Primon de Barros^, M; Lemos, M; Maistro, E L; Leite, M L; Sousa, J P B; Bastos, J K; Faloni de Andrade, S (2008) Evaluation of antiulcer activity of the main phenolic acids found in Brazilian Green Propolis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 120 (3) 372-377. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2008.09.015   

In a previous study, our group described the gastric protective effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian green propolis. The main compounds found in Brazilian green propolis include phenolic acids, such as: caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids. This study was therefore carried out to evaluate the antiulcerogenic property of the main phenolic acids found in Brazilian Green Propolis.
Material and methods: The anti-ulcer assays were performed using the following protocols: nonsteroidal-antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced ulcer, ethanol-induced ulcer, and stress-induced ulcer. The effects of the phenolic acids on gastric content volume, pH and total acidity, using the pylorus ligated model, were also evaluated.
Results: It was observed that treatment using doses of 50 and 250 mg/kg of caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids and positive controls (omeprazol or cimetidine) significantly diminished the lesion index, the total area of the lesion and the percentage of lesion in comparison with the negative control groups. In addition, the percentage of ulcer inhibition was significantly higher in the groups treated with the different phenolic acids, cimetidine or omeprazol, in all the protocols used, compared with the negative control groups. In the model to determine gastric secretion, using ligated pylorus, treatment with phenolic acids and cimetidine reduced the volume of gastric juice and total acidity and significantly increased the gastric pH (p < 0.05), compared with the control group, with the exception of the group treated with 50 mg/kg of p-coumaric acid, in which no significant difference was observed, compared with the control. In relation to the acute toxicity, none sign of toxicity was observed when phenolic acids, used in this study, were administered for rats in dose of 2000 mg/kg.
In conclusion, the results of this study show that caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric and cinnamic acids display antiulcer activity.

Keywords: Caffeic acid/ Ferulic acid/ p-Coumaric acid/ Cinnamic acid/ Antiulcer

Qikang, Z., Jingjing, Z., Zhenhong, W., Zhongmin, F. and Xiaoqing, M. (2003) [Study on the anti-tumour effect of 'Shen Feng' J9311 propolis capsule]. Apiculture of China, 54(5), 4-6.

                For S180 tumours, a dose of 0.6-4.8 g propolis/kg was found to be effective for inhibition; for H22 tumours, rate of inhibition was quite similar at doses of 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 g/kg. Accession date: 21 January 2004. Call number: 638.178. Library code: Bj. Language: Ch, en. Author. Author address: Apitherapy Inst., Fujian Agriculture and Forestry Univ., Fujian, China. Apicultural Abstracts from IBRA: AA914/04

propolis/tumours/medicinal properties.

Russo, A., Longo, R. and Vanella, A. (2002) Antioxidant activity of propolis: role of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and galangin. Fitoterapia, 73(Supplement 1), S21-S29. doi:10.1016/S0367-326X(02)00187-9   

                Propolis extract (with and without CAPE) and its active components showed a dose-dependent free radical scavenging effect, a significant inhibition of xanthine oxidase activity, and an antilipoperoxidative activity. Propolis extract with CAPE was more active than propolis extract without CAPE. CAPE, used alone, exhibited a strong antioxidant activity, higher than that of galangin. Accession date: 14 July 2003. Call number: 638.178. Library code: wf. Language: En. Author address: Dept of Biochemistry, Medical Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Univ. of Catania, V.le A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy. Apicultural Abstracts from IBRA: AA1176/03

propolis/composition/caffeic acid phenethyl ester/free radicals/antioxidant properties.

Santos, F. A., Bastos, E. M. A., Uzeda, M., Carvalho, M. A. R., Farias, L. M., Moreira, E. S. A. and Braga, F. C. (2002) Antibacterial activity of Brazilian propolis and fractions against oral anaerobic bacteria. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 80(1), 1-7.

                Accession date: 15 May 2003. Call number: 638.178. Library code: X. Language: En. Author address: Departamento de Microbiologia, Laboratório de Biologia de Microrganismos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Caixa Postal 486, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP 31270 901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Apicultural Abstracts from IBRA: AA1177/03

propolis/antibacterial properties/dentistry.

Sawaya, A. C. H. F., Palma, A. M., Caetano, F. M., Marcucci, M. C., Cunha, I. B. d. S., Araujo, C. E. P. and Shimizu, M. T. (2002) Comparative study of in vitro methods used to analyse the activity of propolis extracts with different compositions against species of Candida. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 35(3), 203-207.

                Ethanol extracts of propolis were analyed by chromatographic methods. Several microbiological methods were compared to determine which one best evaluated the activity of the extracts against species of Candida, with average MIC values between 6 and 12 mg/m. Agar dilution in plates gave the clearest results, and these agreed with the chromatographic analyses, which also identified the active substances. Accession date: 29 July 2003. Call number: 638.178. Library code: X. Language: En. Author address: Centro de Ciências Biolóagicas e da Saúde, Universidade São Francisco, Av São Francisco de Assis, 218, Bragança Paulista, CEP 12916-390, SP, Brazil. Apicultural Abstracts from IBRA: AA592/04

propolis/analytical methods/antibacterial properties/Candida.

Sawaya, A C H F; Calado, J C P; Cavalcanti dos Santos, L; Marcucci, M C; Akatsu, I P; Soares, A E E;  Abdelnur, P V;  Barbosa da Silva Cunha, I; Eberlin, M N (2009) Composition and antioxidant activity of propolis from three species of Scaptotrigona stingless bees. Journal of ApiProduct  & ApiMedical Science, Vol 1 (2) 37-42. DOI: 10.3896/IBRA.4.01.2.03

Propolis is a resinous substance collected by bees from various plant sources; therefore, its composition depends on the season, the species of bee, vegetation and the area of collection. This study compared samples of propolis collected monthly from three species of Scaptotrigona bees from two distinct regions in Brazil. Ethanol extracts of the propolis samples were prepared and evaluated for their antioxidant activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging method (DPPH). The composition of the extracts was evaluated by Electrospray Ionization - Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) fingerprinting and the results were compared by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Differences in the composition of samples from different species were observed as well as monthly variations within each species. Antioxidant activity also varied monthly for each species, with the highest activity (lowest ED₅₀ results) observed in the spring.  Seasonality and geographic origin affected the composition and antioxidant activity of Scaptotrigona bee propolis.

Keywords: antioxidant activity/ propolis/ native Brazilian stingless bees/ ESI-MS fingerprinting

Serra Bonvehí, J. and Ventura Coll, F. (2000) Study on propolis quality from China and Uruguay. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung. Section C, Biosciences, 55(9/10), 778-784.

                The composition, bacteriostatic and free-radical-scavenging activities of 15 propolis samples from various botanic and geographic origins were determined. Variance analysis showed significant differences in the contents of polyphenols, flavonoids and active components of fresh and aged propolis. The state of the product (fresh or aged) could be differentiated by using flavonoid pattern and biological activities. For fresh propolis, a minimum concentration of 80 g/ml was required to inhibit Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus and 800 g/ml to inhibit Escherichia coli. For aged propolis, minimum concentrations were 100 g/ml and 1000 g/ml, respectively. A minimum flavonoid content of 18 g/100 g and a maximum free-radical-scavenging activity of 4.3 g/ml were determined in fresh propolis. In aged propolis, flavonoid levels were approximately 20% lower than in fresh propolis. Accession date: 3 December 2001. Call number: 638.178. Library code: 35 wf. Language: En. Author address: Agricultural and Food Lab., Generalitat of Catalonia, E-08348 Cabrils, Barcelona, Spain. Apicultural Abstracts from IBRA: AA860/02

propolis/composition/antibacterial properties/flavonoids/free radicals/antioxidants/China/Uruguay/medicinal properties.

 Sforcin, J M (2007) Propolis and the immune system; A review. Journal of Ethnopharmocology DOI:doi:10.1016/j.jep.2007.05.012    

Propolis has been used empirically for centuries and it was always mentioned as an immunomodulatory agent. In recent years, in vitro and in vivo assays provided new information concerning its mechanisms of action, thus a review dealing with propolis and the immune system became imperative. This review compiles data from our laboratory as well as from other researchers, focusing on its chemical composition and botanical sources, the seasonal effect on its composition and biological properties, its immunomodulatory and antitumor properties, considering its effects on antibody production and on different cells of the immune system, involving the innate and adaptive immune response. In vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated the modulatory action of propolis on murine peritoneal macrophages, increasing their microbicidal activity. Its stimulant action on the lytic activity of natural killer cells against tumor cells, and on antibody production was demonstrated. Propolis inhibitory effects on lymphoproliferation may be associated to its anti-inflammatory property. In immunological assays, the best results were observed when propolis was administered over a short-term to animals. Propolis antitumor property and its anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic potential are discussed. Since humans have used propolis for different purposes and propolis-containing products have been marketed, the knowledge of its properties with scientific basis is not only of academic interest but also of those who use propolis as well. This review opens a new perspective on the investigation of propolis biological properties, mainly with respect to the immune system.

Propolis/ Immune system/ Antitumor property

Trusheva, B; Trunkova, D; Bankova, V (2007) Different extraction methods of biologically active components from propolis: a preliminary study.  Chemistry Central Journal. 1 (13) 
DOI:10.1186/1752-153X-1-13

Propolis is widely used in apitherapy, preparations, and food and beverage additives. Various extraction techniques were applied in the extraction of the biologically active constituents of poplar type propolis in order to compare their efficiency. The methods employed were: traditional maceration extraction, ultrasound extraction (UE), and microwave assisted extraction (MAE).
The results showed that the total amounts of extracted phenolics and flavonoids were determined, and the effectiveness of the methods compared. MAE was very rapid but led to the extraction of a large amount of non-phenolic and non-flavonoid material. UE gave the highest percentage of extracted phenolics.
Compared to the maceration extraction, MAE and UE methods provided high extraction yield, requiring short timeframes and less labour. UE was shown to be the most efficient method based on yield, extraction time and selectivity.