Is bee propolis GABAergic?5 answersBee propolis has shown potential GABAergic effects in various studies. Propolis has been found to modulate glutamine synthetase (GS) activity in the brain, which is crucial for GABAergic neurotransmission. Additionally, propolis administration has been linked to the restoration of cognitive function and memory in mice, indicating its ability to influence neurotransmitter systems like GABA. These findings suggest that bee propolis may indeed have GABAergic properties, potentially impacting neurological functions related to GABA neurotransmission. Further research is warranted to explore the specific mechanisms through which propolis interacts with the GABAergic system and its implications for neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement.
What are the components of bee propolis?5 answersBee propolis is composed of various bioactive compounds. These include sugars, carboxylic acids, terpenoids, sugar alcohols, hydrocarbons, aldehydes, amino acids, and other constituents. Flavonoids such as rutin, naringin, caffeic acid phenyl ester, luteolin, and artepillin C are present in propolis and have been shown to inhibit viral spike fusion, viral-host interactions, and viral replication. Propolis also contains phenolics and terpenoids. The chemical composition of propolis can vary depending on the geographical origin and the resin sources used by the bees. Different classes of secondary metabolites have been identified in propolis, including benzoic and cinnamic acids, flavonoids, alkyl and alkenyl resorcinols, xanthones, diterpenes, cycloartane-type triterpenoids, pentacyclic triterpenoids, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and hydroxycinnamic acid amides (HCAAs). The main active components found in stingless bee propolis from various regions in Indonesia include alpha-d-glucopyranoside.
What is the most efficent extraction solvent for propolis and why?5 answersThe most efficient extraction solvent for propolis is 70% ethanol. Ethanol is widely used because it increases the efficiency of extracting the bioactive components of propolis. However, the use of alcohol-based extracts can cause discomfort and is not suitable for individuals with alcohol intolerance. Therefore, alternative solvents have been explored. One study found that incorporating hydrogen into solvents, such as water and ethanol, increased the extraction efficiency of phenolic compounds in propolis. Another study compared lactic acid extraction to ethanol extraction and found that lactic acid could be used as an alternative solvent with similar phenolic compound content and higher antioxidant activity. Additionally, supercritical carbon dioxide and ultrasound-assisted extraction methods have also been investigated for extracting bioactive compounds from propolis. Overall, while ethanol is the most commonly used solvent, alternative solvents such as lactic acid, hydrogen-enriched solvents, supercritical carbon dioxide, and ultrasound-assisted extraction show promise for efficient propolis extraction.
Propolis extraction removes the inert material?5 answersPropolis extraction aims to remove inert compounds from the propolis sample while preserving the flavonoids and polyphenolic fraction. The extraction process involves the use of solvents such as ethanol, water, hexane, ethyl-acetate, and chloroform. Various techniques have been used for propolis extraction, including supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction. SC-CO2 extraction is a preferred method due to its ability to purify and fractionate bioactive compounds from natural sources. It is a non-toxic, non-polluting, and environmentally benign technique. The propolis extracts obtained through different extraction methods have been reported to have high content of ketone and volatile oil, and low content of impurities. The use of SC-CO2 extraction under specific conditions can result in extracts with high biological potential.
What is total phenolic content?5 answersTotal phenolic content refers to the amount of phenolic compounds present in a substance, such as plants or extracts. Phenolic compounds are a class of chemical compounds commonly found in plants and have many health benefits due to their antioxidant properties. They act as reducing agents, hydrogen donors, and quenchers of reactive oxygen species, protecting against oxidative damage. The total phenolic content can be determined using various methods, such as the Folin-Ciocalteu method, which involves reacting phenolic compounds with a reagent to form a colored complex that can be measured spectrophotometrically. The results are often expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE) or tannic acid equivalents (TAE) to quantify the phenolic content. Studies have shown variations in total phenolic content among different plant sources, with some vegetables, fruits, and herbal extracts having high levels of phenolic compounds.
How total phenolic content determination was done on cherry tomato?3 answersTotal phenolic content determination in cherry tomatoes was done using different methods in the studies. In one study by Rapa et al., the total phenolic content was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) assays. Another study by Distefano et al.also used the DPPH assay to evaluate the antioxidant activity and total polyphenols content in cherry tomatoes. Oluk et al.determined the total phenolic content in cherry tomatoes using an unspecified method. The specific method used for total phenolic content determination was not mentioned in the abstract by Sánchez-Rodríguez et al.. However, they did mention that the identification and content of phenolic compounds were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS).