New information published since 1995 about propolis constituents is reviewed. The available information on the biological action of new found components is presented. Recent publi- cations are reviewed on propolis of native South American stingless bees. The plant sources of bee glue are discussed, taking into consideration data based on reliable chemical evidence including comparisons between propolis samples and plant material. Some aspects of the chemical standard- ization of propolis are discussed.

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Propolis: recent advances in chemistry and plant origin

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

SUMMARYA set of parameters and respective procedures for the establishment of chemical profiles of samples of tinctures and crude propolis is presented. It is proposed that estimations of the content of total phenolic substances, flavonoids, waxes, ash, volatile substances and dry residue be used as parameters to characterize samples of crude propolis. For tinctures, the estimations of total phenolic substances, flavonoids, waxes, specific gravity and ethanol are proposed. Total phenolic substances and flavonoids are measured by spectrophotometric methods, waxes gravimetrically and ethanol by gas chromatography. The accuracy of the spectrophotometric procedures was tested by assaying a mixture with a known composition of phenolic acids and flavonoids. The use of the procedures is exemplified by the analyses of six samples of crude propolis from different localities in Brazil and of tinctures prepared with absolute and 70% aqueous ethanol. The contents of total phenolic substances, flavonoids, waxes and vo...

Analysis of propolis: some parameters and procedures for chemical quality control

Propolis is a resinous hive product collected by honeybees from various plant sources. It is a popular folk medicine possessing a broad spectrum of biological activities. It has also been used as a health drink in various Asian, European and American countries. Several groups of researchers have focused their attention on the biological activity of propolis and its active principles. Many scientific articles are published every year in different international journals related to the pharmacological properties of propolis. This review article compiles recent findings (since 1995) on the pharmacological properties of propolis focusing on its antihepatotoxic, antitumour, antioxidative, antimicrobial and antiinflammatory properties. The possible mechanism of action of propolis as well as the active compounds are discussed.

Recent Progress in Pharmacological Research of Propolis

Propolis and the immune system: a review.

Four labdane-type diterpenic acids and syringaldehyde were isolated and identified from Brazilian propolis. All the compounds exhibit antibacterial activity. The diterpenes, found for the first time in propolis, are typical for some Araucaria species and thus indicate a possible plant source of Brazilian propolis.

Antibacterial Diterpenic Acids from Brazilian Propolis

Antibacterial diterpenic acids from Brazilian propolis

Institute of Organic Chemistry Centre of Phytochemistry Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad G. Bonchev str., 1113 Sofia

/pdf/phenolics-from-brazilian-propolis-2kqu7zrkvv.pdf

Phenolics from Brazilian Propolis

Wild berry species are known to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities. They have long been traditionally applied for their antiseptic, antimicrobial, cardioprotective and antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study is to reveal the potential for selective antiviral activity of total methanol extracts, as well as that of the anthocyanins and the non-anthocyanins from the following wild berries picked in Bulgaria: strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) and raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) of the Rosaceae plant family, and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillis L.) and lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L) of the Ericaceae. The antiviral effect has been tested against viruses that are important human pathogens and for which chemotherapy and/or chemoprophylaxis is indicated, namely poliovirus type 1 (PV-1) and coxsackievirus B1 (CV-B1) from the Picornaviridae virus family, human respiratory syncytial virus A2 (HRSV-A2) from the Paramyxoviridae and influenza virus A/H3N2 of Orthomyxoviridae. Wild berry fruits are freeze-dried and ground, then total methanol extracts are prepared. Further the extracts are fractioned by solid phase extraction and the non-anthocyanin and anthocyanin fractions are eluted. The in vitro antiviral effect is examined by the virus cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition test. The results reveal that the total extracts of all tested berry fruits inhibit the replication of CV-B1 and influenza A virus. CV-B1 is inhibited to the highest degree by both bilberry and strawberry, as well as by lingonberry total extracts, and influenza A by bilberry and strawberry extracts. Anthocyanin fractions of all wild berries strongly inhibit the replication of influenza virus A/H3N2. Given the obtained results it is concluded that wild berry species are a valuable resource of antiviral substances and the present study should serve as a basis for further detailed research on the matter.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1934578X1400900116

In vitro antiviral activity of a series of wild berry fruit extracts against representatives of Picorna-, Orthomyxo- and Paramyxoviridae.

The antitumor effect of peroral treatment with coumarin and its main metabolite in humans 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-OHC) against Sarcoma 180 in mice was studied. Both agents inhibited tumor growth and increased survival time of tumor-bearing animals. The antitumor effect was better when coumarins were administered prior to tumor inoculation suggesting that the immunomodulatory potential of coumarins might exceed their well-known direct cytostatic activity. The additive effect of coumarins in combination with a suboptimal LPS dose in tumor growth inhibition was demonstrated. Coumarin treatment enhanced the macrophage migration activity in the presence and absence of LPS and increased nitric oxide release. In vitro, coumarins induced IL-12 in murine macrophages and additively increased the LPS-induced IL-12 release. These data indicate that the immunomodulatory activity of coumarins contributes to their direct cytostatic effect and demonstrate their potential to combine as immunostimulators with other antitumor agents.

N. Nikolova

Papers

Antibacterial Diterpenic Acids from Brazilian Propolis

Antibacterial diterpenic acids from Brazilian propolis

Phenolics from Brazilian Propolis

In vitro antiviral activity of a series of wild berry fruit extracts against representatives of Picorna-, Orthomyxo- and Paramyxoviridae.

Antitumor and immunomodulatory effect of coumarin and 7-hydroxycoumarin against Sarcoma 180 in mice.