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PubMed2001

The significance of fragrance mix, balsam of Peru, colophony and propolis as screening tools in the detection of fragrance allergy.

BACKGROUND: Patch testing to fragrances is an important step in the diagnosis of fragrance allergy. OBJECTIVES: To determine the usefulness of adding propolis to the European standard series to test for fragrance allergy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 2660 consecutive patients were patch tested with a standard patch test series; 747 suspected of fragrance allergy were tested further with a special fragrance series. RESULTS: The positive results to the standard series in 2660 patients were: fragrance mix 243 (9.1%), Myroxylon Pereirae [balsam of Peru] 144 (5.4%), colophony 32 (1.2%); these fragrance mixtures are used as screening substances for fragrance allergy in the European standard series. Propolis, also known as bee's glue, was also an important allergen in this locally revised standard series (n = 35, 1.3%). Positive reactions to the aforementioned allergens were associated significantly among each other (P < 0.01, chi2-test) and did not differ between the sexes. The primary locations of dermatitis in patients with a positive test to one or more fragrance allergens (n = 162) among those suspected of fragrance allergy (n = 747) were: face 46.9%, hands 23.5%, neck 17.9%, axillae 12.3%; 92 of the 747 patients suspected of fragrance allergy had positive skin tests to the special fragrance series comprising the eight constituents of the fragrance mix (most frequent: isoeugenol 5.4%, oakmoss absolute 5.0%, eugenol 2.5%) and 14 other fragrance allergens (most frequent: clove oil 1.6%, lemon grass oil 0.8%, cedar wood oil 0.7%). The additional value of propolis as another screening substance for fragrance allergy in these patients was low. The likelihood of a reaction to one or more of the extra fragrance allergens increased with the number of reactions to fragrance screening allergens in the standard series. CONCLUSIONS: The number of positive reactions to fragrance screening allergens in a standard patch test series may be used as a rule of thumb for predicting a positive outcome of a more detailed testing to fragrances. Propolis is an important allergen in its own right but its value as a screening substance for fragrance allergy is limited.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

In vitro activity of propolis against Streptococcus pyogenes.

Propolis, a multifunctional substance used by bees to maintain the safety of their hives, is popular for its therapeutic potential against some micro-organisms. Ethanolic extracts of two propolis specimens, collected from different areas within a region in the north-west of Italy, were examined to evaluate their antimicrobial activity against 46 Streptococcus pyogenes strains. By both agar dilution and agar diffusion methods, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were </= 234 microg ml-1, corresponding to a one in 512 dilution of the 12% (w/v) extracts. One of the two propolis samples was more active and this extract was shown to be richer in the flavonoids pinocembrin and galangin using HPLC. Therefore, with a simple microbiological assay technique, in particular the agar dilution method, it was possible to standardize the analysis of propolis samples to identify the quality parameters of this natural product before use for medical treatment.

Child↗

PubMed1999

The effect of propolis exposure on microhardness of human enamel in vitro.

Propolis is a resinous wax-like material that is used by bees as a glue-like matrix in their hives. The in vitro effect of propolis solutions was investigated on the microhardness of human dental enamel. The calcium concentration of the solution was 7.8 ppm, the pH values varied between 5 and 6. The fluoride concentration was negligible. The Vickers hardness number of exposed enamel showed a steady increase with the percentage of propolis in the solution. The microhardness increase may be attributed to particular components of mineralization activity in propolis.

Calcium↗

PubMed2002

Comparative study of in vitro methods used to analyse the activity of propolis extracts with different compositions against species of Candida.

AIMS: Propolis is known for its activity against micro-organisms and different in vitro assays have been used to evaluate this activity, frequently with contradictory results. METHODS AND RESULTS: Brazilian propolis from the state of São Paulo was extracted by maceration using different concentrations of ethanol and water. The resultant extracts were analysed by chromatographic methods. Several microbiological methods were compared to determine which one best evaluated the activity of the propolis extracts against species of Candida, with average minimal inhibitory concentration values between 6 and 12 mg ml(-1). CONCLUSIONS: Agar dilution in plates showed the clearest results. These were in agreement with the chromatographic analyses, which also identified the active substances. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Although the active substances identified in this sample are typical of Brazilian propolis, their activity against Candida had not been recognized previously, demonstrating the importance of standardizing the correct combination of microbiological and chromatographic analyses.

Antifungal Agents↗

PubMed2003

A clinical pharmacological study of the potential beneficial effects of a propolis food product as an adjuvant in asthmatic patients.

The aqueous extract of propolis has been formulated as a nutritional food product and administered, as an adjuvant to therapy, to patients with mild to moderate asthma daily for 2 months in the framework of a comparative clinical study in parallel with a placebo preparation. The diagnosis of asthma was made according to the criteria of patient classification of the National Institutes of Health and Global Initiative for Asthma Management. At inclusion, the pulmonary forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) as a percentage of the forced vital capacity (FVC) was more than 80% in mild persistent cases, and between 60 and 80% in moderate persistent cases, showing an increase in the degree of reversibility of > 15% in FEV1. All patients were on oral theophylline as controller therapy, none was receiving oral or inhaled corticosteroids, none had other comorbidities necessitating medical treatment, and all were from a middle-class community and had suffered from asthma for the last 2-5 years. Twenty-four patients received the placebo, with one drop-out during the study, while 22 received the propolis extract, with no drop-outs. The age range of the patients was 19-52 years; 36 were male and 10 female. The number of nocturnal attacks was recorded on a weekly basis, while pulmonary function tests were performed on all patients at the beginning of the trial, 1 month later and at the termination of the trial. Immunological parameters, including various cytokines and eicosanoids known to play a role in asthma, were measured in all patients at the beginning of the trial and 2 months later. Analysis of the results at the end of the clinical study revealed that patients receiving propolis showed a marked reduction in the incidence and severity of nocturnal attacks and improvement of ventilatory functions. The number of nocturnal attacks dropped from an average of 2.5 attacks per week to only 1. The improvement in pulmonary functions was manifested as a nearly 19% increase in FVC, a 29.5% increase in FEV1, a 30% increase in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and a 41% increase in the forced expiratory flow rate between 25 and 75% of the vital capacity (FEF25-75). The clinical improvement was associated with decreases by 52, 65, 44 and 30%, respectively, of initial values for the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, ICAM-1, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, and a 3-fold increase in the 'protective' cytokine IL-10. The levels of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha and leukotriene D4 were decreased significantly to 36, 39, and 28%, respectively, of initial values. Patients on the placebo preparation showed no significant improvement in ventilatory functions or in the levels of mediators. The findings suggest that the aqueous propolis extract tested is potentially effective as an adjuvant to therapy in asthmatic patients. The benefits may be related to the presence in the extract of caffeic acid derivatives and other active constituents.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Antiapoptotic effects of propolis extract and propol on human macrophages exposed to minimally modified low density lipoprotein.

An aqueous extract of propolis and the phenolic component of propolis, propol, were assayed for antioxidative and antiapoptotic properties. Both additions inhibited Cu(2+)-initiated low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation as characterized by a reduction of the lag time, reduced the increase of relative electrophoretic mobility during oxidation and markedly diminished apoptosis of human macrophages exposed to minimally modified (mmLDL). Moreover, aqueous propolis extract and propol blocked the mmLDL-induced decrease of glutathione (GSH) and the activation of the transcription factor NF-kappa B in these cells. The potent phenolic antioxidant propol thus expands the capability of cells to neutralize oxidative stress and to prevent apoptosis and is therefore suggested to significantly contribute to the antiinflammatory and antioxidative effects of propolis.

Acrylates↗

PubMed1994

Electron microscopic and microcalorimetric investigations of the possible mechanism of the antibacterial action of a defined propolis provenance.

Microcalorimetric and electron microscopic studies on the mode of the antibacterial action of propolis were performed on Streptococcus agalactiae. It was shown that propolis inhibits bacterial growth by preventing cell division, thus resulting in the formation of pseudo-multicellular streptococci. In addition, propolis disorganized the cytoplasm, the cytoplasmic membrane, and the cell wall, caused a partial bacteriolysis, and inhibited protein synthesis. It was evident that the mechanism of action of propolis on bacterial cells is complex and a simple analogy cannot be made to the mode of action of any classic antibiotics.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2002

The inhibitory effect of propolis and caffeic acid phenethyl ester on cyclooxygenase activity in J774 macrophages.

The effect of an ethanolic extract of propolis, with and without CAPE, and some of its components on cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) activity in J774 macrophages has been investigated. COX-1 and COX-2 activity, measaured as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, were concentration-dependently inhibited by propolis (3 x 10(-3) - 3 x 10(2) microgml(-1)) with an IC50 of 2.7 microgml(-1) and 4.8 x 10(-2) microgml(-1), respectively. Among the compounds tested pinocembrin and caffeic, ferulic, cinnamic and chlorogenic acids did not affect the activity of COX isoforms. Conversely, CAPE (2.8 x 10(-4) - 28 microgml(-1); 10(-9) - 10(-4) M) and galangin (2.7 x 10(-4) - 27 microgml(-1); 10(-9) - 10(-4) M) were effective, the last being about ten-twenty times less potent. In fact the IC50 of CAPE for COX-1 and COX-2 were 4.4 x 10(-1) microgml(-1) (1.5 x 10(-6) M) and 2 x 10(-3) microgml(-1) (6.3 x 10(-9) M), respectively. The IC50 of galangin were 3.7 microgml(-1) (15 x 10(-6) M) and 3 x 10(-2) microgml(-1) (120 x 10(-9) M), for COX-1 and COX-2 respectively. To better investigate the role of CAPE, we tested the action of the ethanolic extract of propolis deprived of CAPE, which resulted about ten times less potent than the extract with CAPE in the inhibition of both COX-1 and COX-2, with an IC50 of 30 microgml(-1) and 5.3 x 10(-1) microgml(-1), respectively. Moreover the comparison of the inhibition curves showed a significant difference (p < 0.001). These results suggest that both CAPE and galangin contribute to the overall activity of propolis, CAPE being more effective.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Bi-lateral eosinophilic ulcers in an infant treated with propolis.

BACKGROUND: Propolis is a natural substance, produced by the honey bee, containing amino acids, flavanoids, terpenes and cinnamic acid. It has long been used in folk-medicine for topical inflammatory conditions including ulcerative lesions of different aetiologies. METHODS: A 13-month-old female infant developed bilateral eosinophilic ulcers of the mouth, becoming the youngest patient in the literature so far reported to have done so. Following a protracted 4-month course, during which time the lesions remained unchanged despite various treatments, the ulcers were treated locally with a lanolin-based propolis ointment. RESULTS: Application of the propolis ointment was associated with the rapid resolution of the ulcers within 3 weeks and they did not subsequently recur. CONCLUSIONS: Although inevitably circumstantial, the abrupt healing of this child's chronic eosinophilic ulcers suggests that, in the light of its previously known therapeutic associations, propolis deserves further evaluation in the treatment of this condition, and perhaps in other forms of oral ulceration as well.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

PubMed2006

Chemical composition of propolis from Canada, its antiradical activity and plant origin.

The chemical composition of propolis from two regions in Canada was studied: Boreal forest and Pacific coastal forest that lay outside the area of distribution of Aigeiros poplars, the usual propolis source plants. In the sample from Victoria, p-hydroxyacetophenone, benzyl hydroxybenzoate and cinnamic acid were the major components, accompanied by significant amounts of dihydrochalcones, which allowed the identification of its plant source: Populus trichocarpa of Section Tacamahaca. Three dihydrochalcones were new for propolis. The sample from Richmond was characterized by large amounts of p-coumaric and cinnamic acid, typical for poplars of Section Leuce, subsection Trepidae, its plant source was identified as P. tremuloides. Both samples showed good radical scavenging activity against DPPH. Obviously, Northern type propolis is a promising potential source of biologically active substances and deserves further investigation.

Acetophenones↗

PubMed2005

Chemical composition of propolis from Canada, its antiradical activity and plant origin.

The chemical composition of propolis from two regions in Canada was studied: Boreal forest and the Pacific coastal forest that lie outside the area of distribution of Aigeiros poplars, the usual propolis source plants. In the sample from Victoria, p-hydroxyacetophenone, benzyl hydroxybenzoate and cinnamic acid were the major components, accompanied by significant amounts of dihydrochalcones, which allowed the identification of its plant source: Populus trichocarpa of section Tacamahaca. Three dihydrochalcones were new for propolis. The sample from Richmond was characterized by large amounts of p-coumaric and cinnamic acid, typical for poplars of section Leuce, subsection Trepidae, its plant source was identified as P. tremuloides. Both samples showed a good radical scavenging activity against DPPH. Obviously, the Northern type propolis is a promising potential source of biologically active substances and deserves further investigation.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

PubMed2004

Inhibition of Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 by pollen and propolis extracts.

The inhibitory effects on mycelial growth of Aspergillus parasiticus strain NRRL 2998 of pollen and propolis extracts from different regions of Turkey were investigated in culture media. The least active concentration towards the tested fungus was 2% of both extracts. But, the inhibitory effects of all propolis extracts on mycelial growth were higher when compared with pollen extracts. While the effect of a 5% level of Antakya propolis extract increased with increasing incubation period, the antifungal effect of pollen extract from the same region on mycelial growth was less than that of the control group. As a result, none of the extracts tested completely inhibited mycelial growth. The highest inhibition rate was established at the 5% level of Taşkent and Alanya propolis samples.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

PubMed1988

Propolis allergy. (III). Sensitization studies with minor constituents.

87% of the propolis product "LB-1", originally reported to be 1,1-dimethyl-allyl caffeic acid ester, was shown by GC/MS analysis to consist of 3 isomeric pentenyl caffeates, 63% of which are 1,1-dimethylallyl caffeate. These pentenyl caffeates proved to be the major sensitizers of propolis and of poplar bud secretion in our previous study. In addition, 3 further minor allergens have now been investigated. Experimental sensitization indicates that phenylethyl caffeate is as strong a sensitizer as the major allergen "LB-1", while benzyl salicylate is a moderate sensitizer. Benzyl cinnamate plays only a subordinate role. At least 3 further esters of caffeic acid or cinnamic acid remain to be studied. Interestingly, relationships between propolis and balsam of Peru were found. 8 compounds are common to both materials. Thus "cross-reactions" or concomitant reactions in propolis-sensitive individuals to balsam of Peru are explainable.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

In vitro antimicrobial activity of propolis dry extract.

In this study the antibacterial and antifungal properties of propolis, a natural product of bees, have been investigated against different pathogens. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined according to NCCLS standards on 320 strains including Staphylococcus aureus, Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Time-kill curves were assessed for susceptible microorganisms, testing 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 x MIC for propolis, by counting viable bacteria after 0, 3, 6, 24 hours and viable yeasts after 0, 3, 6, 24 and 48 hours. Propolis showed good antimicrobial activity against most of the isolates, particularly S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis, but not against Enterobacteriaceae. Time-kill curves demonstrated bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal activity of propolis, the latter being evident only at high concentrations.

Candida albicans↗

PubMed2003

Inhibitory effect of water-soluble derivative of propolis and its polyphenolic compounds on tumor growth and metastasizing ability: a possible mode of antitumor action.

Polyphenolic compounds are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and display a variety of biological activities, including chemoprevention and tumor growth inhibition. Propolis is made up of a variety of polyphenolic compounds. We compared how the routes of administration of polyphenolic compounds deriving from propolis and of propolis itself affect the growth and metastatic potential of a transplantable mammary carcinoma (MCa) of the CBA mouse. The influence of tested compounds on local tumor growth was also studied. Metastases in the lung were generated by 2 x 10(5) tumor cells injected intravenously (IV). A water-soluble derivative of propolis (WSDP) and polyphenolic compounds (caffeic acid, CA, and CA phenethyl ester, CAPE) were given to mice per os (PO) or intraperitoneally (IP) before or after tumor cell inoculation. Tested compounds significantly decreased the number of lung colonies. When mice were inoculated with 10(5) MCa cells in the exact site of subcutaneous injection of different doses of WSDP, CA, or CAPE, tumor growth was inhibited, and survival of treated mice was prolonged. Antitumor activity, according to the results obtained, is mostly related to the immunomodulatory properties of the compounds and their capacity to induce apoptosis and necrosis. In conclusion, results presented here indicate that WSDP, CA, and CAPE could be potential useful tools in the control of tumor growth in experimental tumor models when administrated PO; because PO administration is the easiest way of introducing a compound used for prevention and/or cure of any disease, it is likely that this article has reached the goal of the investigation.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2006

Anti-inflammatory effect of propolis through inhibition of nitric oxide production on carrageenin-induced mouse paw edema.

The anti-inflammatory effect of propolis was compared with that of diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and L-N(G)-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, using carrageenin-induced mouse paw edema. When administered 10 min prior to carrageenin injection, propolis (1 : 1000, 1 : 100, p.o.), diclofenac (12.5, 50 mg/kg, p.o.) and L-NAME (10, 100 mg/kg, s.c.) showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect. The anti-inflammatory effects of propolis and L-NAME were significantly inhibited by L-arginine, a precursor of nitric oxide, but not by D-arginine. In contrast, the anti-inflammatory effect produced by diclofenac was not inhibited by either D-arginine or L-arginine. These results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of propolis on mouse paw edema acts via the inhibition of nitric oxide production, similar to that of L-NAME but not diclofenac.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Biochemical activities of propolis-extracts. III. Inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase.

Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the natural compound PROPOLIS indicate substantial antiinflammatory functions as well as antibiotic activities in vitro and in vivo. The exact mode of physiological or biochemical mechanisms responsible for the medical effects, however, is all but clear. The standardization on the basis of quantitative determination of prominent components of these extracts have been substituted recently by simple biochemical model reactions including photodynamic properties. In this communication we report on the inhibitory activity of an aqueous extract of propolis on the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase. This activity may at least partially be due to the content of caffeic acid, as revealed by HPLC chromatography and comparative activity tests of representative ingredients of the propolis extract. This result may explain some of the protective functions of propolis, similar to those shown for several "non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs", NSAIDs.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Brazilian propolis.

Four samples of Brazilian propolis were investigated by GC/MS of different fractions. 32 volatile compounds, (10 of them new for propolis), as well as 12 more polar compounds (one of them new for propolis) were identified. Antibacterial activity was found in some propolis fractions.

Aldehydes↗