The incidence of allergy to propolis in 605 consecutive patients patch tested in Prague

Effects of propolis in an experimental rat model of allergic rhinitis

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the anti-allergic activity of propolis in an ovalbumin-induced rat model of allergic rhinitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective experimental study was conducted at Hakan Çetinsaya Clinical and Experimental Animal Research Center with 30 rats. After sensitization of all rats with 0.3mg intraperitoneal ovalbumin plus 30mg aluminum hydroxide for 14days (first phase), rats were divided to five groups. In the second phase of the study 10μL of ovalbumin was applied to each nostril for 21days. Together with second phase, ketotifen (n:6), oral propolis (n:6), intranasal propolis (n:6) and intranasal mometasone furoate (n:6) were given to rats. A control group (n:4)(salin) and sham group (n:2) were planned. Symptoms were assessed on days 19, 22, 25, 30 and 35, resulting in 5 symptom scores: symptom scores 1-5. On day 35, nasal tissue was removed and histological examination was performed.

RESULTS

When rats that received systemic and intranasal propolis were compared to controls, ciliary loss, inflammation, increase in goblet cells, vascular proliferation, eosinophil count, chondrocytes and allergic rhinitis symptom score were found to be decreased (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It was found that propolis had anti-allergic effects on allergic symptom scores and nasal histology.

Propolis: a review of properties, applications, chemical composition, contact allergy, and other adverse effects

Propolis (bee glue) is the resinous substance that bees collect from living plants for the construction and adaptation of their nests. It has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties and may have a wide range of other beneficial biological activities. Propolis is available as a dietary supplement, in products for the protection of health and prevention of diseases, in biopharmaceuticals, and as a constituent of (bio)cosmetics. In this article, the following aspects of propolis are reviewed: the nature and chemical composition, its biological properties and applications, contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis (sensitizing potential, products causing contact allergy, clinical picture, frequency of sensitization, coreactivity and cross-reactivity, the allergens in propolis), and other adverse effects.

Histopathological analysis of corticosteroid-antibiotic preparation and propolis paste formulation as intracanal medication after pulpectomy: an in vivo study

Intracanal medication in pulpectomy therapy is used between appointments with the objective of reducing pain and inflammatory processes in pulp and periapical tissues. Propolis has been known as a natural antibiotic and has been subject of medical and dental research due to its therapeutic properties such as antibiotic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Evaluation of allergens in propolis by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

The purified extract of propolis is used as a traditional remedy for the treatment of several diseases. Its beneficial activities are mainly attributed to the polyphenolic fraction. Nevertheless, propolis can cause allergic dermatitis and the sensitization rate in humans is increasing significantly mainly in younger subjects. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a selective and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis (UPLC/MS/MS) for the evaluation of the amount of caffeic acid and its esters with allergenic action in raw propolis samples and commercial formulations. The separation was carried out on a 1.7 μm C(18) BEH Shield column and the detection performed by means of electrospray ionization in negative ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring. The confirmation of formulae of the precursor and product ions was accomplished by injection into a high-resolution system (FTICR-MS) using accurate mass measurements. The error was below 1.4 ppm.The range of the standard curves was 0.5-10 μg/mL and dihydrocaffeic acid was used as internal standard (IS). The lower limit of detection (LLOD) for 3-methyl-2-butenyl-(3M2B), 3-methyl-3-butenyl-(3M3B), 2-methyl-2-butenyl-(2M2B), benzyl-(CABE), phenylethylcaffeic acid (CAPE) and for caffeic acid (CA) and the IS was 0.1 and 0.3 μg/mL, respectively. The recoveries were in the range 96-104% and the intra- and inter-day precisions were within 6.2%. In the European (n=8) and Asiatic (n=3) propolis the most abundant allergens were CABE>3M2B>CAPE>3M3B>CA>2M2B. These compounds were not found in the red (n=1) and green (n=1) Brazilian propolis. Hydroalcoholic extracts (n=6) and tablets (n=6) were analyzed by the proposed UPLC/MS/MS method. The results showed that in the commercial products CABE, 3M2B, CAPE and 3M3B were also the most abundant.

Sensitization to propolis in 1255 children undergoing patch testing

To investigate the frequency and the features of contact sensitization to propolis in children, we patch tested 1255 consecutive children suspected of allergic contact dermatitis with propolis 20% petrolatum over an 8-year period (1995-2002). Positive responses were observed in 5.9% of patch-tested subjects, with a significantly higher frequency in boys than in girls. The dermatitis was localized mainly on the face, hands and limbs. A significant linear increase in the annual frequency of propolis allergy was noted. Confirming literature data, a significant association with balsam of Peru sensitivity was present in children reacting to propolis, linked to the presence of common constituents in the 2 substances. In conclusion, based on our data, we suggest that propolis should not be used in topical products for children because of its high sensitization rate at the paediatric age.

Contact dermatitis and other skin conditions in instrumental musicians

BACKGROUND

The skin is important in the positioning and playing of a musical instrument. During practicing and performing there is a permanent more or less intense contact between the instrument and the musician's skin. Apart from aggravation of predisposed skin diseases (e.g., atopic eczema or psoriasis) due to music-making, specific dermatologic conditions may develop that are directly caused by playing a musical instrument.

METHODS

To perform a systematic review on instrument-related skin diseases in musicians we searched the PubMed database without time limits. Furthermore we studied the online bibliography "Occupational diseases of performing artist. A performing arts medicine bibliography. October, 2003" and checked references of all selected articles for relevant papers.

RESULTS

The most prevalent skin disorders of instrumental musicians, in particular string instrumentalists (e.g., violinists, cellists, guitarists), woodwind players (e.g., flautists, clarinetists), and brass instrumentalists (e.g., trumpeters), include a variety of allergic contact sensitizations (e.g., colophony, nickel, and exotic woods) and irritant (physical-chemical noxae) skin conditions whose clinical presentation and localization are usually specific for the instrument used (e.g., "fiddler's neck", "cellist's chest", "guitar nipple", "flautist's chin"). Apart from common callosities and "occupational marks" (e.g., "Garrod's pads") more or less severe skin injuries may occur in musical instrumentalists, in particular acute and chronic wounds including their complications. Skin infections such as herpes labialis seem to be a more common skin problem in woodwind and brass instrumentalists.

CONCLUSIONS

Skin conditions may be a significant problem not only in professional instrumentalists, but also in musicians of all ages and ability. Although not life threatening they may lead to impaired performance and occupational hazard. Unfortunately, epidemiological investigations have exclusively been performed on orchestra musicians, though the prevalence of instrument-related skin conditions in other musician groups (e.g., jazz and rock musicians) is also of interest. The practicing clinician should be aware of the special dermatologic problems unique to the musical instrumentalist. Moreover awareness among musicians needs to be raised, as proper technique and conditioning may help to prevent affection of performance and occupational impairment.

Allergic contact dermatitis to propolis in a violin maker

Allergy to colophony is well noted in the literature, however, there have been few case reports of allergic contact dermatitis to propolis in musicians and instrument makers. We report a case of a stringed instrument craftsman who developed allergic contact dermatitis to propolis, a component of Italian varnish. A review of the components, applications, and the clinical manifestations of hypersensitivity reactions to propolis are presented.

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.

Detection of antimicrobials in bee products with activity against viridans streptococci

OBJECTIVES

Bee products have been studied extensively for their healing properties and have become part of cosmetic preparations and folk medicine. The major objective of this study was to examine the presence of antimicrobials in various bee products.

DESIGN

Propolis, honeycomb lids, pollen, honeycombs, and honey were screened for antimicrobial compounds. Viridans streptococci were used as indicator strains. Ethanol extracts were applied onto paper disks, dried, and put on the surface of nutrient agar plates with the overlay containing viridans streptococci. The plates were then incubated and evaluated the next day for the presence of inhibition zones. The size of the inhibition zone represented a quantitative measure of antimicrobial activity in a sample. Thin-layer chromatography was used for separation of compounds in the samples and biodetection-an overlay with indicator strain-identified the antimicrobial compounds by formation of inhibition zones.

RESULTS

Ethanol extracts of propolis and honeycomb lids, as well as honey containing honeycomb lids contained a mixture of antimicrobial compounds in various amounts. Thin-layer chromatography experiments with two different solvent systems differing in polarity suggested that major antimicrobials present in the samples prepared from honeycomb lids, honeycombs, pollen, and propolis have similar properties. These active compounds were not extremely hydrophobic.

CONCLUSIONS

Extracts from the tested samples of bee products exhibited antimicrobial properties at various levels depending on the sample and bacterial species used for testing. Using chromatographic techniques, we demonstrated similar properties of the active compounds in various active samples. In conclusion, our results suggest that honey containing honeycomb lids may be a beneficial food supplement because of the presence of antibacterial compounds.

Propolis allergy (IV). Studies with further sensitizers from propolis and constituents common to propolis, poplar buds and balsam of Peru

26 different compounds have been investigated experimentally for their sensitizing capacity in guinea pigs. 19 of these occur in propolis as well as in poplar bud exudates, and 14 of them are also found in balsam of Peru. 4 caffeates and benzyl isoferulate were found to be strong sensitizers. 7 compounds were moderate, and 13 compounds showed only weak sensitizing potency. Methyl cinnamate was negative. Patch tests in 11 propolis-sensitive patients once more revealed 3-methyl-2-butenyl caffeate and phenylethyl caffeate as the major sensitizers. In addition to the 8 compounds already known to occur in propolis as well as in balsam of Peru, we detected 5 further substances that both materials have in common. Among these, benzyl isoferulate is considered a noteworthy sensitizer. Coniferyl benzoate, which was shown to be a moderate sensitizer, is present in fresh samples of balsam of Peru, while in propolis it has been detected only once so far. The flavonoid aglycones occurring in poplar bud exudates, and hence also in propolis, are weak sensitizers which play only a minor role in propolis hypersensitivity.