Extraction, Antioxidant Capacity, 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibition, and Phytochemical Composition of Propolis from Eastern Canada

Abstract

Soxhlet (SE), microwave-assisted (MAE) and ultrasound-assisted (UAE) extraction were compared using ten extraction solvents for their efficiency to extract phenolic and flavonoid antioxidants from Eastern Canada propolis. Extracts were compared for total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) content, and radical scavenging activities. Anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) products biosynthesis in HEK293 cells was also evaluated. The results showed that SE extracts using polar solvents had the highest TPC and TFC. Extracts obtained with ethanol, methanol and acetone were effective free radical scavengers, and showed 5-LO inhibition similar to zileuton. UAE was an effective extraction method since the extracts obtained were comparable to those using SE and the MAE while being done at room temperature. With UAE, extracts of less polar solvents showed similar free radical scavenging and 5-LO inhibition to extracts of much more polar solvents such as methanol or ethanol. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of 21 natural compounds in the propolis extracts based on the comparison of intact mass, chromatographic retention time and fragmentation patterns derived from commercial analytical standards. The current study is the first of its kind to concurrently investigate solvent polarity as well as extraction techniques of propolis.

The Oral Wound Healing Potential of Thai Propolis Based on Its Antioxidant Activity and Stimulation of Oral Fibroblast Migration and Proliferation

“…Our results were consistent with previous studies [ 37 , 41 , 60 ]. However, our findings did not agree with other previous studies that demonstrated that polar solvents were better at extracting antioxidants from propolis and by extension improved the antioxidant properties compared with nonpolar solvents [ 15 , 61 ]. There are multiple reports on the antioxidant effects of propolis [ 7 , 62 , 63 ].…”

“…Solvent types and polarity impact the quality, quantity, and bioactivity of a natural product extract [ 14 ]. Furthermore, it was reported that the antioxidant capacity of propolis depended on the solvents used for extraction [ 15 ]. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the chemical profile and antioxidant activity based on the solvent extraction and the oral wound healing effect of Thai propolis.…”

Chemical Profiling, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activity of Saudi Propolis Collected by Arabian Honey Bee (Apis mellifera jemenitica) Colonies

“…It is estimated as the quantity of an antioxidant required to minimize the prior DPPH radicals concentration by fifty percent [ 51 ]. Our findings regarding phenolic and flavonoids are responsible for the antioxidant nature of propolis, whether it is taken from Apis bees or from non-Apis bees and are in concurrence with results of other researchers who have also concluded the same [ 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. Phenolics are credited as influential antioxidants that act as chain-breakers, whereas the scavenging ability of polyphenolics is attributed to the presence of a hydroxyl group in their structural composition.…”

Apis mellifera propolis enhances apoptosis and invasion inhibition in head and neck cancer cells

“…Most of the substances found in propolis were obtained in polar organic solvents, including ethanol, methanol, and ethyl acetate ( Sambou et al, 2020 ). Solvents, e.g .…”