Nitric oxide and brazilian propolis combined accelerates tissue repair by modulating cell migration, cytokine production and collagen deposition in experimental leishmaniasis

The fact that drugs currently used in the treatment of Leishmania are highly toxic and associated with acquired resistance has promoted the search for new therapies for treating American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL). In this study, BALB/c mice were injected in the hind paw with Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and subsequently treated with a combination of nitric oxide (NO) donor (cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)imN(NO)](PF6)(3)) (Ru-NO), given by intraperitoneal injection, and oral Brazilian propolis for 30 days. Ru-NO reached the center of the lesion and increased the NO level in the injured hind paw without lesion exacerbation. Histological and immunological parameters of chronic inflammation showed that this combined treatment increased the efficacy of macrophages, determined by the decrease in the number of parasitized cells, leading to reduced expression of proinflammatory and tissue damage markers. In addition, these drugs in combination fostered wound healing, enhanced the number of fibroblasts, pro-healing cytokines and induced collagen synthesis at the lesion site. Overall, our findings suggest that the combination of the NO donor Ru-NO and Brazilian propolis alleviates experimental ATL lesions, highlighting a new therapeutic option that can be considered for further in vivo investigations as a candidate for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The modulatory effects of caffeic acid on human monocytes and its involvement in propolis action

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of propolis on postharvest control of anthracnose and quality parameters of 'Kent'mango

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Brazilian green propolis induced apoptosis in human lung cancer A549 cells through mitochondrial-mediated pathway

Propolis effect on the growth and apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma (A549 cells) was investigated as well as its mechanisms. Cells were incubated with propolis for 72 h, and 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and lactate dehydrogenase assays were employed to assess cell viability and the inhibitory concentration (IC). Apoptosis was detected by Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining after 24 and 48 h of incubation with ¼ IC50 of propolis by testing the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and the expression of apoptosis-related genes (p53, Caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL , Noxa, Puma and p21) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Propolis displayed antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on A549 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but it did not suppress the growth of normal Vero cells. An enhanced apoptosis was seen in A549 propolis-treated cells after 48 h compared with the control cells. Propolis decreased mitochondrial membrane potential by overexpression of pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and Noxa) and reduction of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-XL . The expression level of other genes remained unchanged (p53, Caspse-3 and Bax), whereas p21 expression was increased. Propolis induced caspase-independent apoptosis through a p53-independent mitochondrial pathway, and cell cycle arrest by upregulation of p21. Although propolis induces apoptosis mainly by p53-independent manner, it may be induced by another pathway, and new insights may arise for preventing or treating lung cancer.

Modulatory effects of propolis samples from Latin America (Brazil, Cuba and Mexico) on cytokine production by human monocytes

Propolis has been used in folk medicine in different regions of the world including Latin America. Propolis is a resinous mixture of substances collected by honey bees from several botanical sources, and its composition contains a rich chemical variety, depending on the geographical area and plant sources. Our aim was to compare the modulatory effect of propolis samples from three different countries of Latin America (Brazil, Cuba and Mexico) on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-10, respectively) by human monocytes. Cells were incubated with propolis for 18 h at 37°C. Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method, and cytokine production was determined by ELISA. All samples did not affect monocyte viability. Brazilian propolis stimulated both TNF-α and IL-10 production by monocytes. Cuban propolis stimulated TNF-α and inhibited IL-10 production, while Mexican sample exerted the opposite effect, inhibiting TNF-α and stimulating IL-10 production. The major compounds found in Brazilian, Cuban and Mexican propolis samples were artepillin C, isoflavonoids and pinocembrin, respectively. Brazilian, Cuban and Mexican propolis contained different components that may exert pro- and anti-inflammatory activity depending on concentration, what may provide a novel approach to the development of immunomodulatory drugs containing propolis.

Seasonal vatiations of the chemical composition of Brazilian propolis

The seasonal variations in the chemical composition of Brazilian propolis, collected by two bee subspecies, Africanized Apis mellifera and European Apis mellifera ligustica, have been investigated by GC and GC-MS. The main components of the samples were phenolic compounds, especially cinnamic acid derivatives, the only exception being the autumn sample from Apis mellifera ligustica, where diterpenes predominated. In propolis from both subspecies, diterpenes appeared in summer and reached maximum percentage in autumn, but were absent during the other seasons. The results obtained indicated that both bee subspecies collect propolis from among the same group of plants, and that there are at least two important plant sources, but these remain unidentified.

Yeast CA-11 fermentation in musts treated with brown and green propolis

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influence of seasonality and production method on the antibacterial activity of propolis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

UTILIZAÇÃO da PRÓPOLIS E ÁLCOOL ETÍLICO NO CONTROLE DE Salmonella em RAÇÕES AVÍCOLAS

Em quatro experimentos foram avaliados como agentes antibacterianos os produtos própolis em solução alcoólica e álcool etílico, adicionados às rações artificialmente contaminadas com os respectivos sorotipos: Salmonella typhimurium Nalr - Specr, (resistentes ao ácido Nalidíxico e a Spectinomicina) nos três primeiros experimentos e Salmonella agona Nalr - Specr, Salmonella infantis Nalr - Specr e Salmonella enteritidis Nalr - Specr no quarto experimento. As rações foram fornecidas a grupos de 10-16 pintos de corte de um dia. em todos os experimentos os produtos testados foram adicionados na base de 2% da ração. Quando se utilizou solução hidroalcóolica de própolis (exp. 1), seguidas 120 horas após o desafio, detectou-se a presença da bactéria nos cecos. No segundo experimento, testou-se a solução de própolis e seu diluente, o álcool etílico; seguidas 96 horas após o desafio, não foi observada a presença da bactéria nos cecos (< 2,0 log10). Avaliou-se, no terceiro experimento, a ação da solução de própolis e do álcool etílico no tempo, adicionados na ração 14 dias e 28 dias antes do fornecimento às aves. Após 72 horas do desafio, a leitura nas placas acusou a presença da bactéria nos cecos. Dentro deste último período, também se avaliou a ação da própolis em pó (extrato seco) e esse mesmo extrato em uma solução aquosa, adicionados à ração 48 horas antes do fornecimento às aves sendo que os resultados confirmaram a presença da bactéria nos cecos. No quarto experimento avaliou-se somente o álcool etílico nas rações artificialmente contaminadas com os sorotipos S. agona, S. enteritidis e S. infantis, registrando-se contagem zero (<2,0 log10) apenas com o último sorotipo. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que o tratamento com a solução de própolis apresentou ação sobre a S. typhimurium somente quando em solução alcóolica, dentro de um período de 48 horas, indicando que o efeito bactericida se deveu ao álcool etílico presente na solução. A ação do tratamento com o álcool etílico sobre os demais sorotipos demonstrou resultado parcial sendo observado efeito bactericida nos sorotipos S. typhimurium e S. enteritidis artificialmente inoculados na ração.

Assessment of estrogenic, mutagenic and antimutagenic activity of nemorosone

Currently, a wide range of research involving natural products is focused on the discovery of new drugs in many different therapeutic areas. A great number of the synthetic compounds on the market were derived from natural products, especially plants. Nemorosone is the major constituent of the floral resin of Clusia rosea Jacq., Clusiaceae, and in Cuban propolis. In vitro studies have shown cytotoxic activity in this substance against various tumor cell lines, including those resistant to various cytotoxic drugs, whereas it has low cytotoxicity to non-tumoral cells. Therefore, in order to characterize the biological activity of nemorosone, a substance with potential antitumor activity, and in view of preclinical testing of the toxicity of drug candidate compounds, the main aim of this study was to determine the mutagenic and antimutagenic activity of nemorosone by the Ames test, using the strains TA97a, TA98, TA100 and TA102 of Salmonella typhimurium. Secondly, to characterize the estrogenic activity in an experimental recombinant yeast model (Recombinant Yeast Assay) mutagenic activity was observed at in any of the concentrations in any of the test strains. To evaluate the antimutagenic potential, direct and indirect mutagenic agents were used: 4 nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD), mitomycin C (MMC) and aflatoxin B1 (AFL). Nemorosone showed moderate antimutagenic activity (inhibition level 31%), in strain TA100 in the presence of AFL, and strong antimutagenic activity in TA102 against MMC (inhibition level 53%). Estrogenic activity was observed, with an EEq of 0.41±0.16 nM at various tested concentrations.

Atividade antiinflamatória, antiúlcera gástrica e toxicidade subcrônica do extrato etanólico de própolis

Avaliou-se a atividade antiinflamatória do extrato etanólico de própolis - EEP, . sobre o edema desencadeado por carragenina, dextrana e histamina. O EEP apresentou dose eficaz (DE50) de 650 mg/kg (v.o), inibindo significativamente o processo inflamatório desencadeado pela carragenina, mas não inibiu o produzido por dextrana. O EEP antagonizou ainda o efeito edematogênico produzido por histamina. Nas úlceras produzidas por estresse, o EPP inibiu de forma significativa a geração dos diversos tipos classificados. em todos os parâmetros analisados no estudo da toxicidade em fase de tratamento subcrônico , (hematológicos, bioquímicos e histopatológicos), o grupo tratado com o EEP não apresentou diferença significativa em relação ao grupo controle. Desta forma, sugere-se que na dose de 650 mg/kg (dose eficaz) não existe a presença de efeitos tóxicos que possam comprometer a utilização deste extrato.

Antiulcerogenic Activity of the Essential Oil of Baccharis dracunculifolia on Different Experimental Models in Rats

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Lack of clastogenic/genotoxic effects of Baccharis dracunculifolia extract on Swiss mouse peripheral blood cells

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Dietary components may prevent mutation-related diseases in humans

Since it is not always possible to reduce human exposure to mutagens, attempts have been directed to identify potential antimutagens and anticarcinogens for use in protecting the population against environmental disease. The purpose of this paper is to provide the reader with information about the antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic potentials of some dietary constituents and foods widely consumed in Brazil, and to reinforce diet as a key factor in determining genomic stability and preventing human diseases. In this report, we have summarized data that show interactive effects between some dietary components and specific chemical mutagens or carcinogens using in vitro and in vivo short- or medium-term assays. The summary indicates that certain dietary compounds may be useful agents for disease prevention. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Própolis e cera vegetal na conservação de abacate Hass

The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality of Hass avocado submitted to application of propolis and vegetable wax. The selected fruits were submitted to the treatments (1) without wax and without propolis, (2) with vegetable wax, (3) propolis alcoholic extract 100%, (4) wax and etanol 70%, (5) propolis alcoholic extract 2% and wax, (6) propolis alcoholic extract 4% and wax, (7) propolis alcoholic extract 6% and wax, (8) propolis alcoholic extract 8% and wax, and (9) propolis alcoholic extract 10% and wax. The fruits were maintained under refrigeration (10 +/- 1 degrees C and 90 +/- 5% relative humidity), being appraised every three days for 15 days and more 3 days of commercialization simulation at room temperature (23 +/- 1 degrees C and 18% relative humidity). The evaluation parameters were the weight loss, respiratory activity, pH, firmness, tritable acidity (AT), soluble solids (SS), and ratio. The results of weigth loss, respiratory activity and firmness were the most significant to show the difference among the treatments. 'Hass' avocado fruits submitted the application of propolis associated the vegetable wax present smaller weight loss, CO2 production and firmness in relation to the control fruits. The fruits of the treatment with propolis alcoholic extract 2% and wax presented the most promising results.