Propolis: Properties, Application, and Its Potential
Propolis is a honeybee product known for its biological and pharmacological properties for centuries. It has been extensively used in traditional medicine and also, because of its antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and anesthetic activities, in complementary medicine. Propolis became subject of numerous studies developed and carried out all over the world in order to analyze its chemical composition as well as medicinal properties.
The inspiration for this special issue was the tenth anniversary of death of Professor Stan Scheller, a precursor of propolis research in Poland. For this special issue we invited investigators and scholars to submit original research reports and review articles as well as short communications on the topic of propolis: its history, the history of the research on propolis, chemical composition of propolis, activity of propolis, and application of propolis in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine. More than 50 papers were submitted from which we have selected 41 which represent the rich and multifaceted knowledge. They cover a wide range of topics and are divided into review and research articles.
The research articles provide background and are the starting point for discussion of research trends in general terms. They deal with historical aspects of propolis research and focus on Professor Scheller’s pioneer studies on propolis that commenced in Poland in the early 1960s. It was Scheller and his team who developed a method of introducing ethanol extracts of propolis into aqueous solutions. They showed that propolis acts as antioxidant and radioprotector, stimulates regeneration of tissue, and has immunomodulatory properties. Another paper describes Scheller’s achievements in applying propolis in the treatment of burns, venous ulcerations, suppurative osteitis, and arthritis as well as postoperative wound complications.
Some authors describe advances in the studies on chemical composition of propolis as well as botanical sources resulting in its geographically conditioned diversity. In another paper the authors present developments in the analysis and pharmacological properties of propolis which are the starting point for preparation standardization using as an example Romanian propolis. Practical applications of propolis in medicinal therapy and cosmetics are also reviewed. A separate group of papers deals with prophylactic and medicinal properties of propolis preparations in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, oral diseases, and wound healing.
Most of the articles in this special issue are of research character. They present the results of a variety of studies comprising different propolis extracts and their fractions as well as chemical compounds isolated from them. The articles describe experimental studies, both in vitro and in vivo, and clinical studies.
One group of articles deals with anticancer properties of propolis. The effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human pancreatic cancer cells was investigated. The authors conclude that CAPE could inhibit the orthotopic growth and EMT of pancreatic cancer cells. The assessment of cytotoxic action of geopropolis produced by stingless bees on canine osteosarcoma cells showed that it was efficient against OSA cells in a dose- and time-dependent way. Bioactive fraction of geopropolis was also shown to decrease neutrophils migration in inflammatory process. Other authors showed that nymphaeol-A, the major component of Okinawan propolis, suppresses angiogenesis and that is why it may be a useful agent for preventing tumor-induced angiogenesis. In other studies, anticancer activity of the ethanol extract of Indian stingless bee propolis was explored by testing the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in four different cancer cell lines at different concentrations. It was demonstrated that antioxidant potential of Indian stingless bee propolis substantiates its anticancer activity.
Another group of articles deals with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity of propolis. Some researchers showed that Brazilian green propolis and Chinese (poplar type) propolis demonstrate anti-inflammatory property. Brazilian green propolis extract proved to be effective in regulating inflammasomes which are formed in the cell cystol in response to stress signals, toxins, and microbial infections. It also showed a direct action against parasite and displayed immunomodulatory effects on murine macrophages.
A separate group of articles deals with wound healing. Propolis proved effective in decreasing the amount of free radicals in burn wounds. Propolis burn treatment led to enhanced collagens and its components expression. Application of propolis ointment for topical treatment of nonhealing venous leg ulceration accelerated the healing process. Other studies demonstrated the ability of propolis phenolic acids and vanillin to penetrate into skin epidermis and dermis and thus to contribute to skin protection from free radicals formed under UV and premature skin aging. Also Brazilian green propolis which contains biocellulose membranes demonstrates antimicrobial activity and wound healing properties and as such is a promising biomaterial for skin wound healing. From another paper it is clear that propolis accelerates chondroitin/dermatan sulfates structure modification responsible for binding growth factors which play a crucial role in the tissue repair.
Use of propolis in dentistry is the topic of another group of articles. The exposure of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli isolated from saliva to ethanol extract of Polish propolis showed its antibacterial effect. Brazilian green propolis demonstrated a similar effect to miconazole in the treatment of Candida-associated denture stomatitis. A toothpaste containing propolis was found to be effective in improving oral health and treatment of gingivitis caused by dental plaque. A good effect on the health of oral cavity was also demonstrated when studying the application of toothpaste containing ethanol extract of Brazilian propolis. EEP had a positive influence on hygiene, gingival condition, and oral microflora in patients with cleft lip and palate treated with fixed orthodontic appliances.
Propolis was shown to have antidepressant-like properties, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxic activity, and protective effect against liver damage with cholestasis. Polyphenols that are contained in propolis possess immunomodulatory, chemopreventive, and antitumor effects. They exert their chemopreventive effect by multiple molecular mechanisms on apoptosis signaling pathways in cancer cells. EEP and polyphenols isolated from propolis have been shown to sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.
We envision that this special issue will arise more interest in propolis and more interesting investigations will be conducted.
Acknowledgments
The editors would like to express appreciation to the authors of this special issue for their contributions. Special thanks go to the reviewers for their evaluation of the manuscripts and all the critical comments which helped to improve the content of the submitted works.
Wojciech Król
Vassya Bankova
José Maurício Sforcin
Ewelina Szliszka
Zenon Czuba
Andrzej K. Kuropatnicki
Propolis - A Wonder Bees Product and Its Health Benefits
Propolis - A Wonder Bees Product and Its Health Benefits
HealthAid · December 13, 2018
WHAT IS PROPOLIS
Propolis is a resin-like substance bees make by mixing beeswax with sap from trees and a bit of their own saliva. It is used to seal the hive and protect hive against viruses, bacteria, fungus or parasites. Propolis is renowned worldwide for its wide ranging health benefits.
HISTORY
Propolis was commonly used as a traditional natural remedy since ancient times. Healing and regenerating properties of Propolis were identified by ancient Egyptian, Roman and Greek physicians. In Egypt propolis was used to treat various health problems and in the mummification process, while in Assyria and ancient Greece it was famous for its wound- and skin ulcer-healing properties. Propolis was used with great effectiveness for the treatment of injuries and wounds during Anglo-Boer battle or during WWII. It was used as an anti-bacterial agent in 17th and 20th century in Europe. In the history of China, Propolis was recognized as an anti-cancer medicine and was commonly used to treat various infections.
KEY ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
There are over 300 natural compounds found by now in Propolis, including antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, coumarins, phenolic aldehydes, natural steroids, polyphenols, or sequiterpene quinines. It also contains about 10 percent essential oils, 5 percent bee pollen and other various organic compounds including resins, vegetable balsam, and bee wax.
WOUND HEALING & REGENERATING
Modern medical research confirms propolis actually can speed up wound healing which is attributed to its ability to improve the regeneration of damaged tissue. According to a 2018 research article, reviewing the composition and functional properties of Propolis, “The presence of bioflavonoids, arginine, vitamin C, provitamin A, B complex along with some minerals possesses wound healing property and therefore enhances injury cure. Instead of individual component, there may be combined action, which leads propolis to have diverse biological performance.”
GASTROINTESTINAL ULCERS
Due to its regenerating and healing properties Propolis is often used internally by people with gastrointestinal ulcers. Belostotskii and his colleagues described the healing gastric effects after administration of honey, royal jelly, and propolis in rats. According to a 2016 research article, Propolis may be effective against Helicobacter pylori regarded as one of the most frequent triggers of peptic ulcers: “The nuisance of H. pylori resistance to antibiotics is on the increase, constituting a global public health problem… In conclusion, we think that regular consumption of propolis extract, which is rich in phenolic compounds, can contribute to a reduction in several forms of H. pylori-associated disease.”
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
Animal studies demonstrated that Propolis may be beneficial in ulcerative colitis (mainly due to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties), although clinical trials are required to proof the same efficacy and safety on human subjects.
IMMUNE BOOSTER & MODULATOR
Propolis helps maintain strong immune system also due to the fact that it is notable for its antioxidant properties. According to Vijay D. Wagh, “The antioxidants present in propolis play great role in its immunomodulatory properties. The flavonoids concentrated in propolis are powerful antioxidants.”
ANTIVIRAL
Due to its proven anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties Propolis can help prevent and shorten the duration of common respiratory diseases such as flu or cold. In one study a regular daily doses of propolis were given to a group of school children during the cold season. As a result the children treated with propolis had significantly fewer colds with acute or chronic symptoms.
According to the results of another trial, the group of adults on propolis extract became free of cold symptoms two and half times faster than the control group. It was reported that Propolis improves the cellular immune response by increasing mRNA for interferon-γ and activating the production of cytokines.
“INTELLIGENT” ANTIBIOTIC
It is also important to emphasise the fact that Propolis contains an “intelligent” antibiotic, which means that unlike synthetic antibiotics, which kill all bacteria, Propolis actually seems to destroy only the bad ones leaving the beneficial probiotic bacteria untouched.
There are hundreds of articles based on medical research dealing with the abilities of Propolis not only to kill cancer cells but also inhibit DNA synthesis in cancer cells and induce apoptosis (programmed death of abnormal cells). Two propolis polyphenols in particular (Caffeic acid & Artepillin C) seem to have most potent anticancer properties. For instance, a 2016 study demonstrated propolis extract was able to significantly extend the survival of animals with tumours. According to the summery of the same study, “It is evident that propolis extracts can be extremely useful in cancer treatment.”
CANDIDA ALBICANS OVERGROWTH
Medical research showed Propolis was able to fight pathogenic yeasts called Candida albicans, effectively reducing their number and contributing to prevention and recovery from various problems and symptoms associated with candida overgrowth. According to a scientific review published in 2011 in the Journal of Medicinal Food, Propolis proved to have stronger antifungal properties than honey, bee pollen or royal jelly, and it was effective against 40 different yeast strains, including Candida.
GLUTATHIONE BOOSTER & LIVER-PROTECTIVE
Liver-protective activity is another possible benefit of the internal use of Propolis, as it proved to be effective against mercury-induced oxidative stress in mice liver. According to the study, “Propolis inhibited lipid peroxidation and oxygenation of glutathione whereas increased glutathione level. Activity of antioxidants enzymes, that is, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, was also restored concomitantly toward control after propolis administration. Results suggest that Propolis augments the antioxidant defence against mercury-induced toxicity and provides evidence that it has therapeutic potential as hepatoprotective agent.”
GENITAL HERPES
According to a study published in Phytomedicine, Propolis can be more effective than a commonly used drug for treating genital herpes. 90 participants with genital herpes were divided into 3 groups and were on different treatments for 10 days. First group applied a propolis ointment, second used a herpes drug acyclovir, and the third group was applying a placebo ointment. All groups used ointments four times a day. At the end of the experiment, 14 out of 30 participants in the drug group, 24 out of 30 in the propolis group, and 12 out of 30 in the placebo group experienced recovery from genital herpes.
As expected, Propolis is also effective against common cold sores caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV).
PERIODONTITIS
A 2005 trial has demonstrated that Propolis may have significant antimicrobial activity in the treatment of periodontitis.
OTHER BENEFITS
It was also shown that Propolis can be effective in fighting intestinal parasites; it improves fertility of females with endometriosis; it has demonstrated antidiabetic activity; and promoted dental health (due to its antibacterial properties).
SIDE EFFECTS & SAFETY
Taken internally or applied to the skin Propolis seems to be safe except sometimes it may cause allergic reactions, particularly in individuals who are allergic to bees or bee products.
WARNINGS
- Do not use Propolis if you are allergic to bee products.
- There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking Propolis by pregnant or breast-feeding women.
- Although Propolis extract was studied and proved to be very beneficial in asthma management, yet in some asthmatics Propolis may make symptoms worse, probably due to possible allergic reaction.
- Since certain chemical in Propolis may slow blood clotting, it is not recommended to use it internally by people with bleeding disorders as well as before and after surgery as Propolis may possibly increase the risk of bleeding.
Written by Slawomir Gromadzki
REFERENCES
- 127 Abstracts with Bee Propolis Research:
- Sforcin JM. (2007) Propolis and the immune system: a review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Aug 15;113(1):1-14.
- Vijay D. Wagh (2013) Propolis: A Wonder Bees Product and Its Pharmacological Potentials. Adv Pharmacol Sci. 2013; 2013: 308249. Published online 2013 Dec 9. doi : 10.1155/2013/308249
- De Castro SL. (2001) Propolis: biological and pharmacological activities. Therapeutic uses of this bee-product. Annual Review of Biomedical Sciences. 2001;3:49–83.
- Bankova VS, De Castro SL, Marcucci MC. (2000) Propolis: recent advances in chemistry and plant origin. Apidologie. 2000;31(1):3–15.
- N. I. Belostotskiǐ, V. I. Kasianenko, E. A. Dubtsova, and L. B. Lazebnik, “Influence of honey, royal jelly and propolis on accelerating acetate healing of experimental gastric ulcers in rats,” Experimental and Clinical Gastroenterology, vol. 6, pp. 46–50, 2009. View at Google Scholar
- Nimet Baltas, Sengul Alpay Karaoglu, Cemre Tarakci & Sevgi Kolayli (2016) Effect of propolis in gastric disorders: inhibition studies on the growth of Helicobacter pylori and production of its urease. Pages 46-50 | Received 29 Mar 2016, Accepted 02 May 2016, Published online: 27 May 2016
- N Vynograd, I Vynograd, Z Sosnowski (2000) A comparative multi-centre study of the efficacy of propolis, acyclovir and placebo in the treatment of genital herpes (HSV). Phytomedicine. 2000 Mar;7(1):1-6. PMID: 10782483
- Syed Ishtiaq Anjuma, Amjad Ullaha, Khalid Ali Khan, et al (2018) Composition and functional properties of propolis (bee glue): A review. DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2018.08.013
- Magda Feres, Luciene Cristina Figueiredo, Ilizvania Maroly Quinderé Barreto, et al (2005) In vitro antimicrobial activity of plant extracts and propolis in saliva samples of healthy and periodontally-involved subjects. J Int Acad Periodontol. 2005 Jul;7(3):90-6. PMID: 16022025
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What Are The Benefits of Propolis?
Various products derived from the beehive have been studied and propolis has proved to be a product having beneficial results for human health.
Propolis (Pro-before, Polis-city = defense of the city), is the resinous substance that bees gather from the leaf buds of trees and certain vegetables.
The bee gathers this and transforms it in order to disinfect the beehive, seal cracks, build panels, as well as using it as a microbiocidal agent, disinfectant and also for embalming intruders otherwise difficult to expel due to their size.
If you want to learn more about propolis, click here to read Everything You Should Know About Bee Propolis (I Started Taking It Daily).
Propolis, thus, is directly responsible for guaranteeing the asepsis of the beehives, locations prone to developing viruses and bacteria, given their conditions of temperature and humidity.
Due to the great number of active ingredients present, tincture (alcoholic extract) of propolis is well known and used for its therapeutic properties, principally for its stimulant action on the organism’s defense system. Notable amongst its properties are its antioxidant and anti-microbial action, its activity as a stimulant and its healing, analgesic, anesthetic and anti-inflammatory activity.
To date, in the literature consulted, no antioxidant capacity values have been found greater than those obtained for propolis, for any of the products/foods analyzed, using this type of methodology.
Dr. Mercola’s comments:
Bees, by pollinating trees and crops, are true sustainers of life on earth. Without their tireless service, we simply would not be able to feed ourselves. At the same time, they also create a wide variety of other useful products, including:
The Many Uses of Bee Propolis
As described above, propolis extract has a number of well known therapeutic properties, including potent antioxidant and anti-microbial action, and healing, analgesic, anesthetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s been used for thousands of years in folk medicine.
bee propolis has been found to prevent the formation of dental plaque by inhibiting the activity of certain enzymes that synthesize glucans from sucrose. Propolis, along with other bee products, has also been studied for its potential to control tumor growth, with some success.
Uses of Propolis tincture
Propolis is a resin-like material from the buds of poplar and cone-bearing trees. Propolis is rarely available in its pure form. It is usually obtained from beehives and contains bee products.
Propolis has a long history of medicinal use, dating back to 350 B.C., the time of Aristotle. Greeks have used propolis for abscesses; Assyrians have used it for healing wounds and tumors; and Egyptians have used it for mummification. It still has many medicinal uses today, although its effectiveness has only been shown for a couple of them.
Propolis is used for canker sores and infections caused by bacteria (including tuberculosis), by viruses, by fungus, and by single-celled organisms called protozoans. Propolis is also used for cancer of the nose and throat; for boosting the immune system; and for treating gastrointestinal (GI) problems including Helicobacter pylori infection in peptic ulcer disease. Propolis is also used as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
People sometimes apply propolis directly to the skin for wound cleansing, genital herpes and cold sores; as a mouth rinse for speeding healing following oral surgery; and for the treatment of minor burns.
In manufacturing, propolis is used as an ingredient in cosmetics.
How does it work?
Propolis seems to have activity against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It might also have anti-inflammatory effects and help skin heal.
Did you know that honey isn’t the only thing that bees make? Bees also produce a compound called propolis from the sap on needle-leaved trees or evergreens. When they combine the sap with their own discharges and beeswax, they create a sticky, greenish-brown product that is used as a coating to build their hives. This is propolis.
Thousands of years ago, ancient civilizations used propolis for its medicinal properties. Greeks used it to treat abscesses. Assyrians put it on wounds and tumors to fight infection and help the healing process. Egyptians used it embalm mummies.
The composition of propolis can vary depending on the location of the bees and what trees and flowers they have access to. For example, propolis from Europe won’t have the same chemical makeup as propolis from Brazil. This can make it difficult for researchers to come to general conclusions about its health benefits.
Where to Get Propolis Today
One of the reasons behind propolis’ popularity is that it’s thought to have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Propolis has been suggested to have a role in treating certain cancers as well.
Today, propolis is an ingredient in many manufactured beauty and skin care products. The compound is still used for medical purposes, which include:
fighting infections
boosting the immune system
healing genital herpes and cold sores
treating skin injuries
helping the mouth heal after dental surgery
It can be purchased in pharmacies or health food stores. Topical forms include creams, ointments, and lotions. Propolis can also be taken orally and comes in tablet, liquid extract, and capsule form. Currently there is no medically recommended dose because more research is needed. Manufacturers may suggest a dose on the product label.
What the Research Says
Despite its many uses, scientific research on propolis is still limited. Researchers aren’t exactly sure how it works, but the bee product does appear to provide protection from some bacteria, viruses, and fungi. One study found that applying a propolis solution to wounds helped to speed healing in rats with diabetes. These findings are encouraging, but still need further research.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), propolis is “possibly effective” for treating cold sores, genital herpes outbreaks, and improving the healing process after mouth surgery.
Ointments that contain 3 percent propolis, such as Herstat or Coldsore-FX, may help speed healing time and reduce symptoms in both cold sores and sores from genital herpes. A recent study also suggests that propolis extracts might be a good treatment option for the herpes virus.
There is not yet enough evidence to determine whether or not propolis products are safe, but they’re not considered high-risk. People typically take in some propolis when they eat honey. However, if you have an allergy to honey or bees, you will also have a reaction to products containing propolis. Propolis may also cause its own allergic reaction when used for a long period of time. Talk to your doctor before adding propolis to your treatment plan, especially if you have existing allergies or asthma.
As modern medicine continues to study this ancient compound, more of its reported healing properties and uses may be proven effective.
Science Looks To Food
Growing concerns about health has caused the scientific community to focus their interest on investigating functional foods which contribute to boosting the prevention and reduction of the risk of suffering from certain illnesses. The benefits of this product lies in its composition and, thus, its study, identification and subsequent extraction provides a useful tool which enables making high added-value products, given their high concentration of biologically active compounds.
Over the past 5 years, Neiker-Tecnalia, in collaboration with the Fundación Kalitatea, apicultural associations in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, honey producing plants and Basque governmental bodies, has undertaken R+D projects associated with the beekeeping sector. Various products derived from the beehive have been studied and propolis has proved to be a product having beneficial results for human health.
Propolis (Pro-before, Polis-city = defense of the city), is the resinous substance that bees gather from the leaf buds of trees and certain vegetables. The bee gathers this and transforms it in order to disinfect the beehive, seal cracks, build panels, as well as using it as a microbiocidal agent, disinfectant and also for embalming intruders otherwise difficult to expel due to their size. Propolis is, thus, directly responsible for guaranteeing the asepsis of the beehives, locations prone to developing viruses and bacteria, given their conditions of temperature and humidity.
Although the precise composition of propolis depends on the zone of beehive activity (climate, surrounding vegetation, and so on), as a rough guide, we can mention the following: resins and balsams (50-60%), waxes (20-25%), essential oils (5-10%), pollen (5%), others (minerals, enzymes, etc. 5%).
The fraction of resins and balsams is the one that contains most of the biologically active compounds, mainly phenolic ones derived from the vegetable kingdom and having proven pharmacological abilities. Due to the great number of active ingredients present, tincture (alcoholic extract) of propolis is well-known and used for its therapeutic properties, principally for its stimulant action on the organism’s defense system. Notable amongst its properties are its antioxidant and anti-microbial action, its activity as a stimulant and its healing, analgesic, anesthetic and anti-inflammatory activity.
The study of the biological activity of this product was undertaken following two lines of work: (a) a study of the antioxidant activity and (b) a study of the anti-microbial action.
Antioxidant properties
The antioxidant activity trials provided knowledge about the capacity of the product under study (propolis) for neutralizing free radicals. These radicals represent damaged molecules, generated both in endogenous and exogenous ways, capable of causing damage at cell level, and causing the onset of future degenerative illnesses, such as cancer, Alzeheimer, and so on.
A diet rich in antioxidants minimizes the risk of the onset of this kind of illness, and so the evaluation of the antioxidant activity of a product when establishing its preventative potential is of great interest.
This type of trial involves the artificial generation of free radicals in the laboratory and which are subsequently made to react with the sample to which the antioxidant properties are attributed, in order to estimate their capacity for neutralization. To this end, three spectrophotometric techniques were applied.
Antimicrobial properties
The test for anti-microbial action enables the evaluation of the inhibition exercised on the growth of certain microorganisms by the product under study. The MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) methodology involved the diffusion of the substance under study in a medium in which the growth of the microorganisms is optimum. If the substance diffused has a capacity to impede the growth of the chosen microorganism, a halo will appear around the central point where the product has been deposited. Otherwise, the medium will remain unaltered.
To carry out this trial the strains were activated in an optimum medium containing the necessary nutrients for the growth/development of the microorganism. When growth reached the Macfarlane index, close to 0.5, agar was added and seeded in rectangular plaques. Once solidified, the plaques were drilled and, by means of templates, various concentrations of propolis (0.1-50%) were deposited.
All the concentrations were tested in triplicate. The plaques were incubated at 37 ºC and, after this, the presence/absence of the halos of inhibition was detected and which provided a visualized measurement of the inhibition exercised by the propolis on the growth of the microorganism used. These halos of inhibition were measured with calibers and the values obtained were extrapolated using as a template a plaque seeded with various concentrations of phenol (1-10%), which has a powerful biocide activity.
The MIC trials were undertaken with the following microorganisms:
Streptococcus mutans (dental caries)
Candida albicans (vaginal infections)
Salmonella tiphy (salmonellosis)
Helicobacter pylori (stomach ulcer)
Saccharomyces cerevisiae (opportunistic role in asepsis of Aids sufferers, leukemia…)
The microorganisms selected were bacteria, yeasts and fungi responsible for common and very heterogeneous complaints.
Antioxidant capacity
The antioxidant activity trials were carried out dissolving propolis in two types of solvent: 70% ethanol and propylenglycol.
The results coincided with what was expected, as this product has a high quantity of biologically active components, outstanding amongst these being the flavonoids (known for their high antioxidant power).
The flavonoids are in fact most responsible for all the medicinal properties attributable to propolis: antibacterial, antimitotic, antifungal, antiviral, antitubercular, cytostatic, anticleric, antioxidant, antitoxic, hypotensor, homeostatic, immunogenic and antiparasitical.
The prepared ethanol extracts showed a high inhibition of the radicals employed. The values were within the established ranges. Although there were significant differences between them, these may have been due to the location of the hives as well as the degree of impurities present in the same.
As can be seen from the results, there were small differences between the different extracts (ethanol and propylenglycol), although these were not significant. The values fluctuate and, in the case of propylenglycol, they were less, but this variation did not appear to affect the composition of the final product in any drastic manner.
To date, in the literature consulted, no antioxidant capacity values have been found greater than those obtained for propolis, for any of the products/foods analyzed, using this type of methodology.
Antimicrobial capacity
The development and growth of all these microorganisms studied were seen to be inhibited in the presence of different concentrations of propolis. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were produced at very low concentrations of the product, thus corroborating the high antimicrobial potential of the product. These results show that propolis is made up of compounds with high antimicrobiological activity, probably derived from its high content of phenolic, flavonoid compounds … originating from the vegetable kingdom.
English translation by: WORDLAN [email protected]; 615740862.
