Chemical Profile and Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Antimutagenic and Antimicrobial Activities of Geopropolis from the Stingless Bee Melipona orbignyi

Abstract

Geopropolis is a resin mixed with mud, produced only by stingless bees. Despite being popularly known for its medicinal properties, few scientific studies have proven its biological activities. In this context, the objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and antimicrobial activities of the Melipona orbignyi geopropolis. The hydroalcoholic extract of geopropolis (HEGP) was prepared and its chemical composition determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). The antioxidant activity was determined by the capture of free radicals and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by the inhibition of the hyaluronidase enzyme and the antimutagenic action was investigated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae colonies. The antimicrobial activities were determined against bacteria and yeasts, isolated from reference strains and hospital origin. The chemical composition of HEGP included flavonoids, derivatives of glycosylated phenolic acids and terpenoids. HEGP showed high antioxidant activity, it inhibited the activity of the inflammatory enzyme hyaluronidase and reduced the mutagenic effects in S. cerevisiae. In relation to the antimicrobial activity, it promoted the death of all microorganisms evaluated. In conclusion, this study reveals for the first time the chemical composition of the HEGP of M. orbignyi and demonstrates its pharmacological properties.

Characterisation of phenolic compounds by UPLC‐QTOF‐MS/MS of geopropolis from the stingless bee Melipona subnitida (jandaíra)

“…Compounds of the acyl‐(cinnamoyl/coumaroyl)‐hexosides and acyl‐(cinnamoyl/coumaroyl)‐galloyl‐hexosides type have already been identified in geopropolis collected from M. orbignyi bees . To the best of our knowledge, 38 (1,6‐di‐ O ‐( E )‐coumaroyl‐2‐ O ‐galloyl‐ β ‐ d ‐glucopyranoside) and 48 (1‐ O ‐( E )‐coumaroyl‐6‐ O ‐( E )‐cinnamoyl‐2‐ O ‐galloyl‐β‐ d ‐glucopyranoside) are new compounds.…”

“…The geopropolis samples (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)200.0 g) were extracted with ethanol in an ultrasound bath. The extract was filtered and concentrated using a rotary evaporator to provide the ethanolic extract (2.0-10.0 g).…”

“…Geopropolis from Scaptotrigona postica presents flavonoids and pyrrolizidine alkaloid . The chemical composition of geopropolis collected from M. orbignyi included flavonoids, derivatives of glycosylated phenolic acids and terpenoids . The therapeutic properties of the geopropolis produced by different species of stingless bees have been described.…”

“…8 The chemical composition of geopropolis collected from M. orbignyi included flavonoids, derivatives of glycosylated phenolic acids and terpenoids. 9 The therapeutic properties of the geopropolis produced by different species of stingless bees have been described. The activities of geopropolis collected from the following species were related: from M. scutellaris, which presented gastroprotective 10 and antimicrobial 11 activities; M. fasciculata, which presented gastroprotective, 10 antioxidant, 7,11 antimicrobial, 12 and anticancer 13 activities; M. orbignyi, which presented antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities; 9 M. scutellaris, which presented anti-inflammatory activities; 14,15 and Scaptotrigona postica, which presented antiviral activities.…”

“…9 The therapeutic properties of the geopropolis produced by different species of stingless bees have been described. The activities of geopropolis collected from the following species were related: from M. scutellaris, which presented gastroprotective 10 and antimicrobial 11 activities; M. fasciculata, which presented gastroprotective, 10 antioxidant, 7,11 antimicrobial, 12 and anticancer 13 activities; M. orbignyi, which presented antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities; 9 M. scutellaris, which presented anti-inflammatory activities; 14,15 and Scaptotrigona postica, which presented antiviral activities. 8 Studies investigating the geopropolis produced by M. subnitida collected in the state of Paraiba, north-eastern Brazil, have shown potential antioxidant and antinociceptive activities 16 leading to the isolation and characterisation of phenylpropanoids…”