Antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of propolis of Plebeia droryana and Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae) from the Brazilian Cerrado biome

Abstract

Propolis is a complex bioactive mixture produced by bees, known to have different biological activities, especially in countries where there is a rich biodiversity of plant species. The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition and evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of Brazilian propolis from the species Plebeia droryana and Apis mellifera found in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. In the ethanolic extracts of P. droryana propolis (ExEP-P) and A. mellifera (ExEP-A) acids, phenolic compounds, terpenes and tocopherol were identified as major compounds. Both extracts presented antioxidant activity against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, the maximum activities being 500 μg/mL (ExEP-P) and 300 μg/mL (ExEP-A). However, only ExEP-A was able to inhibit lipid peroxidation induced by the oxidizing agent 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), which inhibited oxidative hemolysis and reduced the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in human erythrocytes for 4 h of incubation. The extracts also reduced the cell viability of the K562 erythroleukemia tumour line, with a predominance of necrotic death. Thus, it is concluded that the propolis produced by P. droryana and A. mellifera contain important compounds capable of minimizing the action of oxidizing substances in the organism and reducing the viability of erythroleukemia cells.

Chemical Composition Analysis and In Vitro Investigation of Cytotoxic and Antioxidative Activities of Iranian Propolis against Breast Cancer Cell Line, MCF‐7

“…Bonamigo et al. reported that the IC 50 values in DPPH method of Brazilian propolis ranged from 182.4 ± 58.9 μg/ml to 49.8 ± 4.99 μg/ml with a maximum activity of 94.6% at concentration of 300–500 μg/ml . Another study of Brazilian propolis varied from 86% to 90.7%, while the inhibition percentage in a propolis from Mexico was 64.8% .…”

Antioxidant Potential of Propolis, Bee Pollen, and Royal Jelly: Possible Medical Application

“…Propolis is used for sealing holes and cracks, smoothing the inner surface, and retaining internal temperature of the beehive as well as for preventing weathering (e.g., it is used for decreasing the size of the outlet opening during periods of cold weather) and invasion of predators [ 3 , 26 ]. Due to its antimicrobial activity, it also contributes to an aseptic internal environment and is used to cover (“mummify”— to prevent decay) the body of dead pests that have invaded the hives (e.g., shrews and mice), which are too big to be removed outside [ 19 ].…”

“…Antioxidant properties of propolis have been fully investigated and proven with the use of DPPH, ABTS + , FRAP, and ORAC methods [ 3 , 19 , 20 , 29 , 31 , 34 – 38 ]. In the same in vitro studies, the antioxidant capacity of propolis extracts was found to be similar to that of the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene or ascorbic acid [ 4 , 20 ].…”

“…To compounds without phenolic character being responsible for the antioxidant capacity of propolis (especially Brazilian one) belong amyrins [ 19 , 20 ]. α - and β -amyrins belong to triterpenoids of plant origin.…”

A New Type of Anatolian Propolis: Evaluation of Its Chemical Composition, Activity Profile and Botanical Origin

“…), bad weather conditions, and against fungus and bacteria contamination by covering the interior walls and mending the cracks formed on the hive . It is mainly a light to dark colored sticky material, made from plant exudates from buds, leaves and flowers, formed into its complex form by mandibular secretion . Propolis of different geographical and botanical origins may have completely different chemical compositions leading to different bioactivity profiles .…”