Propolis Exhibits Cytotoxic Effect on Cervical Tumor Cells

Propolis always thrives in protecting the mucuous linings of the body from bacteria, viruses, fungi, inflammation and even tumor cell growth...

Chemical composition of the ethanolic propolis extracts and its effect on HeLa cells.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2011, Jun 1

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

Propolis is a resinous hive product collected by honeybees from various plant sources. It is widely used in traditional medicine and is reported to have a broad spectrum of pharmacological effects (antibacterial, antihepatoxic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, etc.). Thus the aim of this study was to assess cytotoxic effect of various ethanol propolis extractions on the cervical tumor cell line (HeLa) and compare it with their phenolic acids and flavonoids composition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Twenty samples of raw propolis were collected from 17 localities of Croatia (I-XVII), 2 of Bosnia and Hercegovina (XVIII, XIX) and 1 of Macedonia (XX). Reverse phase HPLC was used to determine the chemical composition of polyphenols. Biological experiments were carried out in vitro on cervix adenocarcinoma cell line (HeLa).

RESULTS:

Phenolic acids (ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid) and flavonoids (tectochrysin, galangin, pinocembrin, pinocembrin-7-methylether, chrysin, apigenin, kaempferol, quercetin) have been determined using HPLC analysis in 20 ethanolic propolis extracts. All samples contain tectochrysin in ranges of 0.1988 mg/g (XVIII) to 1.2004 mg/g (III), while caffeic acid and quercetin have not been found. Flavonoid that is most abundant is galangin in ranges from 0.3706 mg/g (XVII) to 47.4879 mg/g (IX). The samples of propolis numbers I, VI and X applied in the investigated concentration range manifested significant reduction of cell growth. GI₅₀ value as indicator of cytotoxicity among propolis samples showed that propolis number VII is the most effective (GI₅₀=76 μg/ml) followed by propolis nos. XV, XVIII and I.

CONCLUSION:

Antiproliferative and cytotoxic effect of propolis on the HeLa cells is not correlating with the concentration of particular components but on establishing the possible synergistic antiproliferative activity of individual phenolic acid and flavonoids. Differences in the chemical composition lead to diversity in biological activity of propolis samples.

Basque Propolis Has Strong Activity Against Microbial Strains

Exciting new results of propolis antimicrobial and antifungal action against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Salmonella enterica ...

The Antimicrobial Effects of Propolis Collected in Different Regions in the Basque Country (Northern Spain)

WorldJournal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Nov 2011

The antimicrobial activity of 19 propolis extracts prepared in different solvents (ethanol and propylene glycol) (EEP/PEP), was evaluated against some bacterial and fungal isolates using the agar-well diffusion method.

It was verified that all the samples tested showed antimicrobial activity, although results varied considerably between samples. Results revealed that both types of propolis extracts showed highly sensitive antimicrobial action against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi at a concentration of 20% (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisae) with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mg/ml, with a moderate effect against Streptococcus pyogenes (MIC from 17 to 26 mg/ml).

To our knowledge, this is the first study showing elevated antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria [Salmonella enterica (MIC from 0.6 to 1.4 mg/ml)] and lesser activity against Helicobacter pylori (MIC from 6 to 14 mg/ml), while Escherichia coli was resistant.

This concluded that the Basque propolis had a strong and dose-dependent activity against most of the microbial strains tested, while database comparison revealed that phenolic substances were responsible for this inhibition, regardless of their geographical origin and the solvent employed for extraction. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences between EEP and PEP extracts.

Honey May Help Prevent Atherosclerosis

Honey has also been found to prolong human tissue used for transplants...


Effect of Natural Honey on Human Platelets and Blood Coagulation Proteins
Pakistan Journal Pharm Sci, 2011 Jul;24(3):389-97

Present study was conducted to determine the effects of honey on blood hemostasis, in-vitro effect of honey was observed on platelet aggregation and blood coagulation employing, activated partial prothrombin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen levels in blood.

Honey samples showed moderate inhibition of platelet aggregation with IC(50) 5-7.5%. The coagulation assays showed that at higher concentrations (>15%) honey samples increased whole blood clotting time. When assayed in platelet poor plasma (PPP), honey samples significantly (P>0.005) prolonged aPTT, PT, and TT. The honey samples (at 3.75% and 7.5% concentrations) cause mean increment of aPTT = 19±10% and 62±10%; PT 6±5% and 40±5%; TT 35±15% and 112±30% respectively. Moreover, PPP isolated from whole blood pre-incubated with honey samples (9.0% for 10 minutes) showed mean prolongation of aPTT, PT and TT of 45±21%, 26±9% and 105±24% respectively.

Interestingly, incubation of honey at 6.25% and 11.75% concentrations in PPP considerably (P≥0.005) reduced fibrinogen levels i.e. 13±4% and 86±30% respectively.

The present study outlines the inhibitory effect of natural honey on platelet aggregation and blood coagulation. These observations provide first line data for modulatory role(s) of honey on process of hemostasis…

On the basis of present and previous results, it can assumed that honey might interfere at several steps in the formation of atherosclerotic disease this effect finally translates into the prevention of vascular disorders such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders.