Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity of Pollen Extract Collected by Scaptotrigona affinis postica: in silico, in vitro, and in vivo Studies

Abstract

Bees are of great importance for plant diversity for being an important pollinating agents. Stingless bees such as Scaptotrigona affinis postica, is cultivated largely due to the products offered by it. Pollen is one of these products, which has been highlighted for exhibit various therapeutic properties. Considering the bioactivity of this natural product, this study investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive activities, and elucidated the chemical composition of pollen collected extract by Scaptotrigona affinis postica. Using in vitro assays, the antioxidant potential and inhibitory activity against the COX enzyme from pollen extract was evaluated. Additionally, tests were performed to measure the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in animal models. In our results, we found that pollen extract showed antioxidant effects and inhibitory activity against the COX enzyme. The in vivo assays showed that the extract acts on the nervous system in local and systemic levels and that the anti-inflammatory activity is due the prostanoids reducing. Chemical analyses recognize 10 molecules in the extract belonging to the polyphenol and flavonoids classes and the computational study suggests that is responsible for the observed results. Thus, it is reported for the first time the biological potential of S. aff. postica pollen extract and we conclude that this bee product can be considered as one source of potential new drugs.

Antioxidant, Nutraceutical Properties, and Fluorescence Spectral Profiles of Bee Pollen Samples from Different Botanical Origins

“…Honey bees ( Apis Mellifera ) harvest the pollen from plant flowers and enrich it with salivary enzymes and nectar [ 1 ] to obtain small granular-looking grains (bee pollen) that are transported into the apiary. Bee pollen is abundant and essential nourishment that could satisfy the protein needs of the entire colony [ 2 , 3 ]. A single pollen bead has a color that is due to its specific botanical origin.…”

Stingless Bee-Collected Pollen (Bee Bread): Chemical and Microbiology Properties and Health Benefits

“…Therefore, it has been explored for its ability to remove free radicals. Its antioxidant activity using in vitro study has been documented in Malaysia [ 79 , 99 , 113 ], Brazil [ 47 , 105 , 106 ], Venezuela [ 9 , 84 ], and Australia [ 100 ].…”

Antioxidant-Based Medicinal Properties of Stingless Bee Products: Recent Progress and Future Directions

“…Barbara et al reported desirable nutritional properties for bee pollen extracts collected from stingless bees [ 130 ]. These extracts were reported to contain polyphenols, flavonoids and fatty acids, suggesting the antioxidant potential of stingless bee pollen [ 126 , 130 ]. These findings have been supported by a recent study on eight stingless bee pollen samples from different regions in the Philippines [ 127 ].…”

“…Another study has shown stingless bee pollen extracts have anti-inflammatory effects by reducing mouse footpad edema and also decreasing evidence of a pain (antinociceptive) response following administration of acetic acid [ 130 ]. A recent study suggested that the anti-inflammatory effect of stingless bee pollen results from its antioxidant activity that inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX), which promotes inflammation by producing prostaglandins [ 126 ]. Furthermore, a study to detect the synergistic effect of stingless bee pollen extracts with cisplatin (a chemotherapeutic drug) on breast cancer cells showed antioxidant and antiproliferative effects of bee pollen against the cancer cells [ 129 ].…”