Effect of the Solvent on Propolis Phenolic Profile and its Antifungal, Antioxidant, and In Vitro Cytoprotective Activity in Human Erythrocytes Under Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Propolis is a natural bee product with various beneficial biological effects. The health-promoting properties of propolis depend on its chemical composition, particularly the presence of phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between extraction solvent (acetone 100%, ethanol 70% and 96%) and the antifungal, antioxidant, and cytoprotective activity of the extracts obtained from propolis. Concentrations of flavonoids and phenolic acids in the propolis extracts were determined using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant potential of different extracts was assessed on the basis of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·) free-radical-scavenging activity, Fe3+-reducing power, and ferrous ion (Fe2+)-chelating activity assays. The ability of the extracts to protect human red blood cell membranes against free-radical-induced damage and their antifungal activity was also determined. The results showed that the concentration of flavonoids in the propolis extracts was dependent on the solvent used in the extraction process and pinocembrin, chrysin, galangin, and coumaric acid were the most abundant phenols. All extracts exhibited high antioxidant potential and significantly protected human erythrocytes against oxidative damage. On the other hand, the antifungal activity of the propolis extracts depended on the solvent used in extraction and the fungal strains tested. It needs to be stressed that, to the best of our knowledge, there is no study relating the effect of solvent used for extraction of Polish propolis to its phenolic profile, and its antifungal, antioxidant, and cytoprotective activity.

Propolis and Organosilanes as Innovative Hybrid Modifiers in Wood-Based Polymer Composites

“…globosum and Schizophyllum commune [ 56 , 57 , 58 ]. The extract of Polish propolis was effective against e.g., A. niger , A. versicolor , P. pinophilum and T.virens [ 59 , 60 ]. The results of mould resistance of treated wood veneers confirmed that silicon compounds were not effective against tested fungi.…”

Nonaqueous Polyethylene Glycol as a Safer Alternative to Ethanolic Propolis Extracts with Comparable Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity

“…All these compounds are antioxidants and have antimicrobial activity. Naturally, the amount of these markers in propolis extracts will depend, among others, on the extraction method [ 3 , 11 ].…”

Chrysin: Perspectives on Contemporary Status and Future Possibilities as Pro-Health Agent

“…Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) belongs to natural polyphenols, which are found among others in honey [20], propolis [21] and various medicinal plants and fruits (Table 1), such as bitter melon (Momordica charantia) [22] or the wild Himalayan pear (Pyrus pashia) [23]. In terms of chemical structure, chrysin belongs to the dihydroxyflavones, with the hydroxyl groups attached to the A aromatic ring (5-OH and 7-OH positions), the chemical formula C 15 H 10 O 4 and molar mass, 254.241 g•mol −1 .…”

“…Manuka honey 0.131 mg/100 g [20] Propolis extract Acetone: 14.62 mg g −1 70% EtOH: 18.64 mg g −1 96% EtOH: 11.41 mg g −1 [21] Diaphragma juglandis fructus Up to 40 µg g −1 [24] Hyphaene thebaica 0.083 mg g −1 [25] Chaetomium globosum 13% [29] Cytisus villosus 4 mg kg −1 [30] Because of the therapeutic properties of chrysin, research has been undertaken on its production in the hairy roots of plants, for example, Scutellaria bornmuelleri, obtained by genetic modification with the help of Agrobacterium rhizogenes [32]. The nutraceutical properties of plants rich in antiradical metabolites, including chrysin, encourage researchers to seek other methods of synthesis of such compounds, for example, using callus cell cultures obtained from different parts of the plants [33].…”