Propolis, a resinous substance, is collected from plants and processed by honeybees to seal holes and cracks in beehives, protecting them from microbial infection. Based on the plant source and ...geographical location, propolis is categorized into seven groups. Of these, Pacific propolis, found in the Pacific islands, originates from Macaranga spp. and is, therefore, known as Macaranga‐type Pacific propolis. Okinawa propolis and Taiwanese propolis, which are both Macaranga‐type propolis, are rich in prenylated flavonoids from the same botanical source, Macaranga tanarius, and are used locally as traditional remedies. They are reported to have a wide range of pharmacological benefits, including antioxidant, anti‐inflammation, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti‐Alzheimer's, anti‐melanogenic, and longevity‐extending effects. However, not much is known about their mode of action, and recently, the extract of Okinawa propolis and its major prenylated flavonoids were found to selectively inhibit the oncogenic kinase, p21‐activated kinase 1 (PAK1). PAK1 enables cross‐talking among several signaling pathways, causing many diseases/disorders. The existing results reviewed here support the use of Macaranga‐type Pacific propolis for the effective development of safe herbal drugs and functional foods. Furthermore, its mode of action by modulating PAK1 can be explored, and the geographical and seasonal effects on its chemistry and biology, and its pharmacokinetics and toxicology should be studied as well.
Propolis is one of the complex, but valuable, bio-sources for discovering therapeutic compounds. Diterpenes are organic compounds composed of four isoprene units and are known for their biological ...and pharmacological characteristics, such as antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. Recently, advancements have been made in the development of antibacterial and anticancer leads from propolis-isolated diterpenes, and scrutiny of these compounds is being pursued. Thus, this review covers the progress in this arena, with a focus on the chemistry and biological activities of propolis diterpenes. It is anticipated that important information, in a comprehensive and concise manner, will be delivered here for better understanding of natural product drug discovery research.
Chemical composition of propolis depends on the plant source and thus on the geographic and climatic characteristics of the site of collection. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical ...profile of Greek and Chinese propolis extracts from different regions and suggest similarities and differences between them. Untargeted ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) method was developed and 22 and 23 propolis samples from Greece and China, respectively, were analyzed. The experimental data led to the observation that there is considerable variability in terms of quality of the distinctive propolis samples. Partial least squares - discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models were constructed and allowed the identification of significant features for sample discrimination, adding relevant information for the identification of class-determining metabolites. Chinese samples overexpressed compounds that are characteristic of the poplar type propolis, whereas Greek samples overexpress the latter and the diterpenes characteristic of the Mediterranean propolis type.
Propolis is a natural resinous material produced by bees and has been used in folk medicines since ancient times. Due to it possessing a broad spectrum of biological activities, it has gained ...significant scientific and commercial interest over the last two decades. As a result of searching 122 publications reported up to the end of 2019, we assembled a unique compound database consisting of 578 components isolated from both honey bee propolis and stingless bee propolis, and analyzed the chemical space and chemical diversity of these compounds. The results demonstrated that both honey bee propolis and stingless bee propolis are valuable sources for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical development.
Propolis is a natural product with many demonstrated biological activities and propolis extract has been used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Different works have showed the ...variations in the chemical composition, and consequently, on the biological activity of the propolis that are associated with its type and geographic origin. Due to this study evaluated propolis extracts obtained through supercritical extraction and ethanolic extraction (conventional) in three samples of different types of propolis (red, green and brown), collected from different regions in Brazil (state of Bahia). Analyses were performed to determine the humidity, water activity, the content of total ash, proteins, lipids and fiber in raw propolis samples. The content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH), catechin, ferulic acid and luteolin and antimicrobial activity against two bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) were determined for all extracts. For the green and red ethanolic extracts the anti-leishmanicidal potential was also evaluated. The physicochemical profiles showed agreement in relation to the literature. The results identified significant differences among the extracts (p>0.05), which are in conformity with their extraction method, as well as with type and botanical origin of the samples. The extraction with supercritical fluid was not efficient to obtain extracts with the highest contents of antioxidants compounds, when compared with the ethanolic extracts. The best results were shown for the extracts obtained through the conventional extraction method (ethanolic) indicating a higher selectivity for the extraction of antioxidants compounds. The red variety showed the largest biological potential, which included the content of antioxidants compounds. The results found in this study confirm the influence of the type of the raw material on the composition and characteristics of the extracts. The parameters analysis were important to characterize and evaluate the quality of the different Brazilian propolis extracts based on the increased use of propolis by the natural products industry.
•Corn starch/hyalorinc acid/ethanolic extract propolis wound dressing was prepared and characterized.•The wound dressing had good cell biocompatibility for the fibroblasts.•The wound dressing could ...significantly accelerate wound healing.
The unique physicochemical and functional characteristics of starch-based biomaterials and wound dressings have been proposed for several biomedical applications. Film dressings of cornstarch/hyaluronic acid/ ethanolic extract of propolis (CS/HA/EEP) were prepared by solvent-casting and characterized by attenuated total reflectance/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, light transmission, opacity measurements, EEP release, equilibrium swelling, and in vitro and in vivo evaluations. The CS/HA/0.5%EEP film dressing exhibited higher antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (2.08 ± 0.14 mm), Escherichia coli (2.64 ± 0.18 mm), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (1.02 ± 0.15 mm) in comparison with the CS, CS/HA, and CS/HA/0.25%EEP films. Also, it showed no cytotoxicity for the L929 fibroblast cells. This wound dressing could effectively accelerate the wound healing process at Wistar rats' skin excisions. These results indicate that enrichment of cornstarch wound dressings with HA and EEP can significantly enhance their potential efficacy as wound dressing material.
Anti-Inflammatory drugs have been routinely used in the management of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. Nevertheless, their undesirable side and adverse effects have encouraged the ...development of more selective, tolerable and efficacious drugs able to modulate the inflammatory process through distinct mechanisms than those of drugs currently available in the market, for instance, inhibition of leukocyte recruitment (chemotaxis, rolling, adhesion and transmigration). Natural products, including Brazilian propolis, have been considered a rich source of anti-inflammatory molecules due to a very complex phytochemical diversity. Brazil has at least thirteen distinct types of propolis and many bioactive compounds have been isolated therefrom, such as apigenin, artepillin C, vestitol, neovestitol, among others. These molecules were proven to play a significant immunomodulatory role through (i) inhibition of inflammatory cytokines (e.g. TNF-α) and chemokines (CXCL1/KC and CXCL2/MIP2); (ii) inhibition of IκBα, ERK1/2, JNK and p38MAPK phosphorylation; (iii) inhibition of NF-κB activation; and (iv) inhibition of neutrophil adhesion and transmigration (ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin expression). In this review, we shed light on the new advances in the research of compounds isolated from Brazilian propolis from Apis mellifera bees as potentially novel anti-inflammatory drugs. The compilation of data and insights presented herein may open further avenues for the pharmacological management of oral and systemic inflammatory conditions. Further research should focus on clinical and acute/chronic toxicological validation of the most promising compounds described in this review.
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•There is a close relationship between inflammatory diseases and leukocyte recruitment.•New anti-inflammatory drugs target a more selective action on neutrophil migration.•Brazilian propolis is a rich source of anti-inflammatory molecules.•Compounds isolated from Brazilian propolis inhibit neutrophil migration.
Propolis extracts are widely used in traditional folk medicine and exhibit several properties such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. However, these products have not been ...investigated in combination with medicines used in clinical practice.
This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of propolis extracts from Apis mellifera scutellata and different Meliponini species and characterize their cytotoxicity against tumor cells, antibacterial effects, and interference with the actions of doxorubicin and gentamicin.
Chromatographic and spectrometric analyses were performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Propolis extracts were evaluated for cytotoxicity and synergism using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the antimicrobial activity was examined using the broth microdilution technique and synergism was investigated using checkerboard and time-kill assays.
The chemical characterization revealed the presence of 63 compounds, and the extracts showed selective cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines. Propolis extracts of mandaçaia and mirim exerted selective synergistic cytotoxicity in combination with doxorubicin. Except for the tubuna extract, all evaluated extracts exhibited antibacterial effects on gram-positive strains. Mandaçaia and mirim extracts exerted a synergistic effect with gentamicin; however, only mandaçaia extract exerted a selective effect.
Propolis could be a source of antineoplastics and antibiotics. These natural products may reduce the occurrence of doxorubicin and gentamicin related adverse effects, resistance, or both.
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•63 compounds were identified in propolis extracts.•Propolis extracts exert selective synergistic cytotoxicity with doxorubicin.•Propolis extracts have antibacterial action.•Propolis extract exerts selective synergistic effect with gentamicin.
Propolis, a resinous material produced by honey bees from plant exudates, has long been used in traditional herbal medicine and is widely consumed as a health aid and immune system booster. The ...COVID-19 pandemic has renewed interest in propolis products worldwide; fortunately, various aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanism are potential targets for propolis compounds. SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells is characterized by viral spike protein interaction with cellular angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and serine protease TMPRSS2. This mechanism involves PAK1 overexpression, which is a kinase that mediates coronavirus-induced lung inflammation, fibrosis, and immune system suppression. Propolis components have inhibitory effects on the ACE2, TMPRSS2 and PAK1 signaling pathways; in addition, antiviral activity has been proven in vitro and in vivo. In pre-clinical studies, propolis promoted immunoregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including reduction in IL-6, IL-1 beta and TNF-α. This immunoregulation involves monocytes and macrophages, as well as Jak2/STAT3, NF-kB, and inflammasome pathways, reducing the risk of cytokine storm syndrome, a major mortality factor in advanced COVID-19 disease. Propolis has also shown promise as an aid in the treatment of various of the comorbidities that are particularly dangerous in COVID-19 patients, including respiratory diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Standardized propolis products with consistent bioactive properties are now available. Given the current emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and limited therapeutic options, propolis is presented as a promising and relevant therapeutic option that is safe, easy to administrate orally and is readily available as a natural supplement and functional food.
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