Geopropolis gel for the adjuvant treatment of candidiasis - formulation and in vitro release assay

ABSTRACT The geopropolis produced by the stingless bee Melipona subnitida (popularly called "jandaíra" in Brazil) is a mixture of resin, wax, and mud. This study analyzed the antifungal activity of the geopropolis extract from Candida spp., developed a gel formulation with this extract and analyzed the delivery of bioactives (kinetics release) in the formulation and their chemical profile by UHPLC-PDA-qTOF-MS/MS. Three different gels were prepared using the geopropolis extract, carbomer, propylene glycol, and water. Formulations with different amounts of propylene glycol were investigated. Physical, visual, pH, viscosity, adhesion, spreadability, leakage, and in vitro release tests were performed in the proposed formulations. Antifungal tests with the geopropolis ethanolic extract were carried out against six Candida species. The chemical profile of the geopropolis extract and compounds released from the formulations were analyzed after the release test. The formulations had a pH between 4.6 and 4.8 and viscosity between 535,600 and 920,400 cPs. The geopropolis extract presented excellent antifungal activity against the tested yeasts. The results of the release test in semipermeable cellulose membrane showed that all formulations containing 5%, 10% and 40% propylene glycol presented release of geopropolis extract. For adhesion and leakage tests, the gel formulation with 5% propylene glycol was more effective. Both geopropolis ethanolic extract and the liquid obtained in the release test showed the presence of flavonoids (flavonol/flavone, flavanone, and chalcones). Gel formulations with geopropolis extract that are rich in flavonoids are promising as an adjuvant treatment of vaginal candidiasis.

Microbiota fúngica de Melipona subnitida Ducke (Hymenoptera: Apidae) / Fungi microbiot of Melipona subnitida Ducke (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

O presente trabalho descreve a ocorrência de fungos filamentosos sobre a superfície do corpo de abelhas da espécie Melipona subnitida Ducke, que habita regiões pedregosas do semi-árido nordestino. Abelhas com causa de morte natural foram coletadas de colméias pertencentes ao Centro de Multiplicação de Animais Silvestres da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido. Foram encontrados os fungos: Aspergillus sp. 6 (37,5 por cento); Aspergillus niger 2 (12,5 por cento); Penicilium sp. 2 (12,5 por cento); Aspergillus terreus 1 (6,3 por cento); Curvularia sp. 1 (6,3 por cento); Monilia sp. 1 (6,3 por cento); Nigrospora sp. 1 (6,3 por cento); Cladosporium sp. 1 (6,3 por cento); Tricoderma sp. 1 (6,3 por cento).

This paper reports on the occurrence of filamentous fungi found on the surface of the beeÆs body from the specie Melipona subnitida Ducke that inhabits rocky places on the semi-arid Northeastern Brazil. Bees with cause of natural death were collected of beehives belonging to the Centro de Multiplicação de Animais Silvestres of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido. We found the fungi: Aspergillus sp. 6 (37.5 percent); Aspergillus niger 2 (12.5 percent); Penicilium sp. 2 (12.5 percent); Aspergillus terreus 1 (6.3 percent); Curvularia sp. 1 (6.35 percent); Monilia sp. 1 (6.3 percent); Nigrospora sp. 1 (6.3 percent); Cladosporium sp. 1 (6.3 percent); Tricoderma sp. 1 (6.3 percent).