Use of propolis for skin wound healing: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Propolis is a natural resin that is produced by bees. It has anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties, promotes reepithelization, and stimulates skin regeneration. Propolis has great potential for the development of new therapeutic approaches to treat skin ulcers. The present study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies of the use of propolis for the regeneration of cutaneous wounds and its efficacy as a therapeutic agent. Data were collected from articles in the PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases that were published since 1900 by searching the terms "propolis" AND "wound healing." This search yielded 633 articles, of which 43 were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The results showed that interest in the therapeutic efficacy of propolis has increased over the years. The studies reported that the propolis was effective for the treatment of skin ulcers by promoting a higher percentage of healing than classically employed interventions. The mode of propolis application has also evolved. An increasing number of studies combined it with other substances and materials to achieve additive or synergistic effects on the skin regeneration process. Propolis appears to be an effective therapeutic alternative for the treatment of skin ulcers.

Interaction of Artepillin C with model membranes.

Green propolis, a mixture of beeswax and resinous compounds processed by Apis mellifera, displays several pharmacological properties. Artepillin C, the major compound in green propolis, consists of two prenylated groups bound to a phenyl group. Several studies have focused on the therapeutic effects of Artepillin C, but there is no evidence that it interacts with amphiphilic aggregates to mimic cell membranes. We have experimentally and computationally examined the interaction between Artepillin C and model membranes composed of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) because phosphatidylcholine (PC) is one of the most abundant phospholipids in eukaryotic cell membranes. PC is located in both outer and inner leaflets and has been used as a simplified membrane model and a non-specific target to study the action of amphiphilic molecules with therapeutic effects. Experimental results indicated that Artepillin C adsorbed onto the DMPC monolayers. Its presence in the lipid suspension pointed to an increased tendency toward unilamellar vesicles and to decreased bilayer thickness. Artepillin C caused point defects in the lipid structure, which eliminated the ripple phase and the pre-transition in thermotropic chain melting. According to molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, (1) Artepillin C aggregated in the aqueous phase before it entered the bilayer; (2) Artepillin C was oriented along the direction normal to the surface; (3) the negatively charged group on Artepillin C was accommodated in the polar region of the membrane; and (4) thinner regions emerged around the Artepillin C molecules. These results help an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the biological action of propolis.

Antiproliferative effects of Tubi-bee propolis in glioblastoma cell lines.

Propolis is a resin formed by a complex chemical composition of substances that bees collect from plants. Since ancient times, propolis has been used in folk medicine, due to its biological properties, that include antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral and immunomodulatory activities. Glioblastoma is the most common human brain tumor. Despite the improvements in GBM standard treatment, patients' prognosis is still very poor. The aim of this work was to evaluate in vitro the Tubi-bee propolis effects on human glioblastoma (U251 and U343) and fibroblast (MRC-5) cell lines. Proliferation, clonogenic capacity and apoptosis were analyzed after treatment with 1 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL propolis concentrations for different time periods. Additionally, glioblastoma cell lines were submitted to treatment with propolis combined with temozolomide (TMZ). Data showed an antiproliferative effect of tubi-bee propolis against glioblastoma and fibroblast cell lines. Combination of propolis with TMZ had a synergic anti-proliferative effect. Moreover, propolis caused decrease in colony formation in glioblastoma cell lines. Propolis treatment had no effects on apoptosis, demonstrating a cytostatic action. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the antitumor effect of propolis, and the study of its individual components may reveal specific molecules with antiproliferative capacity.

Antiproliferative effects of Tubi-bee propolis in glioblastoma cell lines

Propolis is a resin formed by a complex chemical composition of substances that bees collect from plants. Since ancient times, propolis has been used in folk medicine, due to its biological properties, that include antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral and immunomodulatory activities. Glioblastoma is the most common human brain tumor. Despite the improvements in GBM standard treatment, patients' prognosis is still very poor. The aim of this work was to evaluate in vitro the Tubi-bee propolis effects on human glioblastoma (U251 and U343) and fibroblast (MRC-5) cell lines. Proliferation, clonogenic capacity and apoptosis were analyzed after treatment with 1 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL propolis concentrations for different time periods. Additionally, glioblastoma cell lines were submitted to treatment with propolis combined with temozolomide (TMZ). Data showed an antiproliferative effect of tubi-bee propolis against glioblastoma and fibroblast cell lines. Combination of propolis with TMZ had a synergic antiproliferative effect. Moreover, propolis caused decrease in colony formation in glioblastoma cell lines. Propolis treatment had no effects on apoptosis, demonstrating a cytostatic action. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the antitumor effect of propolis, and the study of its individual components may reveal specific molecules with antiproliferative capacity.

Genetic structure of drone congregation areas of Africanized honeybees in southern Brazil.

As yet, certain aspects of the Africanization process are not well understood, for example, the reproductive behavior of African and European honeybees and how the first Africanized swarms were formed and spread. Drone congregation areas (DCAs) are the ideal place to study honeybee reproduction under natural conditions since hundreds of drones from various colonies gather together in the same geographical area for mating. In the present study, we assessed the genetic structure of seven drone congregations and four commercial European-derived and Africanized apiaries in southern Brazil, employing seven microsatellite loci for this purpose. We also estimated the number of mother-colonies that drones of a specific DCA originated from. Pairwise comparison failed to reveal any population sub-structuring among the DCAs, thus indicating low mutual genetic differentiation. We also observed high genetic similarity between colonies of commercial apiaries and DCAs, besides a slight contribution from a European-derived apiary to a DCA formed nearby. Africanized DCAs seem to have a somewhat different genetic structure when compared to the European.

Genetic structure of drone congregation areas of Africanized honeybees in southern Brazil

As yet, certain aspects of the Africanization process are not well understood, for example, the reproductive behavior of African and European honeybees and how the first Africanized swarms were formed and spread. Drone congregation areas (DCAs) are the ideal place to study honeybee reproduction under natural conditions since hundreds of drones from various colonies gather together in the same geographical area for mating. In the present study, we assessed the genetic structure of seven drone congregations and four commercial European-derived and Africanized apiaries in southern Brazil, employing seven microsatellite loci for this purpose. We also estimated the number of mother-colonies that drones of a specific DCA originated from. Pairwise comparison failed to reveal any population sub-structuring among the DCAs, thus indicating low mutual genetic differentiation. We also observed high genetic similarity between colonies of commercial apiaries and DCAs, besides a slight contribution from a European-derived apiary to a DCA formed nearby. Africanized DCAs seem to have a somewhat different genetic structure when compared to the European.

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.

Abelhas para a melhor idade: curso de meliponíneos, alfabetização técnica para a conservação / Bees for the best age: stingless bees course, technical teaching for conservation

O presente trabalho é resultado de uma experiência inédita desenvolvida por alunos do Programa de Pós-graduação em Entomologia da FFCLRP-USP, apresentando as abelhas sociais a grupos de pessoas da terceira idade, ministrando dois cursos de difusão cultural. Os objetivos, nestes cursos, foram despertar e desenvolver a consciência para a preservação dos recursos naturais, da diversidade da flora e fauna, redimensionar a prática pedagógica, com a universidade indo diretamente à comunidade unindo teoria e prática, utilizando como pano de fundo o estudo e o manejo de meliponíneos - abelhas sociais sem ferrão. Os resultados obtidos foram analisados pelo método qualitativo, considerando que as pessoas na terceira idade estão em uma fase de transição na qual deixam a obrigatoriedade das atividades escolhidas na juventude e têm a possibilidade de escolher outra atividade à qual queiram se dedicar só por prazer ou como atividade produtiva. A experiência com os grupos mostrou que a maneira como os conceitos foram trabalhados durante as aulas tornou muito fácil a compreensão e a prática, independentemente do nível de escolaridade dos alunos, visto que nos grupos havia desde pessoas com pós-graduação até pessoas que eram somente alfabetizadas. Outro aspecto educacional relevante é que se iniciou, a partir destes cursos, um grupo de discussões permanente com reuniões periódicas para aperfeiçoar e discutir propostas de preservação ambiental, caracterizando uma formação continuada.

The present work is the result of an unpublished experience developed by students of the Pos-Graduation Program in Entomology from FFCLRP-USP, presenting the social bees to senior citizen groups, carrying out two courses of cultural diffusion. The objectives, in these courses, were to arouse and develop the conscientious to preservation of natural resources, diversity of flora and fauna, resize the pedagogical practice, with the University acting directly in the community life joining theory and practice, having as a base the study and handling of stingless bees. The results were analyzed by the qualitative method, considering that senior citizen are in a transitory stage, on which they have already left the duties chosen at youth and have the possibility of choose another activity where they want to dedicate as a hobby or as a lucrative activity. The experience with the groups shown that the manner how the professors deal with some concepts during the classes made much easier the comprehension and practice, independently of the students scholar level, whereas in the groups there were pos graduated people until those that were just literate. Another important educational aspect is the initiation of a permanent discussion group with periodic meetings to improve and discuss proposal of environmental conservation characterizing a progressive learning.

Quantificação da produção do mel de Scaptotrigona aff. depilis (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apinae) do município de Luiz Antônio, São Paulo, Brasil / Quantification of the Scaptotrigona aff. depilis (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apinae) honey production from Luiz Antonio city, São Paulo, Brazil

O desenvolvimento da meliponicultura no Brasil vem sendo apoiado devido ao sabor diferenciado do mel dessas abelhas, sendo este produto muito utilizado na cura de inúmeras doenças. Além disso, o manejo dessas abelhas sem ferrão tem proporcionado a complementação de renda dos meliponicultores. Em função desse desenvolvimento, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar a produção de mel de Scaptotrigona aff. depilis. Foram realizados dois tratamentos: a influência do período do ano sobre a produção de mel; e a produção de mel de cada colônia. A análise do primeiro teste sugeriu que não há influência do período do ano sobre a produção de mel. O segundo tratamento sugeriu que as colônias produzem quantidades diferentes de mel, porém, ao analisá-las, duas a duas, verificou-se que um dos pares analisados é responsável pela produção diferencial entre as colônias, e a análise dos outros pares indica que as colônias produzem a mesma quantidade de mel. Há indícios para se afirmar que há variabilidade genética nessa espécie devido à produção diferencial; e que a produção poderia ser maior se houvesse o manejo de tais abelhas. O mel de meliponíneos tem um valor de comercialização considerável e a produção de Scaptotrigona aff. depilis é comparável à produção de outras espécies de abelhas.

The development of stingless bee keeping in Brazil has been supported due to the differentiated flavor of this bee honey, which is used to heal several illnesses. Moreover, the handling of these stingless bees has provided the complementation of families income. In function of this development, the present work had the aim of quantifying the Scaptotrigona aff. depilis honey production. Two treatments were carried out: the period of the year influence on the honey production and the production of each colony honey. The analysis of the first test suggested that the period of the year doesn’t influence the honey production. The second treatment suggested that the colonies produce different amounts of honey, however analyzing them two by two, it was verified that only one analyzed pair is responsible for the differential production between the colonies, and the analysis of the others pairs indicates that the colonies produce the same amount of honey. Thereare evidences to affirm that there is genetic variability in this species due to differential production; and that the production might be bigger if it the handling of such bees was practiced. The honey of stingless bees has a considerable value in commercialization and the production of Scaptotrigona aff. depilis is comparable to the production of other species of bees.

Flight a activity of Tetragona clavipes (Fabricius, 1804) (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) at the São Paulo University campus in Ribeirão Preto / Atividade de vôo de Tetragona clavipes (Fabricius, 1804) (Hymenopetra, Apidae, Meliponini) no campus da Universidade de São Paulo em Ribeirão Preto

The Tetragona clavipes (Fabricius, 1804) bees, knowing as “borá”, is found in all Brazil country until south of Parana state. However in the São Paulo state, this species is not very common. Our main aim was, in São Paulo University Campus at Ribeirão Preto, to realize the characterization of the flight activity of this bee, showing possible relations some environmental factors, such as temperature, relative humidity and “A” type ultraviolet radiation. Data were obtained during September and October months (Spring) and showed that there is a high correlation between the start and finish of the flight activity and environmental temperature. However the UVA radiation and specially air relative humidity did not show relevant role on this behavior and they were considered secondary factors.

A abelha Tetragona clavipes (Fabricius, 1804), também conhecida como Borá, é encontrada em todo Brasil, até os limites sul do estado do Paraná. Embora ocorra no estado de São Paulo, ela não é uma espécie muito comum. Nosso principal objetivo foi realizar, no Campus da USP em Ribeirão Preto, a caracterização das atividades de vôo dessa abelha, mostrando suas possíveis relações com alguns fatores climáticos, tais como temperatura, umidade relativa do ar e radiação ultravioleta do tipo A. Após coleta e análise dos dados durante os meses de Setembro e Outubro (primavera), pôde-se afirmar que existe uma alta correlação entre o início e o término das atividades de vôo e a temperatura ambiente. Porém, os índices de radiação UVA e principalmente a umidade relativa do ar não apresentaram papel relevante neste tipo de comportamento e foram considerados como parâmetros secundários.

Study of the interaction between Apis mellifera venom and micro-heterogeneous systems.

The bee venom, used in treatment of inflammatory and articular diseases, is a complex mixture of peptides and enzymes and the presence of tryptophan allows the investigation by fluorescence techniques. Steady state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy were used to study the interaction between bee venom extracted from Apis mellifera and three micro heterogeneous systems: sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) micelles, sodium dodecylsulphate-poly(ethylene oxide) (SDS-PEO) aggregates, and the polymeric micelles LUTROL F127, formed by poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)- poly(ethylene oxide). Fluorescence parameters in buffer solution were typical of peptides containing tryptophan exposed to the aqueous medium, and they gradually changed upon the addition of surfactant and polymeric micelles, demonstrating the interaction of the peptides with the micro heterogeneous systems. Quenching experiments were carried out using the N-alkylpyridinium ions (ethyl, hexyl, and dodecyl) as quenchers. In buffer solution the quenching has low efficiency and is independent of the alkyl chain length of the quencher. In the presence of the micro heterogeneous systems the extent of static and dynamic quenching enhanced, showing that both fluorophore and quenchers reside in the microvolume of the aggregates. The more hydrophobic quencher (dodecyl pyridinium ion) provides higher values for K (SV) and dynamic quenching constants, and SDS-PEO aggregates are most efficient to promote interaction between peptides and alkyl pyridinium ions. The results proved that bee venom interacts with drug delivery micelles of the copolymer LUTROL F127.

Clinal variation and selection on MDH allozymes in honeybees in Chile.

Evidence of clinal variation and selection on Mdh-1 locus was observed in 27 samples from 22 sites in a 2800 km north-south transect across Chile. We found a negative correlation among F allele normalized frequency and mean temperature, and minimum temperature of January and July, as well as a positive correlation among S allele normalized frequency and annual mean, and minimum January temperatures. Our results lend weight to the idea that Chilean honeybee populations of colder areas have higher F allele frequencies, supporting previous claims that Mdh-1 allozymes of Apis mellifera are subject to temperature-mediated selection.

Genetic structure of honeybee populations from southern Brazil and Uruguay

Apis mellifera scutellata was introduced to Brazil in 1956 and Africanized honeybee populations have now spread from Argentina to the southwestern United States. Temperate climatic restrictions seem to be a natural limit to Africanized honeybee expansion around parallels 35º to 40º SL. We used allozyme loci (Mdh-1 and Hk-1) and mtDNA haplotypes to characterize honeybee populations in southern Brazil and Uruguay and define a possible transition area between Africanized and European bees. Samples of 194 bee colonies were collected from ten localities between 30º-35º SL and 52º-59º WL. The mtDNA restriction patterns of these colonies were obtained through digestion of the mitochondrial genome by Eco RI, or by digestion by Bgl II and Xba I of the cytochrome B locus and the COI-COII intergenic region, respectively. The distribution limit of African bee colonies, i.e., those populations with only the African mtDNA haplotype and with a high proportion of African genes as shown by allozyme analysis, is located in northern Uruguay, with a hybridization zone located farther south in Uruguay. A gradual cline from north to south was observed, confirmed by mtDNA, racial admixture, and genetic distance analyses. No evidence of either gametic disequilibrium between nuclear markers or cytonuclear disequilibrium among the nuclear and mtDNA genotypes was detected, suggesting that the hybridization process has been completed