Characterization and evaluation of Colombian propolis on the intestinal integrity of broilers

Nutritional additives such as propolis seek to improve intestinal health as an alternative to the global ban on in-feed antibiotics used as growth promoters (AGP). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of propolis supplementation in diet of broilers. Four hundred and fifty straight-run Ross 308 AP broilers were fed with a basal diet (BD) throughout the whole experimental period. Birds were randomly distributed into 5 groups at d 14: negative control without antibiotics nor propolis (AGP-), positive control 500 ppm of Zinc Bacitracin as growth promoter (AGP+), and 3 groups supplemented with 150, 300, and 450 ppm of propolis. Every group included 6 replicates of 15 birds each. Propolis concentration was increased from d 22 to 42, in experimental groups to 300, 600, and 900 ppm of propolis, and 10% of raw soybean was included as a challenge in all groups during the same period. Analysis of productive parameters, intestinal morphometry, and relative quantification of genes associated with epithelial integrity by qPCR were performed at 21 and 42 d. The groups with the greatest weights were those that consumed diets including 150 (21 d) and 900 ppm (42 d) of propolis compared with all treatments. The lowest score of ISI was found at 300 (21 d) and 600 ppm (42 d). A lower degree of injury in digestive system was seen with the inclusion of 300 ppm (21 d) and 900 ppm (42 d). Up-regulation of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) was observed in jejunum of broilers supplemented with 150 and 300 ppm at 21 d. Up-regulation of ZO-1 and TGF-β was also evidenced in ileum at all propolis inclusion levels at 42-day-old compared to AGP+ and AGP-. The beneficial effects were evidenced at inclusion levels of 150 ppm in the starter and 900 ppm in the finisher. According to the results, the Colombian propolis inclusion can improve productive performance, physiological parameters, and gene expression associated with intestinal integrity.

Research Progress on Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of Propolis on Wound Healing

Propolis is a kind of reduct collected by bees from various plant sources. Because propolis is a mixture, it has a variety of biological activities, excellent anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects. Especially in the treatment of infectious wounds, acute wounds, burns, and scalds and promoting wound healing, more and more scientists began to apply it to the research field of wound healing. The standard preparation of propolis combined with other compound components has a safer and less toxic effect in the treatment of trauma. In order to more effectively use propolis products in wound treatment. This paper reviews the effect and treatment mechanism of propolis on different types of wound healing, as well as the synergistic effect of propolis and other compounds, in order to provide ideas for the further exploration of the biological activity and pharmacological function of propolis in the future, as well as its in-depth development in the field of wound healing. It will also provide a theoretical reference for the further development and utilization of propolis.

Propolis and Its Gastroprotective Effects on NSAID-Induced Gastric Ulcer Disease: A Systematic Review

Gastric ulcer disease induced by the consumption of NSAIDs is a major public health problem. The therapy used for its treatment causes adverse effects in the patient. Propolis is a natural product that has been used for the treatments of different diseases around the world. Nevertheless, there is little information about the activity of propolis in gastric ulcers caused by treatment with NSAIDs. Therefore, this review evaluates and compares the gastroprotective potential of propolis and its function against NSAID-induced gastric ulcers, for which a systematic search was carried out in the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases. The main criteria were articles that report the gastroprotective activity of propolis against the damage produced by NSAIDs in the gastric mucosa. Gastroprotection was related to the antioxidant, antisecretory, and cytoprotective effects, as well as the phenolic compounds present in the chemical composition of propolis. However, most of the studies used different doses of NSAIDs and propolis and evaluated different parameters. Propolis has proven to be a good alternative for the treatment of gastric ulcer disease. However, future studies should be carried out to identify the compounds responsible for these effects and to determine their potential use in people.

Evaluation of the gastroprotective effects of Chihuahua propolis on indomethacin- induced gastric ulcers in mouse

The aim of this work was to evaluate the gastroprotective activity of a Mexican propolis on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in a mouse model. The following contents of the ethanolic extract of propolis of Chihuahua (EEPCh) were determined: antioxidant activity (SA50), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and chemical composition by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS, as well as acute toxicity by OECD Guideline 423. Gastric lesions were induced by intragastric indomethacin treatment in male ICR mice. As the positive control, omeprazole was administered, and three doses of EEPCh were evaluated (50, 150 and 300 mg/kg). Gastric mucosal injury, histological changes and mucosal content were evaluated by means of H&E and PAS staining. For homogenized gastric tissues, the following were evaluated: TBARS, MPO, and PGE2 levels; SOD and GPx antioxidant enzymatic activity; and the concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. EEPCh had a significant SA50 of 41.55 µg/mL. The TPC of EEPCh was 860 mg GAE/g, and its TFC was 49.58 mg QE/g. Different phenolic compounds were identified in the extract and were not toxic. The EEPCh doses decreased mucosal damage and histological injuries, maintained the mucosal content and reduced the TBARS, MPO and concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in gastric ulcer tissues. The 150 and 300 mg/kg doses increased the SOD activity and maintained the PGE2 content. Only the 300 mg/kg dose increased the GPx activity. The results of this study suggest that EEPCh displays gastroprotective effects by means of its antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects and promotes ulcer protection through the maintenance of mucosal content and PGE2 levels.

Molecular and cellular mechanisms of the effects of Propolis in inflammation, oxidative stress and glycemic control in chronic diseases

Propolis is a sticky, resinous material gather from plants and is blended with wax and other constituents. It is reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and blood glucose-lowering properties. This review aims to summarise evidences for the cellular and molecular mechanism of Propolis in inflammation, oxidative stress, and glycemic control. Propolis stimulate the production and secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines and to inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines and due to its various antioxidant and poly-phenolic compounds may has a role in control and treating some of the chronic diseases. Most studies have shown that Propolis may affect metabolic factors including plasma insulin levels, and it has proposed that it could be used in the prevention and treatment of T2D Mellitus. In general, to demonstrate the definite effects of Propolis on chronic diseases, more studies are required using larger sample sizes and various doses of Propolis, using better characterized and standardized agents.

Anti-inflammatory activity of Tetragronula species from Indonesia

Anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit inflammation, particularly those classified as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Several studies have reported that propolis has both anti-ulcerogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the bioactive compound and in vivo anti-inflammatory properties of both smooth and rough propolis from Tetragronula sp. To further identify anti-inflammatory markers in propolis, LC-MS/MS was used, and results were analyzed by Mass Lynx 4.1. Rough and smooth propolis of Tetragonula sp. were microcapsulated with maltodextrin and arabic gum. Propolis microcapsules at dose 25–200 mg/kg were applied for carrageenan-induced rat’s paw-inflammation model. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis statistical tests. LC-MS/MS experiments identified seven anti-inflammatory compounds, including [6]-dehydrogingerdione, alpha-tocopherol succinate, adhyperforin, 6-epiangustifolin, deoxypodophyllotoxin, kurarinone, and xanthoxyletin. Our results indicated that smooth propolis at 50 mg/kg inhibited inflammation to the greatest extent, followed by rough propolis at a dose of 25 mg/kg. SPM and RPM with the dose of 25 mg/kg had inflammatory inhibition value of 62.24% and 58.12%, respectively, which is comparable with the value 70.26% of sodium diclofenac with the dose of 135 mg/kg. This study suggests that propolis has the potential candidate to develop as a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug.

Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly: A Comprehensive Review of Their Biological Actions and Health Benefits

BACKGROUND

There are several health benefits that honeybee products such as honey, propolis, and royal jelly claim toward various types of diseases in addition to being food.

SCOPE AND APPROACH

In this paper, the effects of honey, propolis, and royal jelly on different metabolic diseases, cancers, and other diseases have been reviewed. The modes of actions of these products have also been illustrated for purposes of better understanding.

KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

An overview of honey, propolis, and royal jelly and their biological potentials was highlighted. The potential health benefits of honey, such as microbial inhibition, wound healing, and its effects on other diseases, are described. Propolis has been reported to have various health benefits related to gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, and gynecological, oral, and dermatological problems. Royal jelly is well known for its protective effects on reproductive health, neurodegenerative disorders, wound healing, and aging. Nevertheless, the exact mechanisms of action of honey, propolis, and royal jelly on the abovementioned diseases and activities have not been not fully elucidated, and further research is warranted to explain their exact contributions.

Chemical and cytotoxic analyses of brown Brazilian propolis (Apis mellifera) and its in vitro activity against itraconazole-resistant Sporothrix brasiliensis

This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of brown Brazilian propolis and its in vitro activity against itraconazole-resistant Sporothrix brasiliensis from animal sporotrichosis. Propolis was acquired commercially and prepared as a hydroalcoholic extract. Chemical analysis was evaluated by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry of ultra-efficiency. The cell viability was evaluated by MTT test in MDBK cells of 50 to 0.09 μg/mL. For antifungal tests, twenty isolates of Sporothrix brasiliensis from dogs (n = 11) and cats (n = 9) with sporotrichosis were tested to itraconazole (16-0.0313 μg/mL) and to propolis (3.125-0.09 mg/mL) by broth microdilution technique (CLSI M38-A2), adapted to natural products. The results were expressed in minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC). Itraconazole showed activity between MIC values of 0.25 to greater than 16 μg/mL, and 88.9% (08/09) and 72.7% (08/11) of S. brasiliensis from cats and dogs, respectively, were considered itraconazole-resistant. All Sporothrix brasiliensis were sensitive to brown propolis between MIC values of 0.19-1.56 mg/mL, including the itraconazole-resistant isolates, whereas the MFC values of propolis were from 0.78 to greater than 3.125 mg/mL. Propolis maintained a medium to high cell viability between concentration of 0.78 to 0.09 μg/mL, and p-coumaric acid was the major compound. Brown Brazilian propolis is a promising antifungal candidate against sporotrichosis and more studies need to be undertaken to evaluate its safe use to understand its efficacy.