Propolis Supplementation Research Articles

Determination of chloramphenicol in propolis and propolis-derived dietary supplements by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A method for determining chloramphenicol (CAP) in both propolis and propolis-derived dietary supplements was developed by utilizing high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The flavones in the samples were removed with a lead acetate solution and ammonia, and the fat-soluble interferences, such as beewax and vegetable oils, were removed with n-hexane after the sample dissolved in ethanol. Tert-butyl methyl ether was used as the back-extraction solvent to reduce co-extracting compounds, such as polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) and glycerol, which are common adjuvants of dietary supplements, and some polar interferences. CAP was detected by HPLC-MS/MS and quantified by the internal standard method. The calibration curve showed a good linearity in the range of 0.20-50.0 μg/L. The limits of detection and the limits of quantification were 0.03 and 0.1 μg/kg, respectively. The recoveries in four different matrices at three spiked levels were in the 86.0%-114.4% range with the relative standard deviations from 0.3% to 4.9%. With the advantages of excellent universality, ease of operation, high sensitivity, and strong anti-interference capability, the proposed method was suitable for the determination of CAP in both propolis and propolis-derived dietary supplements.

The protective effects of propolis and flunixin meglumine on feed intake, antioxidant status and histological parameters in liver and kidney tissues against excess copper in rats

This experiment was conducted to determine the protective effects of flunixin meglumine and propolis on feed intake, antioxidant status and histological parameters in kidney and liver tissues in rats exposed to excessive copper. In this study individually housed thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Animals were randomly divided into six groups; control, copper sulphate (500 mg/kg BW/day, gavage), flunixin meglumine (2.2 mg/kg BW/day, ip), propolis (100 mg/kg BW/day, gavage), copper sulphate+flunixin meglumine (500 mg/kg BW/day of copper sulphate by gavage and 2.2 mg/kg BW/day of flunixin meglumine, ip) and copper sulphate+propolis (500 mg/kg BW/day of copper sulphate and 100 mg/kg BW/day of propolis by gavage). The study demonstrated that body weight change in the copper sulphate+propolis group significantly ameliorated in comparison with copper group (P<0.01). Propolis and flunixin meglumine administration significantly decreased MDA levels in the kidney and liver tissues, and serum TNF-α levels (P<0.001). Propolis supplementation to rats who were also treated with copper significantly increased the superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione activities (P<0.001). Flunixin meglumine and propolis treatments decreased the copper-induced degenerative and necrotic changes with the apoptotic cells in the liver and kidney tissues. In conclusion, propolis appeared to ameliorate the adverse effects on feed intake, liver and kidney tissues seeing in the copper treatment and, apparently caused by the copper toxicity, by scavenging the free radicals and increasing activity of antioxidants.

Propolis supplementation attenuates the negative effects of oxidative stress induced by paraquat injection on productive performance and immune function in turkey poults

Paraquat (PQ) is used as a herbicide in agriculture and causes oxidative and inflammatory damage to animal tissues. The current study was conducted to investigate the positive effects of dietary propolis (PR), as a potent naturally produced antioxidant, on growth performance and immune function of turkey poults exposed to oxidative stress induced by PQ injection. Native male turkey poults (n = 120, 49-d-old) were randomly assigned into 4 groups: poults received a basal diet with a daily subcutaneous PQ injection of 5 mg/kg BW for 7 consecutive days (PQ group), an experimental diet containing 1 g/kg PR with a daily subcutaneous PQ injection for 7 days (PR+PQ group), or received the experimental PR diet with a daily subcutaneous injection of 0.5 mL sterile saline for 7 days (PR group); while the control poults received a basal diet with a daily subcutaneous saline injection for 7 consecutive days (C group). The productive performance in the PQ group showed a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the weight gain (WG) and feed intake (FI), and impaired feed conversion ratio (FCR). Propolis supplementation in the PR+PQ group significantly ameliorated the PQ effects on WG and FCR. Turkey poults of the PQ and PR+PQ groups had a significant augmentation in the blood malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and corticosterone levels, and in contrast, a significant reduction in the triiodothyronine (T3), when compared to the C group. While propolis significantly reduced the MDA and corticosterone, and increased the T3 levels in the PR+PQ group compared to the PQ group. Furthermore, the dietary PR supplementation significantly limited the PQ-suppressive effects on cell- and humoral-mediated immunity and lymphocyte proliferation of turkey poults. In addition, propolis supplementation in the PR and PR+PQ groups markedly reversed the PQ-induced DNA fragmentation and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) over-expression in blood cells. It can be concluded that PR could improve turkey immunity and performance, particularly under inflammation and oxidative stress induced by PQ exposure.

The importance of propolis in alleviating the negative physiological effects of heat stress in quail chicks.

Heat stress is one of the most detrimental confrontations in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, causing considerable economic losses in poultry production. Propolis, a resinous product of worker honeybees, possesses several biological activities that could be used to alleviate the deleterious effects of high environmental temperature on poultry production. The current study was aimed at evaluating the effects of propolis supplementation to Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) diets on the production performance, intestinal histomorphology, relative physiological and immunological parameters, and selected gene expression under heat stress conditions. Three hundred one-day-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly distributed into 20 wired-cages. At 28 d of age, the birds were divided into 2 temperature treatment groups; a normal at 24°C (C group) and a heat stress at 35°C (HS group). The birds in each group were further assigned to 2 subgroups; one of them was fed on a basal diet without propolis supplementation (-Pr subgroup) while the other was supplemented with propolis (+Pr subgroup). Production performance including body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were measured. The intestinal histomorphological measurements were also performed for all treatment groups. Relative physiological parameters including body temperature, corticosterone hormone level, malondialdehyde (MDA) and free triiodothyronine hormone (fT3), as well as the relative immunological parameters including the total white blood cells count (TWBC’s), heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio and lymphocyte proliferation index, were also measured. Furthermore, the mRNA expression for toll like receptor 5 (TLR5), cysteine-aspartic protease-6 (CASP6) and heat shock proteins 70 and 90 (Hsp70 and Hsp90) genes was quantified in this study. The quail production performance was significantly (P<0.05) impaired by HS treatment, while Pr treatment significantly improved the quail production performance. The villus width and area were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the HS compared to the C group, while Pr treatment significantly increased crypts depth of quail. A negative impact of HS treatment was observed on the physiological status of quail; however, propolis significantly alleviated this negative effect. Moreover, quail of the HS group expressed lower immunological parameters than C group, while propolis enhanced the immune status of the quail. The relative mRNA expression of TLR5 gene was down-regulated by HS treatment while it was up-regulated by the Pr treatment. Furthermore, the positive effects of propolis in HS-quail were evidenced by normalizing the high expressions of CASP6 and Hsp70 genes when compared to the C group. Based on these results, the addition of propolis to quail diets as a potential nutritional strategy in order to improve their performance, especially under heat stress conditions, is recommended.

Dietary Propolis Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis and Modulates the Gut Microbiota in Rats Fed a Western Diet.

Propolis is an important hive product and considered beneficial to health. However, evidence of its potential for improving gut health is still lacking. Here we use rats to examine whether dietary supplementation with propolis could be used as a therapy for ulcerative colitis. Rats were fed with a Western style diet alone (controls) or supplemented with different amounts of Chinese propolis (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%) to examine effects on acute colitis induced by 3% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) in drinking water. Propolis at 0.3%, but not lower levels, significantly improved colitis symptoms compared with the control group, with a less pronounced disease activity index (DAI) (p < 0.001), a significant increase in colon length/weight ratio (p < 0.05) and an improved distal colon tissue structure as assessed by histology. Although short chain fatty acid levels in digesta were not altered by propolis supplementation, 16S rRNA phylogenetic sequencing revealed a significant increase in gut microbial diversity after 21 days of 0.3% propolis supplementation compared with controls including a significant increase in bacteria belonging to the Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria phyla. This is the first study to demonstrate that propolis can attenuate DSS-induced colitis and provides new insight into diet-microbiota interactions during inflammatory bowel disease.

Ameliorative effect of propolis supplementation on alleviating bisphenol-A toxicity: Growth performance, biochemical variables, and oxidative stress biomarkers of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) fingerlings

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is one of the important pollutants in aquatic ecosystems and its detrimental effect on fish has a great concern. Propolis is a natural immune-stimulant that has various biological and pharmacological activities. Thus, its capability to alleviate the toxic effect of BPA on Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) performance was assessed in a study based on a 2×2 factorial design with two levels of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) and two waterborne BPA concentrations in triplicates. Fish (33.9±0.55g) were exposed to 0.0 or 1.64μgBPA/L for 6weeks during which fish were fed on diets containing 0.0 or 9.0gEEP/kg diet. Fish performance, biochemical variables, and oxidative stress enzymes were significantly affected by propolis supplementation, BPA exposure, and their interaction. Propolis supplementation significantly improved fish growth and feed intake, which were significantly retarded by BPA exposure. Additionally, total protein, albumin, globulin, and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) decreased significantly. Meanwhile aspartate transferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, and uric acid increased significantly with exposure to BPA. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities increased significantly due to BPA exposure, whereas significant reductions in the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were also recorded compared to the control fish. It is noticed that EEP co-administration ameliorated these parameters. The present results evoked that propolis administration improves fish growth and alleviated BPA-induced toxicity.

Alleviation of thermal and overcrowding stress in finishing broilers by dietary propolis supplementation

The current study investigated the efficacy of propolis supplementation (bee glue; BG) on ameliorating overcrowding and heat stress-induced impairment of growth performance, immunity, some stress indicators, and jejunum morphology in broilers. Three hundred eighty 21-d-old Ross 308 male broilers were randomly divided into 6 treatments. From d 22, the birds were either kept at thermoneutral zone (22 °C) or subjected to cyclic heat stress by exposing them daily to 32 °C for 10 h (from 0800 to 1800) and 22 °C from 1800 to 0800. The 2 levels of stocking density include the experimental groups with low stocking density (LSD; 10 chickens/m2) and those with a HSD (18 chickens/m2). A basal diet supplemented with BG (4 g/kg of diet) was fed to 2 groups, one with HSD and the other with LSD. The heat stress resulted in a significant decrease in broiler performance, coefficient of ileal digestibility (CIAD) of nitrogen (N), apparent metabolisable energy (AME), relative weight of lymphoid organs, morphometric indices, and increased mRNA levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in breast muscle. Overcrowding stress reduced performance parameters, heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratio but increased levels of IgA, IgM, nitric oxide (NO), corticosterone (CS), and HSP70. Growth performance, CIAD of N, AME, relative lymphoid organs weight, and jejunum villus height were increased by BG supplementation in the chickens stocked at HSD than those housed at LSD. In addition, BG supplementation reduced blood NO and CS concentrations, and mRNA levels of HSP70 but elevated H:L ratio in heat-stressed broiler compared those reared under thermoneutral zone. It was concluded that dietary use of BG as a feed supplement can reduce some of the detrimental effects of heat stress and HSD in broilers.

Effects of bee propolis supplementation on Lysozyme and lactoferrin responses following prolonged running in recreational Athletes

Effects of bee propolis supplementation on Lysozyme and lactoferrin responses following prolonged running in recreational Athletes

Effects of Propolis, Royal Jelly, Bee Pollen and Ronozyme Supplementation in Diets of Japanese Quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica ) on Yolk Lipid Peroxidation

Effects of Propolis, Royal Jelly, Bee Pollen and Ronozyme Supplementation in Diets of Japanese Quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica ) on Yolk Lipid Peroxidation

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF BEE PROPOLIS AGAINST ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS DRUGS (RIFAMPICIN AND ISONIAZID)-INDUCED HEMATOLOGICAL TOXICITY IN SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS

ABSTRACTObjective: Protective effect of bee propolis against anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs (rifampicin and isoniazid)-induced hematological toxicity in SpragueDawley (SD) rats.Methods: Experimental male SD rats weighing 180±20 g were randomly assigned into eight groups (n=6), the Group 1 served as control; Group 2received 200 mg bee propolis/kg body weight; Groups 3, 5, and 7 were treated with drugs 100 mg rifampicin/kg body weight, 50 mg isoniazid/kgbody weight, and 100 mg rifampicin+50 mg isoniazid/kg body weight, respectively. Groups 4, 6, and 8 were treatment groups receiving 200 mg beepropolis/kg body weight+100 mg rifampicin/kg body weight, 200 mg bee propolis/kg body weight+50 mg isoniazid/kg body weight, and 200 mg beepropolis/kg body weight+100 mg rifampicin+50 mg isoniazid/kg body weight, respectively. All the treatments were given for 30 days, and then, therats were sacrificed under light esthesia by cervical dislocation and blood was collected for physiological studies.Results: Bee propolis supplementation (200 mg/kg body weight) showed increased level of hemoglobin with respect to rifampicin (15.45%),isoniazid (11.34%), and rifampicin plus isoniazid (5.04%) administered groups after 30 days of treatment. Moreover, the decreased level of red bloodcell count and white blood cell count by anti-TB drugs rifampicin, isoniazid, and rifampicin plus isoniazid together was also elevated in treatmentgroup with bee propolis.Conclusion: Coadministration of propolis (200 mg bee propolis/kg body weight) with drugs helped modulate the toxic effects by restoring testedvalues to near normal.Keywords: Propolis, Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Hemoglobin, Red blood cell count, White blood cell count.

Effects of bee propolis supplementation on glycemic control, lipid profile and insulin resistance indices in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial

BackgroundPropolis, a natural resinous substance made by bees from material extracted from plants, flowers and bee's wax, has shown great therapeutic effects and been widely used in food and drug industries. Recently, some researchers have studied the effect of this substance in the treatment of diabetes. ObjectiveThe purpose of this trial was to determine the effect of bee propolis on glycemic control, serum lipid profile and insulin resistance indices in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Design, setting, participants and interventionsThis randomized clinical trial involved 66 patients with T2D, which were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (IG) and placebo (PG). IG received 300 mg three times a day for a total of 900 mg/d of propolis pills, while PG received similar pills, lacking propolis, on the same schedule for 12 weeks. Main outcome measuresFasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), serum insulin and insulin resistance indices were the main outcome measures. ResultsThe mean change in FBG between the IG ((17.76 ± 27.72) mg/dL decrease) and the PG ((6.48 ± 42.77) mg/dL increase) was significantly different (P = 0.01). Change in mean HbA1c had a similar pattern to FBG. The mean change in TC between the IG ((5.16 ± 43.80) mg/dL increase) and the PG ((28.9 ± 27.4) mg/dL increase) was also significantly different (P = 0.01), showing the protective role of propolis against the increase in TC. The change in mean LDL was similar to mean TC. There was no significant difference in other lipids or insulin resistance indices between the two groups. ConclusionBased on this study, the daily intake of 900 mg of bee propolis supplement for 12 weeks results in improvement of glycemic and some serum lipid levels in patients with T2D. Trial registrationThis study is registered on the website of Iranian Ministry of Health (www.irct.ir) with proprietary code of IRCT2014080218659N1.

Brazilian Green Propolis Promotes Weight Loss and Reduces Fat Accumulation in C57BL/6 Mice Fed A High-Fat Diet.

Propolis is a bee product with various biological properties. C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet and treated with propolis for 14 weeks. Body weight in mice treated with 2% propolis was less than that in control mice from 3 weeks after the start of treatment until 14 weeks except for the 7th week. Mice treated with propolis showed significantly lower epididymal fat weight and subcutaneous fat weight. Infiltration of epididymal fat by macrophages and T cells was reduced in the propolis group. Supplementation of propolis increased feces weight and fat content in feces, suggesting that mechanisms of weight reduction by propolis partly include a laxative effect and inhibition of fat absorption.

HISTOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF PROPOLIS ON GINGIVAL TISSUE OF ALBINO RAT

Aim The aim of the present work was to study the proliferative and maturative influence of propolis on the gingival tissues in rats using routine HE Is it beneficial if the dentist use propolis as a constituent of surgical dressing as well as mouth wash?Materials and methods Thirty adult male albino rats with 120-150 gram body weight were used in this investigation. The animals were divided into 2 groups 15 animals each; Group I animals served as controls, and supplied with a daily oral dose of 1ml distilled water. Group II animals were treated with propolis in a daily oral dose of 50 mg/kg body weight using curved metallic oro-pharyngeal tube. Propolis tablets were dissolved in distilled water to a concentration of 5mg/1ml. The animals were fed natural diet and given drinking water adlibitum throughout the whole experimental period, which lasted for 3 months. At the end of the experiment, the animals of both groups were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. gingival Specimens of both sides were taken from the region of the first molars, The specimens were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, processed to be embedded in paraffin. Six microns thick sections were cut and stained Hematoxylin and eosin stain for histological detection any structural changes in the epithelium, lamina propria. Immunohistochemical staining procedure using a- The universal dakocytomationlabeled streptavidin- biotin system horseradish peroxidase enzyme for detection of any possible changes in (PCNA) of the surface epithelium. b- The ultravesion mouse tissue detection system using antimouse monoclonal antibody for demonstration of E- cadherin to detect any possible changes.Results The present work revealed that supplementation of propolis to the rats may activate the proliferation, regeneration and maturation of the epithelial cells the gingival tissue and improve vascularity and organization of collagen fibers of gingival subepithelial lamina propria Conclusion Propolis solution enhances the integrity and barrier function of the gingival epithelial cells and collagen fiber, thus it increases the viability and physiological health of gingival cells.Recommendation Propolis is recommended to be used as a beneficial constituent of mouth wash and surgical dressing after fulfilling all the required investigations on human.

Propolis Improves Periodontal Status and Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Periodontitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Propolis is a natural resin made by bees from various plant sources and exerts antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties. The purpose of this study is to assess adjunctive benefit of propolis supplementation in individuals with chronic periodontitis (CP) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMt2) receiving scaling and root planing (SRP). A 6-month masked, randomized clinical trial comparing SRP with placebo (placebo + SRP group, n = 26) or SRP combined with a 6-month regimen of 400 mg oral propolis once daily (propolis + SRP group, n = 24) was performed in patients with long-standing DMt2 and CP. Treatment outcomes included changes in hemoglobin (Hb) A1c (primary outcome), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum N€-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML), and periodontal parameters (secondary outcomes). After 3 and 6 months, average HbA1c levels in the propolis group decreased significantly by 0.82% and 0.96% units, respectively (P <0.01); however, there were no significant differences in the placebo group. Likewise, FPG and CML levels were significantly reduced in the propolis group, but not in the placebo group. After therapy, periodontal parameters of CP were significantly improved in both groups. The propolis group showed significantly greater probing depth reduction and clinical attachment level gain than the control group after 3 and 6 months. A 6-month regimen of 400 mg propolis once daily is a potentially viable adjunct to SRP that significantly reduces levels of HbA1c, FPG, and CML, and improves periodontal therapy outcome in people with DMt2 and CP.

Caecal microbiota of chickens fed diets containing propolis.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) and raw propolis (RP) on broiler performance and on selected bacterial groups in caecal microbiota using fluorescent insitu hybridization (FISH) measured by fluorescent activated cell sorting. Two experiments were conducted with 120 male chicks from 1 to 21days of age for each, raised in cages and distributed in a completely randomized experimental design; there were five replicates with four birds per experimental unit and six treatments for each experiment (trial 1 - EEP - 0, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000ppm and trial 2 - RP - 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500ppm). Fluorescent probes were used against the bacterial groups in caecal samples collected at 21days of age. The data were subjected to one-way anova followed by Tukey's and regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between dietary levels of EEP or RP on performance and intestinal microbiota (p<0.05). In the trial 1, results showed that the EEP did not cause any significant (p>0.05) modification in the performance and caecal microbiota. In the trial 2, RP inclusion did not affect the performance but changed the bacterial composition (p<0.05). Clostridiaceae, Gammaproteobacteria excluding Enterobacteriaceae and Lactobacillus spp. showed a quadratic response (p<0.05), with the lowest value predicted to occur at 240ppm, 221ppm and 213ppm of RP respectively. The proportion of Bacteroidaceae and Gammaproteobacteria did not differ (p>0.05) among the experimental groups. The inclusion of ethanolic extract of propolis did not affect the performance and intestinal microbiota, whereas the supplementation of raw propolis modulates the caecal microbiota composition without any effects on chicken performance.

Amino acid profile of broiler chickens meat fed diets supplemented with bee pollen and propolis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets supplemented with bee pollen and propolis on the amino acid (AA) profile of chicken meat. A total of 360 one day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three treatments: a basal diet without supplementation as control (C); a basal diet supplemented with bee pollen extract (400 mg kg−1 of feed mixture: E1); and a basal diet supplemented with propolis extract (400 mg kg−1 of feed mixture: E2). Chickens were slaughtered at 42 d of age. After slaughter, the AA profile of breast and thigh samples was determined. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance. The AA profile was not affected by dietary bee pollen supplementation (E1) in breast and thigh muscles (disregarding sex), except for higher concentration of Tyr (p ≤ 0.05) in breast and lower concentration of Pro (p > 0.05) in breast and thigh muscles compared with those in C. However, the AA profile was improved in response to propolis supplementation (E2). In breast muscle (disregarding sex), the highest concentrations of Glu (11.81 g 100 g−1), Gly (3.5 g 100 g−1), and Tyr (4.12 g 100 g−1) were found in the propolis-supplemented group (E2), Glu and Tyr were higher (p ≤ 0.05) in E2 compared with those in C, while Gly was higher (p ≤ 0.05) in E2 compared to E1. Additionally, many other AAs (Asp, Ser, Ala, Tyr, Arg, Thr, Ile, Leu, Phe, and Lys) were observed as the highest (p > 0.05) in breast muscle of broilers fed a diet with propolis extract (E2). In thigh muscle (disregarding sex), higher concentrations (p ≤ 0.05) of Tyr (2.46 g 100 g−1) and His (2.35 g 100 g−1) were found in the propolis-supplemented group (E2) compared with those in C. Many other AAs (Glu, Gly, His, Arg, Thr, Val, Ile, Leu, and Lys) in thigh muscle from propolis-supplemented group (E2) were also higher (p > 0.05) than those in the other groups. After bee pollen (E1) and propolis (E2) supplementation, no differences in amino acid concentrations between males and females, or in breast or thigh muscle were found. In general, breast was demonstrated to contain higher proportions of AAs than thigh muscle. In conclusion, dietary propolis supplementation in amount of 400 mg kg−1 of feed mixture elicited the best AA profile of chicken meat among the dietary treatments and may thus be a promising method to improve meat quality.

Role of a proprietary propolis-based product on the wait-and-see approach in acute otitis media and in preventing evolution to tracheitis, bronchitis, or rhinosinusitis from nonstreptococcal pharyngitis

Antipyretics and/or anti-inflammatory drugs along with a wait-and-see approach are the only treatments recommended in early acute otitis media (AOM) or viral pharyngitis. Propolis has been widely investigated for its antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties and could perhaps be administered as an add-on therapy during watchful waiting in AOM or for better control of symptoms in nonstreptococcal pharyngitis. However, propolis has well-known problems of poor solubility and low oral bioavailability. We therefore analyzed a proprietary propolis-based product (Propolisina®) developed to overcome these limitations, in a retrospective, open-label, controlled study of Streptococcus pyogenes-negative children with a diagnosis of AOM or pharyngitis. Our results show that the use of propolis supplement for 72 hours lessens the severity of AOM and viral pharyngitis, reduces the use of antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs, and decreases the rate of evolution to tracheitis, bronchitis, and rhinosinusitis. Our study shows that propolis could be used as a safe add-on therapy in case of AOM and/or viral pharyngitis.

The effects of propolis on serum malondialdehyde, fatty acids and some blood parameters in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) under high stocking density

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary propolis supplementation of the basal diet on the fatty acids, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and some blood parameters of Japanese quail feeding under high stocking density (HS). For that, 256 Japanese quail were divided into four treatment groups. Group I- HS fed on a basal diet, II- (HS-0.5) was fed on a basal diet supplemented with 0.5 g propolis/kg, III- (HS-1) was fed on a basal diet supplemented with 1 g propolis/kg, IV- (HS-1.5) was fed on a basal diet supplemented with 1.5 g/propolis/kg. MDA levels in serum (P < .01) were found to be significantly higher in the unsupplemented HS group. Globulin, total protein, lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (P < .001) and alanine aminotransferase (P < .01) levels of unsupplemented HS group were found to be significantly higher. Propolis supplementation significantly affected the lipid composition of internal organs (kidney and liver) of HS-0.5, HS-1 and HS-1.5 groups by decreasing saturated fatty acid contents and by increasing polyunsaturated fatty acid contents. Consequently, propolis supplementation improved the quality of lipid composition of the internal organs of quail. It might be considered to prevent the negative effects of stocking density.

Assessment of the radioprotective effect of propolis in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. New perspective for an old honey bee product

BackgroundIonizing radiation is widely used for treatment of cancer. However, one of the limitations of using radiation is its toxic effects on normal tissue. Radiation damage to normal tissue can be partially reduced by the use of radio-protectors that scavenge free radicals produced during radiation. Recently, interest has increased in the development of potential drug of plant origin for the modification of radiation effects and has an advantage over the synthetic compounds in term of low or no toxicity and with minimum side effects. Propolis is apicultural product which is composed of nutritionally valuable substances and contains considerable amounts of polyphenol substances. Flavonoids and phenolic acids are the major classes of polyphenolic compounds. Because of its broad spectrum biological properties, the interest in propolis as harmless medicine has been increased. Aim of the workThe present study has been undertaken to evaluate the radio-protective effect of propolis supplementation in breast cancer (BC) patients undergoing radiotherapy. Subjects and methodsThis study included 135 subjects divided into three main groups: Group I: 45 healthy females served as control group of matched age and menopausal status with the next malignant groups. Group II: 45 chemotherapy received breast cancer patients followed by radiation therapy only. Group III: 45 chemotherapy received breast cancer patients followed by radiation therapy plus propolis supplements. Two venous blood samples were collected from both breast cancer patients groups (Before and after radiotherapy) and one blood sample from matched controls. DNA damage in mononuclear cells was assessed by alkaline Comet assay. Serum was separated to measure ribonucleotide reductase M2 subunit (RRM2) by enzyme linked immunossorbent assay (ELISA). Malonaldhyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and iron were assayed by colorimetric method. One ml blood sample was collected into EDTA tubes for complete blood picture analysis. ResultsThe present study showed that radiotherapy is accompanied by significant increase in Comet tail parameters (Tail length, % Tail DNA, Tail moment) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of BC patients. While in the group of patients supplemented with propolis plus radiotherapy, propolis have the ability to reduce significantly the radiation induced DNA damage. Concerning RRM2 subunit, it was found that, although radiotherapy significantly down regulate RRM2 protein but still significantly higher than normal control value. On the other hand, the supplementation of propolis during radiotherapy caused a significant down regulation of RRM2 level and became within the normal control level. Furthermore, radiotherapy is accompanied by significant increase in serum MDA and significant decrease in serum TAC while after propolis supplementation plus radiotherapy, serum MDA and serum TAC significantly improved. Regarding serum iron and hematological parameters including hemoglobin (HB) concentration, white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets counts were significantly decreased after radiotherapy treatment alone while after radiotherapy plus propolis, these parameters significantly increased and became within the normal control level. ConclusionsSupplementation of propolis with radiotherapy treatment offers a quite measurable protection against DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation in BC patients leukocytes and inhibits RRM2 overexpression. Moreover, propolis has beneficial effects on the serum antioxidant capacity and improves the digestive utilization of iron and the regeneration efficiency of hemoglobin. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm our findings.

Effects of propolis and gamma-cyclodextrin on intestinal neoplasia in normal weight and obese mice.

Obesity is associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). This effect might be attributed to adipokine‐supported signaling. We have established that propolis suppresses survival signaling in CRC cells in vitro; therefore, we ascertained the ability of a propolis supplement to modulate intestinal neoplastic development in C57BL/6J‐ApcMin/+/J mice in the lean and obese state. To induce obesity, mice were fed with a Western diet containing 40% fat. Since the propolis supplement includes gamma‐cyclodextrin, the interventions included diets supplemented with or without gamma‐cyclodextrin. The animals were administered the following diets: (1) control diet, (2) control diet/gamma‐cyclodextrin, (3) control diet/propolis, (4) Western diet, (5) Western diet/gamma‐cyclodextrin, and (6) Western diet/propolis. Western diet, resulting in obesity, accelerated neoplastic progression, as evidenced by the larger size and higher grade dysplasia of the neoplasms. In the context of normal weight, gamma‐cyclodextrin and propolis affected neoplastic progression, as determined by the size of the lesions and their grade of dysplasia. A statistically significant decrease in the number of adenomas was detected in mice fed a control diet with the propolis supplement (61.8 ± 10.6 vs. 35.3 ± 7.6, P = 0.008). Although there was no significant difference in the polyp numbers between the six groups, the mice with the lowest number and size of adenomas were those fed a Western diet with gamma‐cyclodextrin. This unexpected outcome might be explained by the increased levels of apoptosis detected in the intestinal tissues of these obese mice. We posit that butyrate derived from the metabolism of gamma‐cyclodextrin may contribute to the decreased neoplastic burden in the context of obesity; however, future studies are required to address this possibility.