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Aims:The chemical composition of ethanol extracts from a Brazilian (Et-Bra) and a Bulgarian (Et-Blg) propolis, and their activity against the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, several fungi and bacteria species were determined. Methods and Results: The chemical composition was determined by high temperature high resolution gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Microbiological activity was assayed in vitro against T. cruzi, Candida albicans, Sporothrix schenckii, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusions: Et-Bra and Et-Blg, although with totally distinct compositions, were active against T. cruzi and the three species of fungi. Et-Blg was more effective than Et-Bra against bacteria, particularly N. meningitidis and Strep. pneumoniae. Significance and Impact of the Study: Although with different classes of components, both propolis extracts showed microbicidal activity. For the bactericidal activity it was possible to establish a positive correlation with the high content of flavonoids of the Bulgarian extract.

Abstract. Propolis is a bee product, which has long been used in folk medicine for the management of different diseases. In this study we evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of a standard ethanolic extract of Bulgarian propolis (Et-Blg) in mice and its in vitro effect on airway smooth muscle. Et-Blg inhibited acetic acid-induced abdominal contortions with an ID 50 = 7.4 ± 0.7 mg × kg -1 . In the formalin test, the extract caused a significant reduction in pain in mice treated with 100 mg × kg -1 Et-Blg during the neurogenic phase and for the inflammatory phase with all doses of the extract, with an ID 50 = 2.5 ± 0.4 mg × kg -1 . Et-Blg inhibited also the capsaicin-induced ear edema in mice; however, this extract was ineffective when assessed in the tail-flick and hot-plate thermal assays. The analgesic effect of Et-Blg was associated with the inhibition of inflammatory responses and not to a simple irritation of nervous terminals. In vitro, this extract inhibited the contraction of trachea smooth muscle induced by histamine (IC 50 = 50 ± 5 mg × mL -1 ), capsaicin (IC 50 = 26.8 ± 3 m g × mL -1), 80 mM KCl (IC 50 = 27.8 ± 3 mg × mL -1 ), and carbachol (IC 50 = 54 ± 2 mg × mL -1 ).