Effects of stingless bee and honey bee propolis on four species of bacteria

We examined the antibacterial activities of several types of propolis, including Africanized honey bee green propolis and propolis produced by meliponini bees. The antibacterial activity of green propolis against Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus was superior to that of Melipona quadrifasciata and Scaptotrigona sp propolis. Only two samples of propolis (green propolis and Scaptotrigona sp propolis) were efficient against Escherichia coli. Melipona quadrifasciata propolis was better than green propolis and Scaptotrigona sp propolis against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We concluded that these resins have potential for human and veterinary medicine.

Microencapsulation of propolis extract by complex coacervation

The propolis has potential to be a natural food additive However its application is limited because It is alcohol-soluble and has strong flavour Microencapsulation may be an alternative for reducing these problems The aim of this study was to encapsulate propolis extract by complex coacervation using isolated soy protein and pectin as encapsulant agents The coacervation was studied as a function of pH (5 0 4 5 4 0 and 3 5) and the concentration of encapsulants and core (2 5 and 5 0 g/100 mL) Samples obtained at pH 4 0 in both concentrations were lyophilized and analyzed for hygroscopicity encapsulation efficiency particle size morphology thermal behavior stability of phenolic and flavonoids during storage as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities It was possible to encapsulate propolis extract by complex coacervation and to obtain it in the form of powder alcohol-free stable with antioxidant property antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and with the possibility of controlled release in foods (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved

Propolis as storage media for avulsed teeth: microscopic and morphometric analysis in rats

The maintenance of the avulsed teeth in appropriate media for preserving the cellular viability has been important for repairing the periodontal ligament and preventing the root resorption after tooth reimplantation. Propolis is a substance capable of preserving cellular viability. This study aimed to analyze the propolis substance as a storage media for maintaining the avulsed teeth, besides to determine the ideal time period for keeping the tooth inside it. Thus, 60 maxillary right central incisors of rats were extracted and divided into five groups. In groups I and II, teeth were kept in propolis for 60 min and 6 h, respectively; in group III, teeth were kept in milk for 6 h; in group IV, teeth were kept dry for 60 min; and in group V, they were immediately reimplanted. All teeth had their root canals filled with calcium hydroxide paste. Following, teeth were reimplanted in their sockets. After 15 and 60 days, animals were killed and the obtained samples were processed in laboratory for microscopic and morphometric analyzing. The results showed that the occurrence of inflammatory resorption, dental ankylosis and the formation of the connective tissue parallel to the root surface were similar among groups. It could be verified a greater occurrence of replacement resorption in group IV when comparing to other groups. In groups I and IV, the presence of periodontal ligament-like connective tissue was substantially smaller than the other groups. Regarding to the cementum amount over the root, it could be observed that this was present in smaller amount in groups I and IV. Group II was similar to groups III and IV. Therefore, according to the results of this study, the use of propolis as a storage media for maintaining avulsed teeth could be highlighted, and the 6-h period was more appropriate than the 60-min period.

Study of the effectiveness of propolis extract as a storage medium for avulsed teeth

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of propolis extract in maintaining the viability of human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells, and to radiographically analyze tooth replantation and the adjacent periodontium in dogs after storage in this extract. Human PDL cells were incubated with the experimental media propolis, milk, saliva, Hank`s balanced salt solution (HBSS), and Dulbecco`s modified Eagles medium (DMEM, positive controls), and distilled water (negative control). Cell viability was determined 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h later by colorimetric MTT assay. Thirty incisors from dogs were divided into two storage time blocks (1 and 3 h) and were maintained in the experimental media. HBSS served as a positive control, and dry teeth (on gauze) as a negative control. The replanted teeth were radiographed once per month for 6 months. The radiographic images were standardized by the shortening/lengthening factor, and were both qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. The in vitro results showed that the efficacy of propolis in maintaining functional viability of PDL cells was similar to that of milk. Propolis and milk were significantly better than controls from the 6-h time period. The in vivo results showed that teeth maintained in propolis medium exhibited replacement resorption with significant reduction in tooth length, similar to teeth maintained in saliva and dried teeth. This resorption was less intense with the 3-h storage time than the 1-h storage time. Conditions close to normal were found in teeth maintained in milk, similar to the HBSS control. Therefore, although propolis was effective in maintaining the viability of human PDL cells, resorption of the tooth replantation in dogs occurred under these experimental conditions.

Physicochemical properties and antioxidant capacity of propolis of stingless bees (Meliponinae) and Apisfrom two regions of Tocantins, Brazil

ABSTRACTThe composition of propolis depends on time, vegetation and the location of the collection area. The objective of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics, the concentration of phenol compounds and the antioxidant capacity of propolis of native stingless bees (Meliponinae)and Apis from the State of Tocantins. Extraction with 80% ethanol (v/v) was performed in order to obtain the extracts. Parameters examined were: propolis mass loss by desiccation at 105 ºC, ashes, wax concentration and pH. Furthermore, the propolis antioxidant activity was measured, as well as the total concentration of phenol compounds. The extracts were also analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The total concentration of phenol compounds varied between 121.78 and 631.29 (mg GAE g-1). The antioxidant activity expressed by the value of CE50 varied between 29.81 and 845.38 µg mL-1. High performance liquid chromatography analysis allowed us to infer the existence of phenol compounds. The results indicated that the studied propolis samples constitute good sources of natural antioxidants. The variety of phenol compounds identified in this study, and the diverse biological functions reported in literature for these compounds indicated that this stingless bee propolis (Meliponinae) and Apis has a high pharmacological potential.

Atividade anti Staphylococcus aureus de extratos de própolis (EP) de Apis mellifera preparados com diferentes concentrações de etanol

Propolis has been used in folk medicine and possesses a broad spectrum of biological activities, specially antibacterial activity. Studies have demonstrated that the composition of propolis extract may have influence in such activity. The goal of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of eleven propolis extracts (PE) against sixty one Staphylococcus aureus strains, isolated from newborn clinical specimens. The PE from Apis mellifera were prepared by using pure water and mixtures of water with ethanol at different concentrations (from 0 to 100%), 25g of propolis in 100 mL of solvent, and three days of maceration followed by filtration. Determination of Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) by agar dilution method was performed and serial concentrations from each PE were achieved (%v/v) in plates containing Mueller Hinton agar. It was possible to verify that the anti S. aureus activity was directly proportional to ethanol concentration and no significant differences were observed among PE with ethanol concentration from 70 to 100%. The MIC 90% values ranged from 0.4 to 0.6% (v/v) and the 70% ethanolic extract were the most efficient to inhibit bacterial growth (MIC 90%=0.42%, v/v). In conclusion, our results suggest that the EP composition and, consequently, the concentration of ethanol used as solvent may influence the antibacterial activity of propolis from A. mellifera.

Inhibitory effect of propolis and bee venom on the mutagenicity of some direct- and indirect-acting mutagens

The antimutagenic effect of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) and honeybee (Apis mellifera) venom, both collected in the State of Sb Paulo, Brazil, was assessed by the Salmonella/microsome assay upon direct- and indirect-acting mutagens. EEP had inhibitory effect (in an ascending order) on the mutagenicity power of daunomycin (TA102), benzo(a)pyrene (TA100), and aflatoxin B-1(TA98) and the venom acted against the mutagenicity of 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (TA98) and daunomycin (TA102). (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Honey bee lines selected for high propolis production also have superior hygienic behavior and increased honey and pollen stores

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

Antioxidant Properties of Bee Products of Plant- Origin Part 2. Propolis and Pollen

Over the last years, the hive products such as propolis and pollen have been highlighted due to their potential health benefits, including antioxidant abilities that have been correlated with their content in phenolic compounds. Regardless of the several factors that may affect propolis and pollen antioxidant activity, these products have been shown to possess, either through the use of in vitro or in vivo models, important features concerning the modulation of cellular oxidative stress caused by environmental factors (e.g. UV-light), metals, pesticides and other xenobiotics. This modulatory effect focus not only on the capture of radicals that these elements might eventually generate, but also by the activation of cellular antioxidant mechanisms such as enzymatic antioxidants or by modifying gene expression patterns. Although the mechanisms behind these responses are not fully known, it has been showed that caffeic acid phenethyl ester, pinocembrin and chrisin are some of the compounds responsible for some of these responses. Taking into account the gathered results, propolis and pollen can be viewed as potential agents in the re-stabilization of cellular oxidative imbalance and in the prevention of oxidative stress related diseases.

Phytochemical Markers Of Different Types Of Red Propolis.

Propolis is a resin that bees collect from different plant sources and use in the defense of the bee community. The intricate composition of propolis varies depending on plant sources from different geographic regions and many types have been reported. Red coloured propolis found in several states in Brazil and in other countries has known antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Different analytical methods have been applied to studies regarding the chemical composition and plant origins of red propolis. In this study samples of red propolis from different regions have been characterised using direct infusion electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI(-)-MS) fingerprinting. Data from the fingerprints was extracted and analysed by multivariate analysis to group the samples according to their composition and marker compounds. Despite similar colour, the red coloured propolis samples were divided into three groups due to contrasting chemical composition, confirming the need to properly characterise the chemical composition of propolis.

A Comparison Between Characterization And Biological Properties Of Brazilian Fresh And Aged Propolis.

As propolis is a highly valued bee product, we aimed to verify the quality of aged propolis, investigating their phenolic and flavonoid composition, levels of toxic metals, radical scavenging and antimicrobial activities. Samples of fresh and aged propolis of six different beekeepers, from the same geographical location, were investigated in terms of their phenolic and flavonoid composition and levels of Pb, Cd, and Cr, as well as radical scavenging and antimicrobial activities. The two groups of propolis had similar qualitative composition by HPLC-PDA and ESI(-)-MS. Fresh propolis and aged propolis show no differences when average values of extraction yield, flavonoids, EC50, or MIC were compared and both types of propolis showed good antimicrobial activity at low concentrations. Only levels of phenolic compounds were higher in fresh propolis. The propolis samples considered in this study, aged or fresh, had similar qualitative composition, although they were collected in different periods. Samples only differed in their levels of total phenolic content. Moreover, aged propolis conserves significant radical scavenging and antimicrobial properties. We suggest that aged propolis should not be discarded but explored for alternative applications.

Aqueous Extract of Brazilian Green Propolis: Primary Components, Evaluation of Inflammation and Wound Healing by Using Subcutaneous Implanted Sponges

Propolis is a chemically complex resinous bee product which has gained worldwide popularity as a means to improve health condition and prevent diseases. The main constituents of an aqueous extract of a sample of green propolis from Southeast Brazil were shown by high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy/mass spectroscopy to be mono- and di-O-caffeoylquinic acids; phenylpropanoids known as important constituents of alcohol extracts of green propolis, such as artepillin C and drupanin were also detected in low amounts in the aqueous extract. The anti-inflammatory activity of this extract was evaluated by determination of wound healing parameters. Female Swiss mice were implanted subcutaneously with polyesther-polyurethane sponge discs to induce wound healing responses, and administered orally with green propolis (500mg kg(-1)). At 4, 7 and 14 days post-implantation, the fibrovascular stroma and deposition of extracellular matrix were evaluated by histopathologic and morphometric analyses. In the propolis-treated group at Days 4 and 7 the inflammatory process in the sponge was reduced in comparison with control. A progressive increase in cell influx and collagen deposition was observed in control and propolis-treated groups during the whole period. However, these effects were attenuated in the propolis-treated group at Days 4 and 7, indicating that key factors of the wound healing process are modulated by propolis constituents.

Palynological and physicochemical characterization of Apis mellifera L. bee pollen in the Southern region of Brazil

Bee pollen has been used for many years in both traditional medicine and supplementary nutrition, as well as in alternative diets, mainly due to its nutritional properties and health benefits. Bee pollen production is a recent activity in Brazil, having begun in the late 1980s. However, the country has the potential of being a large world producer of high quality pollen, particularly because of the great diversity of tropical flora and the resistance of the Brazilian Apis mellifera bee races. Thirty-six samples of bee pollen from the Southern region of Brazil were analyzed regarding pollen types and physicochemical and nutritional composition. Only one sample was considered monofloral, which was exclusively composed by pollen from the Asteraceae family). The State of Parana showed a greater variety of pollen types, 18 in total, representing 82% of the total number identified in this study. The bee pollen in the States of Rio Grande do Sul and Parana showed a higher number of samples with humidity content above the standard permitted by the Brazilian legislation, i.e. over 4%. The bee pollen was characterized by its high protein content with average values of 20.47%. The analysis regarding humidity, lipids and sugar showed no statistical differences among the samples (p<0.05). The pollen samples had a high concentration of reducible sugars (48%). The predominant minerals in the samples PR, SC and RS were phosphorus (7102.29, 6873.40, 6661.73 mg/kg of pollen), followed by potassium (5383.73, 4997.77, 4773.26 mg/kg of pollen), calcium (1179.05, 961.93, 848.36 mg/kg of pollen) and magnesium (818.02, 679.01, 725.89 mg/kg of pollen). Statistical analysis (Tukey test) demonstrated no significant difference between the contents of calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus and sodium in the pollen samples of the South of Brazil. However, the samples from the State of Parana contained the highest contents of potassium and differed statistically from the samples of the State of Rio Grande do Sul.

In vitro study of the antimicrobial activity of Brazilian propolis against Paenibacillus larvae

The honey bee disease American foulbrood (AFB) is a serious problem since its causative agent (Paenibacillus larvae) has become increasingly resistant to conventional antibiotics. The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro activity of propolis collected from various states of Brazil against P. larvae. Propolis is derived from plant resins collected by honey bees (Apis mellifera) and is globally known for its antimicrobial properties and particularly valued in tropical regions. Tests on the activity of propolis against P. larvae were conducted both in Brazil and Minnesota, USA using two resistance assay methods that measured zones of growth inhibition due to treatment exposure. The propolis extracts from the various states of Brazil showed significant inhibition of P. larvae. Clear dose responses were found for individual propolis extracts, particularly between the concentrations of 1.7 and 0.12 mg propolis/treatment disk, but the source of the propolis, rather than the concentration, may be more influential in determining overall activity. Two of the three tested antibiotics (tylosin and terramycin) exhibited a greater level of inhibition compared to most of the Brazilian samples, which could be due to the low concentrations of active compounds present in the propolis extracts. Additionally, the majority of the Brazilian propolis samples were more effective than the few collected in MN, USA. Due to the evolution of resistance of P. larvae to conventional antibiotic treatments, this research is an important first step in identifying possible new active compounds to treat AFB in honey bee colonies. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.