The activity of propolis against pathogenic fungi isolated from human infections

Abstract Propolis is a resinous hive product collected by bees from the buds or other parts of plants. It is known for having various biological properties, including antifungal activity. Among the substances present in propolis, flavonoids and phenolic acids and their esters are responsible for its antifungal properties. This means that propolis is ideal for use as an antifungal agent in alternative medicine to treat a number of both topical and systemic infections caused by Candida species and other yeast-like fungi, dermatophyte and nondermatophyte moulds, without the serious side effects typical of synthetic treatment. It is also active against strains of fungi that are resistant to polyenes and azoles, the classes of drugs most commonly used to treat fungal infections. In this article, we review current knowledge about the activity of propolis from different parts of the world and its components in vitro and in vivo against pathogenic fungi isolated from human infections. The article also indicates the possible mechanism of antifungal activity of propolis and its components.

Increased Expression of RUNX2 and ALP Resulting from a Combination of Propolis Extract and Bovine Bone Graft in Socket Preservation Material

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the inductive effect of a combination of propolis and BBG extract on RUNX2 and ALP expression in the tooth extraction sockets of Cavia cobaya. Fifty- six Cavia cobaya were divided into four groups: polyethylene glycol (PEG), propolis extract + PEG, BBG + PEG, and propolis extract + BBG + PEG. The lower left incisor was extracted, and the socket subsequently filled with material according to the specific group of which the subject was a member. The subjects were sacrificed on the 14th and 30th days. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out under a light microscope at 400x magnification. Statistical analysis was then carried out by means of One-Way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. The mean number of RUNX2 and ALP expressions in each group was significantly different. The highest number of RUNX2 and ALP expressions occurred in the propolis + BBG + PEG group on the 30th day, while the lowest expressions were observed in the control group on the 14th day. A combination of propolis and BBG extract at a concentration of 2% of active substance effectively increases the expression of RUNX2 and ALP in preserving the tooth extraction sockets of Cavia cobaya.

Stingless bee propolis, metformin, and their combination alleviate diabetic cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background and aim: Stingless bee propolis, a resinous compound processed by mandibular secretion of stingless bees, is used for maintenance of hygiene and stability of beehives. Research on stingless bee propolis shows therapeutic properties attributed to polyphenols exhibiting antioxidative, antihyperglycemic and antiischemic effect. However, the cardioprotective effect of stingless bee propolis on diabetic cardiomyopathy is unknown. Methods: Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomised to five groups: normal group, diabetic group, diabetic given metformin (DM+M), diabetic given propolis (DM+P) and diabetic given combination therapy (DM+M+P) and treated for four weeks. Body weight, fasting blood glucose, food and water intake were taken weekly. At the end of experiment, biomarkers of oxidative damage were measured in serum and heart tissue. Antioxidants in heart tissue were quantified. Part of left ventricle of heart was processed for histological staining including Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain for myocyte size and Masson's Trichrome (MT) stain for heart fibrosis and perivascular fibrosis. Results: Propolis alleviated features of diabetic cardiomyopathy such as myocyte hypertrophy, heart fibrosis and perivascular fibrosis associated with improvement in antioxidative status. Conclusion: This study reports beneficial effect of propolis and combination with metformin in alleviating histopathological feature of diabetic cardiomyopathy by modulating antioxidants, making propolis an emerging complementary therapy.

Allergic contact cheilitis caused by propolis: case report

ABSTRACT Propolis is a lipophilic resin extracted from plants by bees. The purpose of this case report was to show the importance of this substance as cause of allergic contact cheilitis. A 21-year-old female patient complained of pruritic perioral eczema for 5 years. In the past months it also affected the neck. After diagnosing contact dermatitis, she was submitted to a patch test with a Latin American baseline series. The result was strongly positive for propolis (++) and weakly positive for perfume mix I (+). After the test, the patient revealed she had been using propolis drops, per oris, for 10 years. The worsening of the condition was due to increased dose, aiming "to improve immunity", during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The contact allergy to propolis might be increasing due to the widespread use of natural products. Propolis is a sensitizer to be considered in patients with long-lasting cheilitis.

Dual effect of Algerian propolis on lung cancer: antitumor and chemopreventive effects involving antioxidant activity

Abstract The purpose of our study was to divulge the antiproliferative effect of an ethanolic extract of Algerian propolis (EEP) in the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) and reveal the chemopreventive role against benzo(a)pyrene-induced lung carcinogenesis in albino Wistar rats. Cytotoxicity of EEP was evaluated using the MTT assay and cell adhesion in A549 cells. Moreover, rats were given 25 mg/kg of propolis for 5 days before induction of experimental lung cancer by a single intraperitoneal dose of 200 mg/kg benzo(a)pyrene. Body weight, lung weight, lipid peroxidation, marker enzymes, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were estimated. The EEP demonstrated an inhibitory effect on proliferation of A549 at 24 and 72 hours in a dose-dependent manner and blocked adhesion of the cells by fibrinogen. Moreover, EEP reduced the oxidative stress generated by benzo(a)pyrene. The pre-treatment showed that enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants increased and lipid peroxidation decreased. A histological analysis further supported these findings and showed a decrease in the number of side effects. These results are particularly important for both clinical applications of propolis and the possibility for its use as a potential chemotherapeutic agent.

Influência da própolis sobre os perfis leucocitário e proteico de camundongos e tempo de fechamento de feridas excisionais limpas e infectadas por Staphylococcus aureus / Influence of Propolis on leukocyte and protein profiles of mice and closing time of excisional wounds clean and infected by Staphylococcus aureus

RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da própolis sobre os perfis leucocitário e protéico de camundongos e sobre o tempo de fechamento de lesões de pele confeccionadas experimentalmente, limpas e infectadas com Staphylococcus aureus. No primeiro, foram utilizados 48 animais divididos em quatro grupos, sendo um tratado com solução hidroalcóolica pura e três tratados com própolis a 10%, nas dosagens de 20 mg, 40 mg e 80 mg por animal de 25 gramas de peso, em única aplicação intraperitoneal. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue no segundo, 10º, 18º e 26º dias após o tratamento para realização de leucograma, proteinograma e fracionamento eletroforético das proteínas. Na avaliação da atividade cicatrizante, também foram utilizados 48 camundongos divididos em seis grupos, nos quais realizou-se a confecção cirúrgica de feridas na dimensão de 1cm2, após anestesia dissociativa. Dois grupos serviram como controle para feridas limpas e infectadas. Dois grupos de feridas infectadas por S. aureuse dois grupos de feridas limpas foram tratados com própolis a 5% e 10%, sendo a escolha destas concentrações baseada em um estudo piloto realizado. Os resultados mostraram que o tratamento com própolis influencia o leucograma e o proteinograma, de forma dose-dependente, sendo que a maior dose utilizada desencadeou leucocitose com linfocitose e aumento de proteínas da fração gamaglobulínica, no 10º dia após o início do tratamento. Também mostraram que a concentração da solução influenciou o tempo de cicatrização das feridas infectadas, ocorrendo em menor tempo no grupo tratado com a solução a 5%.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the propolis effects on both the leukocyte and protein profiles of mice and on the closing time of skin lesions made experimentally, clean and infected with Staphylococcus aureus. The first 48 animals were divided into four groups, one treated with pure alcohol solution and three treated with propolis 10% at dosages of 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg per 25 g of animal weight in an intraperitoneal single application . Blood samples in the second, and then 10º, 18º and 26º days after treatment were collected in order to perform WBC, proteins and electrophoretic fractionation of proteins. Regarding the healing activity, also 48 mice divided into six groups were used, in whom surgical wounds in the size of 1cm2 were purposely inflicted , after the dissociative anesthesia were applied . Two groups served as control ones, for clean and infected wounds. Two groups of S. aureus with infected wounds and two groups with clean sores were treated with 5% and 10 % propolis, being this concentration choice based on a pilot study previously performed. The results showed that treatment with propolis influences leukocyte and protein concentrations in a dose- dependent manner, with the highest dose triggering leukocytosis with lymphocytosis and increasing the protein fraction of gamaglobulínica, on the 10th day after the start of treatment. It also indicated that the concentration of the solution influence the time of healing of infected wounds, since the process on the group treated with 5% solution happened faster.

Antioxidant activity of bee products added to water in tebuconazole-exposed fish

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of honey, propolis, and bee pollen for the reversal of lipid peroxidation induced by tebuconazole (TEB) in South American catfish (Rhamdia quelen), in which the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), the activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and the concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidants, reduced glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid, and non-protein thiols were assessed. Honey (0.125 g L-1) and bee pollen (0.05 g L-1) added to the water reverse the production of TBARS induced by TEB, while propolis demonstrated a pro-oxidant effect, inducing an increase in TBARS production. The data presented herein suggest that the addition of water to honey and bee pollen potentially protects against the oxidative stress caused by agrichemicals.

Um experimento foi conduzido objetivando avaliar o potencial do mel, da própolis e do pólen apícola na reversão da peroxidação lipídica causada pelo fungicida tebuconazole (TEB) na espécie de peixe tropical Rhamdia quelen, avaliando a concentração das substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), a atividade da enzima glutationa-S-transferase (GST) e das concentrações dos antioxidantes glutationa reduzida (GSH), ácido ascórbico e dos tiois não proteicos. O mel adicionado à água na concentração de 0,125g L-1 e o pólen apícola na concentração de 0.05 g L-1reverteram a geração das TBARS causada pela exposição ao TEB, enquanto a própolis demonstrou efeito pró-oxidante, induzindo um aumento na geração das TBARS. Os dados apresentados neste trabalho sugerem o potencial do mel e do pólen apícola adicionados à água como substâncias protetoras contra o estresse oxidativo causado por agroquímicos.

Adição de própolis ao hidróxido de cálcio e sua influência na ação antibacteriana / Addition of propolis to calcium hydroxide and its influence on antibacterial action

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de duas diferentes concentrações de própolis em extrato etanólico sobre aação antibacteriana do hidróxido de cálcio (Ca(OH)2). Foram preparadas suspensões contendo 108 células/mL das bactérias Gram positivas Enterococcos faecalis; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus saprophyticus e Gram negativas Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Escherichia coli. Alíquotas de 0,1 mL das suspensões foram semeadas em duplicata, em agarMuller Hinton. Discos de papel de filtro foram embebidos em extratos etanólicos de própolis a 20 e 40%; em Ca(OH)2preparado com os referidos extratos de própolis e Ca(OH)2 preparado em solução fisiológica, sendo em seguida posicionados sobre o ágar. As placas foram incubadas a 37°C/24h e após este período, os halos de inibição do crescimento bacteriano foram medidos. Através do teste de ANOVA one way verificou-se que Ca(OH)2 em solução fisiológica mostrou maior halo de inibição do crescimento bacteriano (p<0.001) em comparação com o hidróxido de cálcio preparado comprópolis. A presença de própolis diminuiu a ação antibacteriana do Ca(OH)2 puro em pó tanto frente a bactérias Gram positiva quanto Gram negativa (p<0.001). Os resultados sugerem e estudos posteriores devem verificar se a característicaresinosa da própolis pode ter dificultado a difusão e conseqüente ação antibacteriana do Ca(OH)2.

Influência do aloe vera e própolis na contração de feridas em dorso de ratos / The Influenceaf Aloe vera and propolis in the contraction of wounds on dorsal area of rats

Os produtos naturais Aloe vera e própolis vêm se destacando na indústria farmacêutica. Para uma melhor compreensão desses agentes, o estudo objetivou comparar clinicamentea influência do Aloe vera in naturae um extrato hidroalcoólicode própolis na contração de feridas cutâneas em dorso de ratas. Depois de anestesiados os animais, produziu-se uma ferida com área de 1cm2 no dorso de cada um deles até atingiro tecido subcutâneo, preservando-se o tecido muscular. Imediatamenteapós a cirurgia, iniciaram-se as aplicações dos agentes cinco vezes por semana, uma vez ao dia, no mesmo horáriodurante toda a fase experimental. As mensurações das áreasdas feridas foram realizadas nos períodos de 1,3,7, 12 e 15dias, através de um paquímetro digital. Após obter-se o valor das áreas, foi avaliada a contração das feridas através da seguinte fórmula: (área inicial - área do dia da medida) / área inicial x 100 = percentual de contração no dia da medida. Efetuaram-se as médias dos grupos em cada tempo experimentale comparam-nas (Anova e corretivo Bonferroni). Os resultados evidenciaram que nos dias 3 e J2 as contrações daslesões no grupo Aloe vera e própolis foram maiores, se comparado-as ao grupo teste (p<0,05). No tempo experimental de 1, 7 e 15 dias, não houve diferença estatística (p>0,05) entre os grupos. Diante de tais resultados, observou-se que clinicamente, em dorso de ratos, Aloe vera in naturae própolis foram auxiliaresem um reparo mais rápido da lesão.

Avaliação do efeito da própolis sobre biofilme dentário, doença gengival e nível de s. mutans em saliva de crianças livres de cárie / Evaluation of effect of propolis on dental plaque, gem disease and mutans levels in saliva of caries free children

Objetivou-se avaliar e comparar o efeito do bochecho de própolis (Apis mellifera) sobre o biofilme dentário, doença gengival e nível de S. mutans na saliva em criançaslivres de cárie. Em um estudo cruzado, 15 crianças (8-9 anos) foram submetidas à solução diária de bochecho de própolis a 6,25 por cento (BP) durante 15 dias consecutivos e após o intervalo de 21 dias, as mesmas bochecharam a solução de clorexidina a 0,12 por cento (BC). Foram mensurados índices de acúmulo de biofilme dentário (PHP e IHOS), doença gengival (ISG e IG) antes (TO) e 24 horas (T1) após o emprego das soluções e contagem de S. mutans na saliva antes (TO), 24 horas (T1), 7 dias (T7), 15 dias (T15) e 21 dias (T21) após o término de ambos os bochechos. Os resultados indicaram, pelo teste de Friedman, redução significativa para S. mutans após o uso tanto do BP qunato do BC em T1 e apenas para BC em T7 (p<0,05). Houve redução significativa no IG e ISG para ambas as soluções (P<0,01). A redução do biofilme dentário foi significativa para BP e BC, segundo PHP, porém apenas o BC obteve redução significativa para IHOS (p<0,05). O teste Mann-Whitney não apontou diferença estatística entre os ítens avaliados em T1, T7, T15 e T21 quando se comparou BP e BC entre eles (p>0,05). Dessa forma concluímos que a solução de própolis foi tão eficaz quanto a clorexidina sobre o biofilme dentário, doença gengival e S. mutans.

Análise sérica das enzimas aspartato aminotransferase, alanina aminotransferase e gama glutamiltranspeptidase de coelhos adultos tratados com extrato bruto de própolis / Serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase enzymes in rabbits treated with crude extract of propolis

Diversos trabalhos têm atribuído a própolis inúmeras propriedades farmacológicas, dentre elas podemos citar, como exemplo, efeitos antibacteriano, antiviral, antiinflamatório, regenerador do tecido cartilaginoso, inibidor da formação de radicais livres e redutor de níveis sangüíneo de glicose e triacilglicerol. Alguns efeitos colaterais são atribuídos à própolis principalmente em doses elevadas. Muitos efeitos tóxicos da própolis são atribuídos ao álcool etílico presente no extrato. Dentre alguns efeitos tóxicos citados em literatura como realmente da própolis temos a dermatite e o aumento da uréia sangüínea. O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar se o extrato bruto de própolis ocasiona algum efeito adverso nos níveis séricos de alanina aminotransferase, aspartato aminotransferase e gama – glutamiltranspeptidase de coelhos saudáveis. O experimento teve 30 dias de duração, sendo as dosagens dos constituintes do sangue (alanina aminotransferase, aspartato aminotransferase e gama – glutamiltranspeptidase) realizadas a 0, 15 e 30 dias. Os resultados indicaram que, de o extrato bruto de própolis na forma testadea, não ocasionou alteração relevante nos níveis séricos das enzimas marcadoras de metabolismo hepático

Effect of Brazilian propolis on experimental hepatotoxicity in rats

Propolis (bee glue) is one of the major hive products of bees and is rich in flavanoids, which are known for their antioxidant activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of the ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) against experimental carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver toxicity in rats by means of biochemical indices. The animals were divided into 4 groups: GI= received mineral oil; GII= CCl4 (4mL/kg; i.p., single dose) treated; GIII= CCl4 (4mL/kg; i.p., single dose) treatment followed by ethanolic extract propolis (100mg/kg) for gavage from the species Tetragonisca angustula, daily for 3 days and GIV= CCl4 (4mL/kg; i.p., single dose) treatment followed by ethanolic extract of propolis (100mg/kg) for gavage from the species Nannotrigonea testaceicornes , daily, for 3 days. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), cholesterol and tricylglycerols were estimated after 3 days. CCl4 caused a maximum increase (p,0,01) above biochemical parameters. As compared to CCl4 group (GII) the EEP (GIII and GIV) showed reduction in cholesterol, triacylglycerol, ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase activity in the serum. In conclusion, these data indicate that EEP improved the dyslipidaemia, moreover, significantly attenuated increases in serum ALT and AST activities in rats with liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride

Seasonal effect of brazilian propolis on seric biochemical variables

Propolis has been the subject of recent scientific investigation due to its bilogical properties, such as antibiotic, antiinflammatory, anesthetic, healing, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and carcinostatic. The purpose of this study was to analyze the biochemical profile of propolis-treated rats to observe whether propolis might lead to side effects after administration. Evaluation of total protein, glucose, urea, creatinine, triglycerides, cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol concentrations and determination of aminotransferases (AST and ALT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in propolis-treated rat serum were performed. The seasonal effect on propolis activity was also analysed, considering the biochemical variables evaluated. The lack of clinically important changes in seric biochemical variables is probably because propolis showed no biological side effects under these conditions. A possible seasonal effect on the biochemical determinations was not observed.

Absence of seasonal effect on the immunomodulatory action of brazilian propolis on natural killer activity

Propolis, a beehive product widely used in folk medicine as an antiinflammatory agent, has been attracting researchers attention to scientifically elucidate its biological properties and therapeutic activities. The aim of this paper was to study the possible effect of propolis on natural killer activity, since propolis immunomodulatory action has been suggested, especially on non-specific immunity. Propolis was produced by africanized honeybees (Apis mellifera L.), collected throughout a whole year, and pooled by season. Hydroalcoholic solutions of propolis were prepared with each pool and administered to rats by gavage over three days. Natural killer activity of non-adherent spleen cells was evaluated by the 51Cr-release cytotoxicity assay against Yac-1 target cells. Our results indicated that the natural killer activity was increased in spleen cells from propolis-treated animals. There were no significant differences related to the seasonal effect on the immunomodulatory action of propolis.

Dermatite de contato ao própolis / Dermatitis contact by the própolis

Relatamos um caso de dermatite de contato ao própolis, apresentado uma sucinta revisäo da literatura. Considerando o fato de que o própolis tem uma alta capacidade de sensibilizaçäo, este näo deve ser aplicado topicamente