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Identification of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives from Brazilian propolis as constituents involved in induction of granulocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells.

We have previously reported that Brazilian propolis extracts inhibited growth of HL-60 human myeloid leukemia cells, which is partly attributed to the induction of apoptosis associated with granulocytic differentiation. In this study, we isolated three compounds which induce granulocytic differentiation evaluated by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)-reducing assays from the water extract of propolis and identified as 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic, and 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acids by NMR analysis. Cell growth inhibitory activity of these caffeoylquinic acids was found in HL-60 cell, which was mainly attributed to the induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, the potency of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives to induce granulocytic differentiation was examined in HL-60 cells. Caffeic, quinic, and chlorogenic acids had no effects on the NBT-reducing activity, while 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid induced more than 30% of NBT-positive cells. These results suggest that the number of the caffeoyl groups bound to quinic acid plays an important role in the potency of the caffeoylquinic acid derivatives to induce granulocytic differentiation. This is the first report demonstrating that the caffeoylquinic acid derivatives induce granulocytic differentiation of HL-60 cells.

Cell Differentiation↗

Determination of hesperetin, cinnamic acid and nicotinic acid in propolis with micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography.

Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) has been used to determine hesperetin, cinnamic acid and nicotinic acid in propolis. After systematically study the effect of buffer concentration and pH, micellar concentration, organic modifier, applied voltage and injection time, the analytical conditions were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the three analytes could be well separated in 20 min. A good linearity between the peak current and the concentration was found in the range of 0.02-0.60 mg/ml, 0.05-1.20 mg/ml and 0.10-1.40 mg/ml with correlation coefficients of 0.9989, 0.9995 and 0.9990 for hesperetin, cinnamic acid and nicotinic acid, respectively. The detection limits were 0.006 mg/ml (hesperetin), 0.017 mg/ml (cinnamic acid) and 0.036 mg/ml (nicotinic acid). The validity of the method was verified by analyzing the three analytes in propolis oral liquids.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Immunomodulatory and antimetastatic action of propolis and related polyphenolic compounds.

The effect of polyphenolic compounds isolated from propolis and propolis itself was investigated on the growth and metastatic potential of a transplantable mammary carcinoma (MCa) of CBA mouse. Metastases in the lung were generated by intravenous injection of tumor cells (2 x 10(5)). A water-soluble derivative of proplis (WSDP), caffeic acid (CA), caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and quercetin (QU) were given to mice per os before tumor cells inoculation. Tested compounds significantly decreased the number of tumor nodules in the lung. According to the results obtained the antitumor activity of tested compounds can be related to the immunomodulatory properties of the compounds, their cytotoxicity to tumor cells, and their capacity to induce apoptosis and necrosis. The experimental data support that WSDP, CA, CAPE and QU could be potentially useful in the control of tumor growth in experimental models.

Animals↗

Water-soluble derivative of propolis and its polyphenolic compounds enhance tumoricidal activity of macrophages.

Many plants and the plant-derived honeybee propolis have shown biological activities like immunomodulation and antitumor effect. The effect of two water-soluble propolis derivatives (WSDP) from Croatia and Brazil, caffeic acid, quercetin, chrysin and naringenin which are present in WSDP was assessed on the development of Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT). The compounds (50 mgkg(-1)) were given by gastric intubations (po) 2 h prior to the intraperitoneal injection of EAT (2x10(6)) cells. It was observed that WSDP and its compounds effectively inhibited tumor growth and proliferation of EAT. The volume of ascitic fluid induced by EAT cells and total number of cells present in the peritoneal cavity was markedly reduced in EAT-bearing mice treated with test components. Treatment with test components increased the number of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells and decreased the number of macrophages in the peritoneal cavity of treated animals. The macrophage spreading activity revealed that WSDP and all test compounds affected the functional state of macrophages increasing their tumoricidal activity. The effect of WSDP was most pronounced suggesting synergistic effect of components present in WSDP. It is likely that part of the antitumor efficacy of the assayed components against EAT cells was the results of increased macrophage activity.

Animals↗

Effects of propolis on blood glucose, blood lipid and free radicals in rats with diabetes mellitus.

The effects of ethanol (EEP) and water (WSD) extracts of propolis collected from north China on blood glucose, blood lipid and free radicals in rats with diabetes mellitus were studied. The results show that EEP and WSD led to decreased levels of blood glucose (FBG), fructosamine (FRU), malonaldehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthetase (NOS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) in serum of fasting rats; and to increased serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). This suggests that propolis can control blood glucose and modulate the metabolism of glucose and blood lipid, leading to decreased outputs of lipid peroxidation and scavenge the free radicals in rats with diabetes mellitus.

Animals↗

The ability of ethanol extract of propolis to stimulate plaque formation in immunized mouse spleen cells.

Ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) is capable of increasing the number of plaque-forming cells in spleen cell population of immunized male BALB/c mice, demonstrating their ability to produce antibodies. The single EEP dose exerting the maximal plaque formation (a three-fold increase over control) is 500 micrograms/mouse. When this dose is repeated within 24 hours--the plaque-producing effect is even stronger, but further increases in the propolis dose or in the number of its administrations, have an inhibitory effect on the formation of the plaques. The time interval between administration of the EEP and the immunization process should not exceed 48 hours.

Animals↗

In vitro permeation through porcine buccal mucosa of caffeic acid phenetyl ester (CAPE) from a topical mucoadhesive gel containing propolis.

Recent studies have shown that propolis has on the oral cavity appreciable antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral actions, as well as anti-inflammatory, anaesthetic and cytostatic properties. In light of these studies, an assessment of the diffusion and permeation of caffeic acid phenetyl ester (CAPE) through porcine buccal mucosa was considered useful as a possible application in the stomatological field. To do so, a mucoadhesive topical gel was prepared to apply to the buccal mucosa. The gel was formulated in such a way as to improve the solubility of the propolis, conducting to an increase of the flux. The mucosal permeation of CAPE from the formulation was evaluated using Franz cells, with porcine buccal mucosa as septum between the formulation (donor compartment) and the receptor phase chamber. The diffusion through the membrane was determined by evaluating the amount of CAPE present in the receiving solution, the flux and the permeation coefficient (at the steady state) in the different formulations at set intervals. Qualitative and quantitative determinations were done by HPLC analysis. From the results, CAPE allowed a high permeability coefficient in comparison to the coefficient of other molecules, as expected from its physical-chemical structure. Moreover, the developed gel improved the CAPE flux approximately 35 times more with respect to an ethanol solution formulated at the same gel concentration. The developed gel was also tested in order to evaluate the mucoadhesive behaviour and comfort in vivo on 10 volunteers in a period of 8 h. The in vivo evaluation of mucoadhesive gel revealed adequate comfort and non-irritancy during the period of study and it was well accepted by the volunteers.

Adhesiveness↗

Phenolic compounds from Brazilian propolis with pharmacological activities.

Four compounds were isolated from Brazilian propolis. They are identified as: (1) 3-prenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (PHCA), (2) 2,2-dimethyl-6-carboxyethenyl-2H-1-benzopyrane (DCBEN), (3) 3,5-diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (DHCA), and (4) 2,2-dimethyl-6-carboxyethenyl-8-prenyl-2H-1-benzopyran (DPB). The structures of the compounds were determined by MS and NMR techniques. All compounds were assayed against Trypanosoma cruzi and the bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis. Compounds (1) to (4) were active against T. cruzi. Except (1), all compounds presented activity against the bacteria tested. When compounds (1)-(3) were tested in the guinea pig isolated trachea, all induced a relaxant effect similar to propolis extract.

Animals↗

Effects of propolis from Brazil and Bulgaria on fungicidal activity of macrophages against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is the most important systemic mycosis in Latin America. Its etiological agent, Paracoccidoides brasiliensis, affects individuals living in endemic areas through inhalation of airborne conidia or mycelial fragments. The disease may affect different organs and systems, with multiple clinical features, with cell-mediated immunity playing a significant role in host defence. Peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice were stimulated with Brazilian or Bulgarian propolis and subsequently challenged with P. brasiliensis. Data suggest an increase in the fungicidal activity of macrophages by propolis stimulation, independently from its geographic origin.

Animals↗

Antiproliferative activity of the Netherlands propolis and its active principles in cancer cell lines.

The MeOH extract of the Netherlands propolis showed promising antiproliferative activity toward highly liver-metastatic murine colon 26-L5 carcinoma with an EC(50) value of 3.5 microg/ml. Further, antiproliferative activity-guided purification of the MeOH extract led us to isolate four flavonoids (1-4), seven cinnamic acid derivatives (5-11) and two new glycerol derivatives (12, 13), whose structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. The isolated compounds were tested for their antiproliferative activity against murine colon 26-L5, murine B16-BL6 melanoma, human HT-1080 fibrosarcoma and human lung A549 adenocarcinoma cell lines. The benzyl (9), phenethyl (10) and cinnamyl caffeates (11) possessed potent antiproliferative activities with EC(50) values of 0.288, 1.76 and 0.114 microM, respectively, toward colon 26-L5 carcinoma. These caffeates were considered to be active constituents of the Netherlands propolis in their antiproliferative activity. The antioxidative activity of these caffeates may play an important role in their antiproliferative activities.

Animals↗

Immunomodulation by water-soluble derivative of propolis: a factor of antitumor reactivity.

The antimetastatic efficacy of a water-soluble derivative of propolis (WSDP) was studied. Tumor was a transplantable mammary carcinoma of CBA mouse. Metastases in the lung were generated by 2 x 10(5) viable tumor cells i.v. WSDP was given intraperitoneally at doses of 50 or 150 mg/kg before or after tumor cell inoculation. Therapies reduced the number of metastases in the lung and tumor growth was suppressed significantly by WSDP. It is likely that antimetastatic activity of the WSDP is mainly mediated by immunomodulatory activity. Changes in several immunological parameters such as production of lymphocyte activating factor by peritoneal macrophages and the efficacy of those macrophages to kill tumor cell in vitro, responses of lymphocytes to mitogen, and weight and cellularity of spleen, respectively, correlated well with antimetastatic properties of the WSDP. Based on results we postulate that the antimetastatic activity of propolis includes a pronounced immunomodulatory activity mainly toward augmentation of nonspecific antitumor resistance in mice via macrophage activation.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Antimicrobial activity of propolis samples from two different regions of Anatolia.

Antimicrobial activity of two propolis samples from Kazan and Marmaris regions in Turkey were investigated by the disc diffusion method. Antimicrobial activity was tested with four different ethanolic extracts (30, 50, 70, and 96% ethanol) of each sample against seven Gram positive, four Gram negative bacteria and one fungus culture. The activity was found to be mainly due to caffeic acid and its esters. An isomeric mixture containing 3,3-dimethylallyl caffeate, and isopent-3-enyl caffeate was isolated from Kazan propolis samples.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Inhibition of neutrophils' chemiluminescence by ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) and its phenolic components.

Ethanol extract of propolis (EEP), a natural beehive product, has been known for centuries for a variety of beneficial traditional medical properties, among which an anti-inflammatory effect is a major one. Now that most of its components have been isolated and recently identified, we tested 19 of them (all phenolic compounds) for their degree of anti-inflammatory activity. This was performed by evaluating the luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence, formed after their scavenging free radicals, generated by neutrophils that had been stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate. Caffeic-acid-phenylethyl-ester abolished the chemiluminescence completely at a concentration of 10 microM, while three flavone derivatives and three flavonols (galangin, kaempferol and kaempferid) diminished this chemiluminescence by 73-93% at the same concentration. These results indicate that some of the phenolic components of the ethanol extract of propolis are its active components in exerting its renowned anti-inflammatory activity.

Animals↗

Antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activity of propolis of different geographic origin.

Propolis samples from different geographic origins were investigated for their antibacterial (against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli), antifungal (against Candida albicans) and antiviral (against Avian influenza virus) activities. All samples were active against the fungal and Gram-positive bacterial test strains, and most showed antiviral activity. The activities of all samples were similar in spite of the differences in their chemical composition. In samples from the temperate zone, flavonoids and esters of phenolic acids are known to be responsible for the above mentioned activities of bee glue; tropical samples did not contain such substances but showed similar activities. Obviously, in different samples, different substance combinations are essential for the biological activity of the bee glue. It seems that propolis has general pharmacological value as a natural mixture and not as a source of new powerful antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral compounds.

Animals↗

Rapid screening of polar compounds in Brazilian propolis by high-temperature high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Methanol extracts of propolis from six different places, five in Rio de Janeiro state and one in São Paulo state, both in the Southeast of Brazil, were investigated using high-temperature high-resolution gas chromatography (HT-HRGC) and HT-HRGC-mass spectometry. The main purpose of the study was to establish the applicability of HT-HRGC as an analytical method for systematic studies of polar propolis fractions. Several compounds, including carbohydrates, phenolic acid derivatives, and high molecular weight compounds (e.g., wax esters of long chain fatty alcohols) could be readily characterized in the crude extracts by HT-HRGC-MS. HT-HRGC and HT-HRGC-MS were shown to be quick and informative tools for rapid analysis of crude polar extracts without cleanup.

Brazil↗

Beneficial effect of pollen and/or propolis on the metabolism of iron, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in rats with nutritional ferropenic anemia.

There has been considerable debate regarding the nutritional benefits of pollen and the propolis produced by bees, although most contributions have lacked scientific soundness. This paper describes the possible beneficial effect of their use in pharmacological products in cases of anemic syndrome. We studied the effect of these two natural products on the digestive utilization of iron, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, using control rats and rats with nutritional ferropenic anemia. The addition of these products to the diet produced a positive effect on weight gain; this fact could constitute a scientific basis for the application of pollen and propolis as fortifiers. They improve the digestive utilization of iron and the regeneration efficiency of hemoglobin, especially during recovery from an anemic syndrome. They also have a positive effect on phosphocalcic metabolism and maintain an appropiate level of magnesium metabolism. Furthermore, in iron-deficient rats, these natural products palliate, to a large extent, the adverse effects of iron deficiency on calcium and magnesium metabolism as a result of the improvement in the digestive utilization of these minerals.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗

Botanical origin and chemical composition of Brazilian propolis.

Brazilian propolis has been classified into 12 groups based on physicochemical characteristics: five in the southern Brazil group (group 3), one in the southeastern Brazil group (group 12), and six in the northeastern Brazil group (group 6). The plant origins of these groups were investigated using reversed-phase high-performance thin-layer chromatography (RPHPTLC), reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RPHPLC), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). It was concluded that the origins of propolis group 3, group 6, and group 12 are resins of the poplar tree, Hyptis divaricata, and Baccharis dracunculifolia, respectively.

Animals↗

Isoflavonoids isolated from Cuban propolis.

Chemical investigation of a red-type Cuban propolis sample has led to the isolation of 11 isoflavonoids (2 isoflavones, 3 isoflavans, and 6 pterocarpans), together with gallic acid, isoliquiritigenin, and (-)-liquiritigenin. Structural determination, including the absolute stereochemistry, was accomplished by spectroscopic analysis, particularly CD and 2D NMR techniques. The fragmentation behavior of pterocarpans was studied by electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using an ion-trap analyzer, and a generalized fragmentation pathway, useful in the identification and structural characterization of pterocarpans, is proposed. Isoflavonoids are reported for the first time from propolis samples.

Circular Dichroism↗