No abstract

Propolis has been the subject of several recent studies, with the aim of elucidating its biological and pharmacological properties. Propolis has a well-known antimicrobial activity as well as antioxidant, antitumoral, antiinflammatory, and regenerative properties, but literature about its effects on the immune response is scarce. The goal of this work was to evaluate the propolis effect on macrophage activation by oxygen (H2O2) and nitrogen (NO) metabolite determination. Propolis was produced by africanized honeybees and hydroalcoholic solutions were prepared at different concentrations. Peritoneal macrophages were obtained from male BALB/c mice and culture cells were stimulated in vitro with propolis or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In the in vivo assay, the animals were sacrificed after propolis treatment and cells were stimulated with IFN-gamma. We also investigated the co-stimulant action of propolis associated with IFN-gamma on macrophages. The results show that propolis induces a discreet elevation in H2O2 release and a mild inhibition of NO generation, depending on concentration. Propolis had no co-stimulant activity, diminishing IFN-gamma action on H2O2 and NO production. Data suggest that propolis acts on host non-specific immunity by macrophage activation

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Recently, propolis has been attracting the attention of researchers due to various biological activities and therapeutic properties. In Brazil, propolis is produced all year long, so there may be some seasonal variations. This work was carried out in order to compare propolis collected during the four seasons by its in vitro antimicrobial activity on yeast pathogens isolated from human infections. Propolis was produced by africanized honeybees in Botucatu, São Paulo State, collected throughout a year and pooled by season. Hydroalcoholic solutions of propolis were prepared with each pool and diluted in agar, using serial concentrations of propolis from each pool. A determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed. The results show that Candida tropicalis and Candida albicans were susceptible to low concentrations of propolis, the latter showing a higher susceptibility. No differences were seen in relation to seasonal effects in the minimal inhibitory concentration of propolis

ABSTRACT:The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of propolis samples from Goiás, Paraná and São Paulo States, Brazil, and their flavonoids content. Ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) were prepared (30g of propolis in 70% ethanol), and the microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were tested. The methodology employed was agar diffusion using filter paper discs. Ampicillin and tetracycline were used as controls.

No abstract

Propolis, a beehive product widely used in folk medicine as an antiinflammatory agent, has been attracting researchers' attention to scientifically elucidate its biological properties and therapeutic activities. The aim of this paper was to study the possible effect of propolis on natural killer activity, since propolis immunomodulatory action has been suggested, especially on non-specific immunity. Propolis was produced by africanized honeybees (Apis mellifera L.), collected throughout a whole year, and pooled by season. Hydroalcoholic solutions of propolis were prepared with each pool and administered to rats by gavage over three days. Natural killer activity of non-adherent spleen cells was evaluated by the 51Cr-release cytotoxicity assay against Yac-1 target cells. Our results indicated that the natural killer activity was increased in spleen cells from propolis-treated animals. There were no significant differences related to the seasonal effect on the immunomodulatory action of propolis

The goal of this work was to investigate a possible synergistic effect between ethanolic extracts of propolis from Brazil and Bulgaria and some antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Ampicillin and Cefalexin) against Salmonella Typhi. Brazilian and Bulgarian propolis showed an antibacterial action, but the sample from Bulgaria was shown to be more efficient. Both samples showed a similar synergistic effect with these antibiotics. One may conclude that the propolis samples show an important antibacterial action, as well as a synergistic effect with antibiotics against Salmonella Typhi.