Mexico.

Beekeeping is an activity that generates various products, mainly honey and propolis, with different biological activities that are studied extensively using various methodologies. The influence of various phenolic compounds, such as phenols and flavonoids, which are synthesized and concentrated differently in each product depending on the melliferous flora and sources of resources, on the manufacture of propolis or honey has been investigated. However, the analysis of these products has been performed separately and is outdated in time, and depending on the area and the flowering periods, different crops may be harvested. The analysis of the honey and propolis produced in Cuautitlan, State of Mexico, in the high plateau beekeeping zone, for a period of four years, both in the dry and rainy seasons, was proposed to determine the botanical origin of the honey and propolis. The primary pollen type in both honey and propolis was from Brassica rapa. Physicochemical tests were conducted, revealing higher concentrations of antimicrobial activity in the dry season than in the rainy season. Honey, propolis, and a vegetation extract showed activity against S. aureus, while only honey had an effect on E. coli in both seasons. For antifungal activity, only propolis collected in the rainy season had this activity. The biological properties of these products are closely related to the flora that varies both annually and between seasons, influencing the concentrations of phenolic compounds, as well as the biological activity of honey and propolis.

Synergistic Antibacterial Activity of Propolis in Combination with Eucalyptus Globulus Essential Oil Against Bacterial Strains Isolated From Bovine Mastitis

Synergistic Antibacterial Activity of Propolis in Combination with Eucalyptus Globulus Essential Oil Against Bacterial Strains Isolated From Bovine Mastitis

Bibliometric analysis of the top 100 most-cited articles concerning the use of propolis in dentistry

Aim: The objective of this bibliometric analysis was to identify and analyze the key characteristics of the 100 most-cited articles related to the use of propolis in dentistry. Methods: The search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection, and two independent reviewers selected the articles, excluding meeting articles. The number of citations for each article was compared across the Scopus and Google Scholar databases. The extracted data included the number and density of citations, year of publication, journal and impact factor, study design and theme, country and continent, institution, keywords, and authors. VOSviewer software was employed to generate collaborative network maps. Spearman correlation and Poisson regression analyses were performed on the data. Results: The number of citations ranged from 26 to 247, with a citation density varying between 1.08 and 20.00. Articles were published between 1991 and 2021, with laboratory studies (70%) and antimicrobial activity (39%) being the most prevalent study design and theme, respectively. The most discussed dental specialty was microbiology (49%). Rosalen PL (27%) emerged as the author with the highest number of articles, and the University of Campinas (Brazil) was the most prolific institution. Poisson regression indicated a declining trend in citations over the years, though literature reviews exhibited higher citation performance. Brazil contributed the highest percentage of articles (41%). Conclusion: In conclusion, the 100 most-cited articles predominantly comprised laboratory studies investigating the antimicrobial activity of propolis, primarily originating from Brazil, with notable emphasis on the University of Campinas.

Antiviral action of aqueous extracts of propolis from Scaptotrigona aff. postica (Hymenoptera; Apidae) against Zica, Chikungunya, and Mayaro virus

The limited availability of antivirals for new highly pathogenic strains of virus has become a serious public health. Therefore, news products against these pathogens has become an urgent necessity. Among the multiple sources for news antibiotics and antivirals, insect exudates or their products has become an increasingly frequent option. Insects emerged 350 million years ago and have showed a high adaptability and resistance to the most varied biomes. Their survival for so long, in such different environments, is an indication that they have a very efficient protection against environmental infections, despite not having a developed immune system like mammals. Since the ancient civilizations, the products obtained from the bee have been of great pharmacological importance, being used as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and several other functions. Investigations of biological activity of propolis have been carried out, mainly in the species Apis mellifera, and its product have showed activity against some important viruses. However, for the Meliponini species, known as stingless bees, there are few studies, either on their chemical composition or on their biological activities. The importance of studying these bees is because they come from regions with native forests, and therefore with many species of plants not yet studied, in addition to which they are regions still free of pesticides, which guarantees a greater fidelity of the obtained data. Previous studies by our group with crude hydroalcoholic extract of propolis demonstrated an intense antiviral activity against Herpes, influenza, and rubella viruses. In this work, we chose to use aqueous extracts, which eliminates the presence of other compounds besides those originally present in propolis, in addition to extracting substances different from those obtained in alcoholic extracts. Therefore, this study aimed to identify, isolate and characterize compounds with antiviral effects from aqueous propolis extracts from Scaptotrigona aff postica, in emerging viruses such as zicavirus, chikungunya, and mayaro virus. The evaluation of the antiviral activity of the crude and purified material was performed by reducing infectious foci in VERO cell cultures. The results obtained with crude propolis, indicate a high reduction of zica virus (64×) and mayaro (128×) when was used 10% v/v of propolis. The reduction of chikungunya virus was of 256 fold, even when was used 5% v/v of propolis. The chemical characterization of the compounds present in the extracts was performed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Through the purification of propolis by HPLC and mass spectrometry, it was possible to identify and isolate a peak with antiviral activity. This substance showed activity against all viruses tested. When purified fraction was used, the reduction observed was of 16 fold for zicavirus, 32 fold for mayaro virus and 512 fold for chikungunya virus. Likewise, it was observed that the antiviral response was concentration dependent, being more intense when propolis was added 2 h after the viral infection. Now we are carrying out the chemical characterization of the purified compounds that showed antiviral action.

Stability of Propolis Phenolics during Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Procedures.

Propolis has gained popularity in recent years as a potential preventive and therapeutic agent due to its numerous health benefits, which include immune system boosting, blood pressure lowering, allergy treatment, and skin disease treatment. The pharmacological activity of propolis is primarily attributed to phenolics and their interactions with other compounds. Given that phenols account for most of propolis's biological activity, various extraction methods are being developed. The resin-wax composition of the propolis matrix necessitates the development of an extraction procedure capable of breaking matrix-phenol bonds while maintaining phenol stability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the stability of two major groups of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and phenolic acids, in propolis methanol/water 50/50 (v/v) extracts obtained after ultrasound-assisted extraction (USE) under different extraction parameters (extraction time and pH) and heat reflux extraction (HRE). The methodology involved varying the USE parameters, including extraction time (5, 10, and 15 min) and pH (2 and 7), followed by analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantify phenolic recoveries. Results revealed that benzoic acid and chlorogenic acid derivatives demonstrated excellent stability across all ultrasound extraction procedures. The recoveries of flavonoids were highly diverse, with luteolin, quercitrin, and hesperetin being the most stable. Overall, neutral pH improved flavonoid recovery, whereas phenolic acids remained more stable at pH = 2. The most important optimization parameter was USE time, and it was discovered that 15 min of ultrasound resulted in the best recoveries for most of the phenols tested, implying that phenols bind strongly to the propolis matrix and require ultrasound to break the bond. However, the high variability in phenol extraction and recovery after spiking the propolis sample shows that no single extraction method can produce the highest yield of all phenols tested. As a result, when working with a complex matrix like propolis, the extraction techniques and procedures for each phenol need to be optimized.