Propolis Extract Research Articles

Chemical Composition and Neuroprotective Properties of Indonesian Stingless Bee (Geniotrigona thoracica) Propolis Extract in an In-Vivo Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH).

Stroke is the world's second-leading cause of death. Current treatments for cerebral edema following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) mainly involve hyperosmolar fluids, but this approach is often inadequate. Propolis, known for its various beneficial properties, especially antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, could potentially act as an adjunctive therapy and help alleviate stroke-associated injuries. The chemical composition of Geniotrigona thoracica propolis extract was analyzed by GC-MS after derivatization for its total phenolic and total flavonoid content. The total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of the propolis extract were 1037.31 ± 24.10 μg GAE/mL and 374.02 ± 3.36 μg QE/mL, respectively. By GC-MS analysis, its major constituents were found to be triterpenoids (22.4% of TIC). Minor compounds, such as phenolic lipids (6.7% of TIC, GC-MS) and diterpenic acids (2.3% of TIC, GC-MS), were also found. Ninety-six Sprague Dawley rats were divided into six groups; namely, the control group, the ICH group, and four ICH groups that received the following therapies: mannitol, propolis extract (daily oral propolis administration after the ICH induction), propolis-M (propolis and mannitol), and propolis-B+A (daily oral propolis administration 7 days prior to and 72 h after the ICH induction). Neurocognitive functions of the rats were analyzed using the rotarod challenge and Morris water maze. In addition, the expression of NF-κB, SUR1-TRPM4, MMP-9, and Aquaporin-4 was analyzed using immunohistochemical methods. A TUNEL assay was used to assess the percentage of apoptotic cells. Mannitol significantly improved cognitive-motor functions in the ICH group, evidenced by improved rotarod and Morris water maze completion times, and lowered SUR-1 and Aquaporin-4 levels. It also significantly decreased cerebral edema by day 3. Similarly, propolis treatments (propolis-A and propolis-B+A) showed comparable improvements in these tests and reduced edema. Moreover, combining propolis with mannitol (propolis-M) further enhanced these effects, particularly in reducing edema and the Virchow-Robin space. These findings highlight the potential of propolis from the Indonesian stingless bee, Geniotrigona thoracica, from the Central Tapanuli region as a neuroprotective, adjunctive therapy.

Investigation of antifungal and antibacterial potential of green extracts of propolis

Propolis extracts have been used in traditional medicines since ages due to its advantageous complex chemical composition. However, the antibacterial and antifungal activity of poplar propolis extracts prepared in Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NADES) are seldom studied. This study investigates suitable alternate for ethanol as a solvent for extraction for Polish poplar propolis. It also attempts to identify suitable extraction condition for the efficient transfer of compounds from propolis to the solvents. The extraction efficiency of NADES extracts was assessed in terms of total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity. The chemical composition of the extracts was analysed using UHPLC-DAD-QqTOF-MS. Four extracts, prepared in Propylene Glycol, Choline Chloride:Propylene Glycol (1:3), Choline Chloride:Propylene Glycol (1:4) and Choline Chloride:Glycerol (1:2), demonstrated activity and properties similar to ethanolic extract and extraction at 50 °C was found the most suitable for propolis. HPLC analysis confirmed that the chemical cocktail extracted by these solvents from propolis were identical with minor variations in their concentration as compared to its ethanolic extract. Thus, extracts of propolis at 50 °C in Propylene Glycol, Choline Chloride:Propylene Glycol (1:3) and Choline Chloride:Propylene Glycol (1:4) can be alternates for ethanolic extracts.

Propolis Reduces Inflammation and Dyslipidemia Caused by High-Cholesterol Diet in Mice by Lowering ADAM10/17 Activities.

Atherosclerosis is one of the most important causes of cardiovascular diseases. A disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM)10 and ADAM17 have been identified as important regulators of inflammation in recent years. Our study investigated the effect of inhibiting these enzymes with selective inhibitor and propolis on atherosclerosis. In our study, C57BL/6J mice (n = 16) were used in the control and sham groups. In contrast, ApoE-/- mice (n = 48) were used in the case, water extract of propolis (WEP), ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP), GW280264X (GW-synthetic inhibitor), and solvent (DMSO and ethanol) groups. The control group was fed a control diet, and all other groups were fed a high-cholesterol diet for 16 weeks. WEP (400 mg/kg/day), EEP (200 mg/kg/day), and GW (100 µg/kg/day) were administered intraperitoneally for the last four weeks. Animals were sacrificed, and blood, liver, aortic arch, and aortic root tissues were collected. In serum, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), and glucose (Glu) were measured by enzymatic colorimetric method, while interleukin-1β (IL-1β), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase-A2 (Lp-PLA2) were measured by ELISA. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-12 (IL-12) levels were measured in aortic arch by ELISA and ADAM10/17 activities were measured fluorometrically. In addition, aortic root and liver tissues were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically (ADAM10 and sortilin primary antibody). In the WEP, EEP, and GW groups compared to the case group, TC, TG, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, PLA2, MPO, ADAM10/17 activities, plaque burden, lipid accumulation, ADAM10, and sortilin levels decreased, while IL-10 and PON-1 levels increased (p < 0.003). Our study results show that propolis can effectively reduce atherosclerosis-related inflammation and dyslipidemia through ADAM10/17 inhibition.

Emulsion-based edible chitosan film containing propolis extract to extend the shelf life of strawberries

In this study, propolis was first loaded into a conventional oil-in-water emulsion, which was combined with a chitosan film-forming solution to produce propolis emulsion-loaded film (PEF). Strawberries inoculated with Botrytis cinerea coated with PEF and blank emulsion-loaded films (BEF) were stored for 14 days at 4 °C. Compared to BEF, PEF showed superior mechanical and oxygen barrier properties, as well as antioxidant activities, but higher moisture permeability. PEF showed less oil agglomeration on the film surface after drying, as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Compared to uncoated strawberries, coatings did not have a significant effect on weight loss or firmness during storage. In contrast, coated strawberries showed elevated total phenolics, anthocyanins, and ascorbic acid retention; however, PEF-coating yielded higher values. Moreover, the PEF coating resulted in a significantly lower reduction of organic acid and total soluble solids. Mold growth was visible in both uncoated and BEF-coated strawberries after 7 days of storage, while PEF-coated fruits showed no visible mold until the end of storage. Starting from day 4, PEF-coated fruits showed lower mold counts (~2 log CFU/g) than other samples. Therefore, the PEF prepared in this study has application potential for the preservation of fresh fruits.

Production of ceramic alumina scaffolds via ceramic stereolithography with potential application in bone tissue regeneration

Scaffolds are devices that mimic the characteristics of the extracellular matrix; they are highly porous, with well-distributed and interconnected pores. Tissue engineering proposes scaffolds as an alternative treatment for different diseases and injuries affecting bone tissue. Triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) are geometric structures whose characteristics fit well with the scaffold’s requirements. Ceramic stereolithography enables the production of these complex geometries with high precision using ceramic materials. Alumina (Al2O3) is a well-known ceramic material appreciated for its chemical and mechanical stability properties. The biomedical use of alumina as an alternative to replace metallic parts in bone components has been increasing. In this work, a suspension of alumina particles in a photopolymerizable resin is developed in order to be implemented in the printing of ceramic scaffolds with TPMS-type geometries by ceramic stereolithography for potential biomedical applications. The resin used was characterized in a different work by TGA and FTIR (Duque et al., 2023) and is acrylic in nature, also the alumina particles were characterized by DTP and XRD, these are micrometer sized and a showed an α-alumina phase with a high degree of crystallinity. The rheological behavior of the suspension was studied with ceramic load percentages of 35, 40, and 50 vol% in order to choose the most favorable conditions for piece printing. The three suspensions presented low viscosities, being the 50 vol% sample the one that presented the highest viscosity, with an average value of 0.77 Pa s. These viscosities were suitable for the ceramic stereolithography printing process. The 50 vol% suspension was characterized by TGA and DSC and did not show any difference compared to the resin without particles. Scaffolds with TPMS Gyroid and Schwartz P geometry were obtained by ceramic stereolithography and characterized morphologically and mechanically before and after sintering. The thermal treatment was successful. The polymer-ceramic scaffolds before sintering exhibited better compression resistance than the sintered ones. Fully ceramic scaffolds with gyroid geometry showed compressive strength values of 0.4 MPa, which is comparable to human trabecular bone. The best compression resistance was for the samples with the gyroid geometry. Since the 50 vol% sintered scaffolds with gyroid geometry showed better mechanical results, they were impregnated with propolis extracts from the Arauca region of Colombia in order to evaluate their antimicrobial activity against the standard strains Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29212) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922). The evaluated scaffolds exhibited better antibacterial activity against the S. aureus strain. After sintering, the 50Al scaffolds were submitted to a degradation test in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to assess the chemical stability of the alumina. The results indicated that the samples maintained their initial weight throughout the testing period, with measurements taken on days 1, 5, 8, and 12 showing no significant changes in weight loss percentage. This stability suggests that the alumina scaffolds possess robust chemical resistance under the tested conditions.

Preparative Fractionation of Brazilian Red Propolis Extract Using Step-Gradient Counter-Current Chromatography.

Propolis is a resinous bee product with a very complex composition, which is dependent upon the plant sources that bees visit. Due to the promising antimicrobial activities of red Brazilian propolis, it is paramount to identify the compounds responsible for it, which, in most of the cases, are not commercially available. The aim of this study was to develop a quick and clean preparative-scale methodology for preparing fractions of red propolis directly from a complex crude ethanol extract by combining the extractive capacity of counter-current chromatography (CCC) with preparative HPLC. The CCC method development included step gradient elution for the removal of waxes (which can bind to and block HPLC columns), sample injection in a single solvent to improve stationary phase stability, and a change in the mobile phase flow pattern, resulting in the loading of 2.5 g of the Brazilian red propolis crude extract on a 912.5 mL Midi CCC column. Three compounds were subsequently isolated from the concentrated fractions by preparative HPLC and identified by NMR and high-resolution MS: red pigment, retusapurpurin A; the isoflavan 3(R)-7-O-methylvestitol; and the prenylated benzophenone isomers xanthochymol/isoxanthochymol. These compounds are markers of red propolis that contribute to its therapeutic properties, and the amount isolated allows for further biological activities testing and for their use as chromatographic standards.

In vitro gastrointestinal digestion of a novel toffee type soft candy formulated by a latex obtained from Gundelia tournefortii L. and enriched with a lactic acid-based propolis extract

In this study, a toffee type soft candy product was developed for the first time with a new production process by means of using a plant based latex (kenger gum) obtained from Gundelia tournefortii L. D-optimal mixture design was used for the optimization of components in the kenger gum added sugared (KGS) and sugar-free (KGSF) candy samples. According to optimization step, the amounts of kenger gum that provided the best sensory scores were found as 2.16 g/100 g and 2.00 g/100 g sample for KGS and KGSF formulations, respectively, and then lactic acid (80 %) based propolis extract (LPE, 0.5 %, 1 %, 2.5 %) were added to these novel candy samples. According to the results, water activity values were determined as 0.6210–0.6315, 0.6197–0.6290 and 0.5226–0.5313 for the control, KGS, and KGSF groups, respectively. Considering the instrumental texture and color parameters, use of kenger gum and different amounts of LPE caused differences in the characteristic properties of samples. Compared to the control group, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, and rosmarinic acid were detected in the samples with added kenger gum. The presence of both kenger gum and LPE in candy samples might have resulted with an interaction and affected the in vitro bioaccessibility of the phenolic compounds.

Green Propolis: A Review of Pharmaceutical Patents with Potential Therapeutic Applications

Abstract: Green propolis is a resin produced from Baccharis dracunculifolia, which has as its main compounds flavonoids, derivatives of cinnamic acids, such as artepillin C and baccarin. This resin has antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. This review aimed to analyze pharmaceutical patents containing green propolis in various formulations. The search was conducted in the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), the Patent Search of Spain and Latin America (Latipat-Espacenet), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and Google Patents, with a combination of the keywords green propolis, green propolis extract, pharmacology, and pharmaceutical product. Primary research identified 60 patents, from which 22 were selected after applying the inclusion criteria. The selected patents referred to products with pharmacological activities, from cancer treatment to food supplements and included innovations for improved controlled release of the green propolis compounds. Most of the documents concerned the preparation and/or formulation of the green propolis extract, followed by innovative extraction methods, treatment and systemic use, and finally by topical use and quality control techniques and procedures. Thus, the reviewed patents of green propolis provided valuable insights into the pharmaceutical applications of green propolis, showing its potential in diverse formulations and treatments.

Total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of ethanolic propolis extracts

Propolis is a beekeeping by-product with a high content of polyphenols that manifests antioxidant action. In this article was conducted the comparative study of the obtained results regarding the total polyphenol content of propolis extracts and their antioxidant activity depending on several factors: solvent concentration, extraction method. The total polyphenol content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and the antioxidant activity by the DPPH method. The analysis of the data revealed that the total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity is largely depended by the solvent concentration, optimal for obtaining ethanolic extracts of propolis with a high content of polyphenols, being ethyl alcohol with a concentration of 70%.

Propolis from the North-East region of India exhibits potent antioxidant and anticancer activity against breast cancer cells

Propolis has several uses in human health, including its role as a nutritious and beneficial dietary component, as well as a folk medicine. In this study, we aimed to explore the phytochemical and anticancer activity of propolis collected by honeybees in Assam, India. The chloroform fraction (CF) from the ethanol extract of propolis was screened for antioxidant activity and in vitro cytotoxicity. Finally, the chemical composition of CF was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. CF was found to contain 223.44 ± 5.16 mg/g gallic acid equivalents of total phenolic content and 114.43 ± 7.087 mg quercetin/g of flavonoids. The CF presented antioxidant activities against 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2, 2′-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt free radicals, with IC50 values recorded as 68.54 ± 3.1% and 7.26 ± 0.55, respectively. The fractions exhibited growth inhibition in breast cancer cells. The cell migration capacity of both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells was significantly decreased by CF. Additionally, the fraction was observed to arrest the cell cycle of MDA-MB-231 cells at the S phase and of MCF-7 cells at the G2/M phase. In MDA-MB-231 cells, CF enhanced p53 expression and downregulated CDK2, Cyclin A, Cdc25A, and Cyclin D1, expression whereas in MCF-7 cells, CF downregulated CDK1 and Cyclin B1 expression. Furthermore, confocal microscopy revealed a decrease in the expression of the Ki-67 protein in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells following treatment with CF. The propolis from north-east India exhibited antioxidant and anticancer properties in vitro, suggesting its therapeutic potential for breast cancer.

Casein‐based nanocarriers for encapsulation of propolis extract: Design, fabrication, and characterization

AbstractBackgroundPropolis exhibits multiple biological and pharmacological properties attributed to the presence of natural bio active compounds. In spite of its potential healthy effects, its use in health‐food and pharmaceutical products is very restricted due to its intense aroma, highly unstable, low aqueous solubility, and low bioavailability. The purpose of this study is to fabricate an appropriate, stable, and biodegradable casein‐based nanocarrier as propolis delivery system. Propolis‐loaded casein nanocarriers were prepared at different propolis extract/caseinate ratio and assessed for physicochemical, structural, and thermal properties.ResultsThe nanocarriers showed an increase of particle size augmenting propolis extract/caseinate ratio and caseinate concentration. Image processing studies revealed an increase in L* parameter (89.743), while b* parameter revealed a reduction in the yellow color (14.655) increasing the amount propolis extract in the nanocarrier. Surface photomicrographs evidenced that an increment of propolis extract decreased the network compactness of the nanocarriers correlated with the lower entrapment of propolis extract into carriers at higher propolis extract/caseinate ratio. X‐ray diffraction pattern suggested that propolis encapsulation produced a decrement in the caseinate crystallinity while differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis thermograms evidenced an increment of thermal stability of nanocarrier with increasing propolis extract content.ConclusionPropolis extract encapsulated within casein nanocarriers represented convenient physicochemical attributes and could provide as bioactive load in food/medical system.

An integrated investigation into the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of propolis against Escherichia coli cect 515: A dual in vitro and in silico analysis

Urinary tract infections resulting from Escherichia coli, are prevalent and have become increasingly difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to explore the potential of propolis extract from beehives in Algeria’s Tiout region as a natural antibacterial agent against E. coli CECT_515. The phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial action of the extract has been evaluated and compared to four synthetic antibiotics, both in vitro and in silico. The propolis extract had high levels of total polyphenol and total flavonoids, regarding its antioxidant properties, the extract showed an important ability of DPPH radicals scavenging, as determined by its IC50 value of 330.08±13.35 μg/mL. The excerpt showed important antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli, as demonstrated with important inhibition zones. The extract’s inhibitory effects were compared to four synthetic antibiotics, including gentamicin, pipemidic acid, cefazolin, and colistin, molecular docking analysis revealed that the propolis extract interacted with the active site of beta-lactamase, a protein responsible for antibiotic resistance, and showed binding affinities and conformational stability during molecular dynamics simulation for 250 ns. Overall, the results suggest that the propolis has significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties and could serve as a promising natural alternative to synthetic antibiotics for the treatment of E. coli infections.

Fatty acid composition of meat snacks with the addition of bee products

Determining the fatty acid composition of meat snacks with the addition of bee products is necessary to assess their nutritional value, as the content of different fatty acids affects the nutritional quality of the final product, which is important for consumer health. Improving the product's quality by reducing saturated fatty acids and increasing unsaturated ones, especially omega-3 and polyunsaturated fatty acids, makes meat snacks healthier for consumers and expands their use. A proper balance of fatty acids can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and inflammatory processes. Products with a better fatty acid profile may also be more appealing to health-conscious consumers. The aim of this study was to investigate the fatty acid composition of meat snacks with the addition of bee products according to various recipes. The determination was carried out using gas chromatography of methyl esters of fatty acids on a Trace Ultra gas chromatograph with a flame ionization detector, using a capillary column SP-2560 (Supelco). It was found that the addition of bee products to chicken meat snacks increased the omega-3 content by 2.6–3.3 times compared to the control and polyunsaturated fatty acids from 79.7% to 86%. The obtained results allow us to consider meat snacks with the addition of bee products as having a positive impact on health. The reduction in the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio from 10.2 in the control to 5.15–7.03 in the experimental samples proves the improvement in fatty acid balance, which may contribute to reducing inflammatory processes and improving overall health. A decrease in saturated fatty acids from 28.05% to 31.06% compared to the control has been proven, which is desirable for cardiovascular health. Slight positive changes in the content of monounsaturated fatty acids were observed. Overall, an improvement in the fatty acid composition of meat snacks with the addition of bee products (honey, water extract of propolis, bee pollen) was observed. The obtained research results will be useful when planning the production of meat snacks, considering the regulation of fatty acid composition, safety, and quality of the resulting products.

Chrysin reduces heart endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis by inhibiting PERK and Caspase 3-7 in high-fat diet-fed rats.

Chrysin (Chy) is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in fruits, vegetables, honey, propolis, and many plant extracts that has shown notable medicinal value. Chy exhibits diverse pharmacological properties, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-cholesteremic, and cardioprotective. However, the influence of Chy in mitigating high-fat diet (HFD)-induced ER stress of rat myocardium remains unknown. The current work intended to determine the therapeutic potential of Chy against HFD-induced endoplasmic stress-mediated apoptosis. To evaluate the therapeutic value of Chy in HFD-induced endoplasmic stress-mediated apoptosis in the myocardium; The male wistar rats were divided into different groups; control, HFD control, HFD fed followed by Chy-treated and HFD fed followed by atorvastatin (Atv) treated rats. When compared to the control group, the HFD-fed rats had significantly higher levels of marker enzymes such as CK-NAC and ALP, as well as lipid peroxidation and lipid profile (TC, TG, LDL, and VLDL). Chy therapy greatly reversed these marker enzymes and the lipid profile. qRT-PCR Studies showed that Chy supplementation considerably improved Nrf2 and its target genes. In addition, Chy lowered the expression of PERK, CHOP, ATF6, GRP78, and Caspase-3 genes in the heart tissue of HFD-fed rats. Immunohistochemistry results demonstrated that Chy substantially enhanced the Nrf2 and reduced PERK and Caspase3-7 protein expression in HFD-fed rats. The current study concluded that Chy may mediate the cardioprotective effect by activating Nrf2 and inhibiting PERK signaling pathway against ER stress-mediated apoptosis induced by HFD. Therefore, supplementation with Chy could serve as a promising therapeutic target against HFD-induced ER stress-mediated cardiac complication.

GC-MS analysis of ethanolic extract of propolis from Jhajjar district in Haryana, India

Aim: To analyse the chemical composition of ethanolic extract of propolis, a glue like resinous natural material collected by worker honey bees from Jhajjar district of Haryana. Methodology: Chemical composition analysis of the ethanolic extract of propolis sample collected from Jhajjar district of Haryana, India was determined by Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Propolis sample was crushed to powdered form and extracted using 70% ethanol and kept for around 20 days. The supernatant was then filtered and thereafter, the filtered extract was dried and collected in a clean vial. Results: GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of hydrocarbons, sugars, fatty acids, carboxylic acid, alcohols, ethers, carbamate ester and other organic compounds. Interpretation: The results revealed the presence of diverse biochemical constituents which can be utilized in therapeutics of several ailments to enhance the quality of life by improving human health. Key words: Chemical profile, Fatty acids, Organic compounds, Propolis

Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant, Enzyme Inhibition, Acute Toxicity, In Silico Molecular Docking and Dynamic Analysis of Apis Mellifera Propolis as Antidiabetic Supplement.

This study aims to identify the phytochemical profile of Apis mellifera propolis and explore the potential of its anti-diabetic activity through inhibition of α-amylase (α-AE), α-glucosidase(α-GE), as well as novel antidiabetic compounds of propolis. Apis mellifera propolis extract (AMPE) exhibited elevated polyphenol 33.26±0.17 (mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (15.45±0.13 mg RE/g). It also indicated moderate strong antioxidant activity (IC50 793.09±1.94 μg/ml). This study found that AMPE displayed promising α-AE and α-GE inhibition through in vitro study. Based on LC-MS/MS screening, 18 unique AMPE compounds were identified, with majorly belonging to anthraquinone and flavonoid compounds. Furthermore, in silico study determined that 8 compounds of AMPE exhibited strong binding to α-AE that specifically interacted with its catalytic residue of ASP197. Moreover, 2 compounds exhibit potential inhibition of α-GE, by interacting with crucial amino acids of ARG315, ASP352, and ASP69. Finally, we suggested that 2,7-Dihydroxy-1-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene and 3(3-(3,4-Dihydroxybenzyl)-7-hydroxychroman-4-one as novel inhibitors of α-AE and α-GE. Notably, these compounds were initially discovered from Apis mellifera propolis in this study. The molecular dynamic analysis confirmed their stable binding with both enzymes over 100 ns simulations. The in vivo acute toxicity assay reveals AMPE as a practically non-toxic product with an LD50 value of 16,050 mg/kg. Therefore, this propolis may serve as a promising natural product for diabetes mellitus treatment.

Phenolic fingerprint of Macedonian propolis

Propolis is a chemically complex resinous material collected by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from tree buds and resins, comprising plant exudates, secreted substances from bee metabolism, pollen and waxes. Its chemical composition depends strongly on the plant sources available around the beehive, which have a direct impact оn the quality and bioactivity of the propolis. In this study, the composition of phenolic compounds in 13 Macedonian propolis extracts was investigated by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. Overall, the UV spectra, the MS and MS/MS data allowed the identification of 36 compounds. The major constituents of propolis were phenolic acids (caffeic and coumaric) and their esters (methyl, (iso)prenyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, cinnamyl), flavonols (quercetin, kaemferol), flavones (chrysin, apigenin, acacetin), flavanonols (pinobanksin) flavanones (pinocembrin naringenin, hesperetin, pinostrobin) and their methylated/esterified derivatives. The results reveal that Macedonian propolis contains a diversity of phenolic compounds confirming that it is a poplar type of propolis with higher phenolic content (ranging from 43.75–637.94 mg/g) than reported in previous studies in the region and beyond in Europe (&lt; 80 mg/g). This suggests the potential significance of Macedonian propolis as a valuable source of bioactive compounds with health benefits as well as for unlocking its economic potential for industry and beekeepers.

Bioactives of Melipona rufiventris Propolis: Exploring its Antimicrobial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antioxidant Activities.

This study explores the potential of propolis, a resinous substance produced by bees, from Melipona rufiventris species. With its composition encompassing resin, wax, pollen, and soil, propolis holds historical significance in traditional medicine within tropical regions. This research is driven by the scarcity of information surrounding M. rufiventris propolis, prompting an investigation into its chemical constituents, in vivo toxicity, and antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This exploration could potentially uncover novel applications for this natural product, bolstering both meliponiculture practices and the preservation of native bee populations. The propolis was sampled in Cabo Verde-MG and underwent ethanolic extraction to yield an extract (EEP) for analysis. Chemical assessments (Folin-Ciocalteau, and UHPLC-HRMS) revealed the presence of polyphenols, including flavonoids. The EEP demonstrated higher antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and exhibited efficacy against multiresistant strains isolated from complex wounds. Synergistic interactions with commercial antibiotics were also observed. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory evaluations showcased the EEP's potential in reducing NF-kB activation and TNF-α release at non-toxic concentrations. Despite these promising biological activities, the EEP exhibited no antiproliferative effects and demonstrated safety in both the MTS assay and the G. mellonella model. Collectively, these findings highlight the M. rufiventris propolis extract as a valuable reservoir of bioactive compounds with multifaceted potential.

A validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of Brazilian green propolis main compounds

Brazilian green propolis is used in folk medicine because of its various biological properties. The hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian green propolis is characteristic for possessing several pharmacological properties. Phytochemical investigations have attributed some of these properties to the presence of compounds, which were chosen as analytical markers. This paper reports the development and analytical validation using UPLC-MS/MS in MRM mode. Veratraldehyde was used as an internal standard in qualitative and quantitative analyses of the extracts. Relative standard deviation values obtained for intra-day and inter-day precision were lower than 4%. Of the five parameters for robustness, wavelength detection and flow rate were the critical ones. Limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.300 to 39.500 ng.mL−1 and from 1.400 to 85.00 ng.mL−1, respectively. The recoveries were between 94.00 and 119.00%, with relative standard deviation values around 5.0%. The developed method is precise, sensitive, and reliable for analysing Brazilian green propolis.

Compositional Characterization and Bioactive Potential of Two Bee Formulas with the Addition of Natural Oils

Bee products and natural oils are appreciated due to their beneficial effects on health, which are strongly related to several pharmacological and biological activities. The present study aimed to assess the bioactive potential of two bee products with the addition of natural oils, the first product consisting of honeydew honey, soft propolis extract and Thymus sp. (thyme) essential oil, whereas the second product comprises honeydew honey and Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn) oil. In order to reach the proposed goal, the following analyses were carried out: determination of the physico-chemical parameters of the honeydew honey sample, used as a common basis for the two products; compositional analysis of sea buckthorn oil (total carotenoids, fatty acids, tocopherols, sterols) and thyme essential oil (organic compounds); evaluation of the total polyphenols and flavones/flavonols content; evaluation of the antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP methods). The results highlighted the superior quality and compliance with the legal framework of the honeydew honey sample and natural oils. Moreover, the two investigated products exhibited a rich content of bioactive compounds as well as good antioxidant activity.