Effect of red propolis extract isolated or encapsulated in nanoparticles on the in vitro culture of sheep preantral follicle: Impacts on antrum formation, mitochondrial activity and glutathione levels

Abstract

Contents This study aimed to characterize the hydroethanolic extract of red propolis (HERP) and nanoparticles containing HERP for using as an additive in the culture medium of isolated ovine preantral follicles. HERP was characterized by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and determination of flavonoid content, and the nanoparticles by the mean particle diameter, polydispersity index (PI) and encapsulation efficiency (EE). The effect of HERP (10 and 20 ηg/ml—HERP10 and HERP20 groups) and nanoparticles (NP10 and NP20 groups) on isolated secondary follicles cultured in vitro for 12 days was observed by morphological evaluation, oxidative stress markers (reactive oxygen species—ROS and glutathione—GSH) and active mitochondria. HPLC showed formononetin as the major compound in the HERP (63.92 ± 0.21 μg/mL). The content of flavonoids ranged from 2.14% to 11.00%. The nanoparticles showed mean diameter of 287.5 ± 3.9 and 479 ± 18.1 ηm; PI of 0.117 ± 0.018 and 0.316 ± 0.039; and EE of 67.15% and 41%, respectively, for the NP10 and NP20 groups. After 12 days of culture, HERP20 and NP20 increased (p < 0.05) the percentage of normal follicles compared to NP10. HERP20 showed significantly higher percentages of antrum formation than control medium (MEM) and NP10 (p < 0.05). HERP20 also showed an increase (p < 0.05) in mitochondrial activity compared to the other treatments, except NP20 (p > 0.05), and increased GSH levels (p < 0.05) compared to MEM and HERP10. In conclusion, use of HERP (20 ηg/ml) on in vitro culture of isolated ovine preantral follicles can increase antrum formation, mitochondrial activity and GSH levels.

Comparative evaluation of propolis nanostructured lipid carriers and its crude extract for antioxidants, antimicrobial activity, and skin regeneration potential

“…The propolis extract was prepared according to a previously reported protocol [ 14 ], where 120 g of propolis powder in 1380 mL ethanol 70% was sonicated for three hours at room temperature (Fig. 1 ).…”

Propolis induces cardiac metabolism changes in 6-hydroxydopamine animal model: A dietary intervention as a potential cardioprotective approach in Parkinson’s disease

“…Scenarios associated with enhanced 2-hydroxybutyric acid release may be associated with increased liver glutathione synthesis from methionine as necessary for detoxification functions, suggesting the beneficial cardiac effects of propolis in parkinsonian rats treated with this bee-derived product. Research has shown that propolis protects cell plasma membrane and attenuates the effects of oxidative stress ( Nascimento et al, 2018 ; Laaroussi et al, 2021 ; Nna et al, 2021 ). The animals in the 6-OHDA group showed a decrease in the concentration of 2-hydroxybutyric acid in the heart and studies performed in autopsies of humans with PD and in animal models of the disease described a decrease in glutathione content and/or activity as a common finding in PD ( Aoyama and Nakaki, 2012 ; Mazzetti et al, 2015 ; Dwivedi et al, 2020 ; Aoyama et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Scenarios associated with enhanced 2hydroxybutyric acid release may be associated with increased liver glutathione synthesis from methionine as necessary for detoxification functions, suggesting the beneficial cardiac effects of propolis in parkinsonian rats treated with this beederived product. Research has shown that propolis protects cell plasma membrane and attenuates the effects of oxidative stress (Nascimento et al, 2018;Laaroussi et al, 2021;Nna et al, 2021).…”

Benefits and challenges of nanomaterials in assisted reproductive technologies

“…Nanoparticles synthesized with plant extracts have successfully been used in culture systems for preantral follicles. Nascimento et al (2019) reported that nanoparticles functionalized with hydroethanolic extract of red propolis increased glutathione (GSH) levels, mitochondrial activity, and antrum formation in ovine preantral follicles cultured in vitro . GSH is a tripeptide formed by amino acids cysteine, glycine, and glutamine, which plays an important role in combating oxidative stress (Adeoye et al, 2018).…”

“…| EFFECTS OF NANOPARTICLES ON IN VITRO CULTURED PREANTRAL FOLLICLESNanoparticles synthesized with plant extracts have successfully been used in culture systems for preantral follicles Nascimento et al (2019). reported that nanoparticles functionalized with hydroethanolic extract of red propolis increased glutathione (GSH) levels, mitochondrial activity, and antrum formation in ovine preantral follicles cultured in vitro.…”