Propolis is a natural mixture of compounds produced by various bee species, including stingless bees. This compound has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antitumor activities. The present study aimed to determine the chemical constituents as well as the antioxidant, cytotoxic, and toxic activities of ethanol extracts of propolis obtained from the stingless bees Scaptotrigona depilis and Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides, which are found in Brazil. Phytosterols, terpenes, phenolic compounds, and tocopherol were identified in the ethanol extracts of propolis (EEPs) in different concentrations. The compounds stigmasterol, taraxasterol, vanilic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin were found only in EEP-M. The EEPs were able to scavenge the free radicals 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and protected human erythrocytes against lipid peroxidation, with the latter effect being demonstrated by their antihemolytic activity and inhibition of malondialdehyde formation. The EEPs showed cytotoxic activity against erythroleukemic cells and necrosis was the main mechanism of death observed. In addition, the concentrations at which the EEPs were cytotoxic were not toxic against Caenorhabditis elegans. In this context, it is concluded that EEP-S and EEP-M show antioxidant and cytotoxic activities and are promising bioactive mixtures for the control of diseases associated with oxidative stress and tumor cell proliferation.

Propolis is a complex bioactive mixture produced by bees, known to have different biological activities, especially in countries where there is a rich biodiversity of plant species. The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition and evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of Brazilian propolis from the species Plebeia droryana and Apis mellifera found in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. In the ethanolic extracts of P. droryana propolis (ExEP-P) and A. mellifera (ExEP-A) acids, phenolic compounds, terpenes and tocopherol were identified as major compounds. Both extracts presented antioxidant activity against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, the maximum activities being 500 μg/mL (ExEP-P) and 300 μg/mL (ExEP-A). However, only ExEP-A was able to inhibit lipid peroxidation induced by the oxidizing agent 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), which inhibited oxidative hemolysis and reduced the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in human erythrocytes for 4 h of incubation. The extracts also reduced the cell viability of the K562 erythroleukemia tumour line, with a predominance of necrotic death. Thus, it is concluded that the propolis produced by P. droryana and A. mellifera contain important compounds capable of minimizing the action of oxidizing substances in the organism and reducing the viability of erythroleukemia cells.

RESUMOObjetivou-se determinar o tipo de substrato e as melhores condições de luminosidade para o cultivo de mudas de Tocoyena formosa (Cham. & Schltdl.) K. Schum. A semeadura ocorreu em bandejas de isopor sob sombrite de 70% e três meses após a emergência, as plântulas foram selecionadas e em seguida transplantadas em vasos de 4L, em dois tipos de substratos: 50% de solo Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico + 50% de areia (TA) e 50% de solo de Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico + 25% de areia + 25% de cama de frango semidecomposta (TACF). Após o transplante, as mudas foram levadas para três condições de sombreamento (30%, 50% e 70% de sombra) e a pleno sol (0%). Após a aclimatação, a qualidade siológica das mudas foi determinada mensalmente, através da análise de crescimento e do índice de qualidade de Dickson, durante 90 dias. O experimento foi realizado em DIC em esquema fatorial 2 x 4 x 4 (substratos x sombreamento x idade da muda), com três repetições de três mudas. Foi observado maior crescimento e qualidade das mudas em substrato terra + areia + cama de frango e nas condições de 30% de sombra e pleno sol. Conclui-se que para produção de mudas de Tocoyena formosa a melhor condição de luminosidade é 30% de sombra e em pleno sol em substrato TACF. Palavras-chave: luz; Cerrado; jenipapo-bravo; produção de mudas. ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to determine the best substrate type and light conditions for the cultivation of seedlings of Tocoyena formosa (Cham. & Schltdl.) K. Schum. Seeds were planted in Styrofoam trays under 70% shading. Three months after emergence, the seedlings were selected and transplanted in 4-L pots, in two types of substrates: 50% dystroferric Red Latosol + 50% sand (TA) and 50% dystroferric Red Latosol + 25% sand + 25% semi-decomposed chicken manure (TACF). After transplanting, the seedlings were placed under three conditions of shading (30, 50 and 70% shade) and full sun (0% shade). After acclimation, the physiologic quality of the seedlings was determined monthly, by analysis of growth and Dickson quality index, for 90 days. The experiment was carried out using a randomized block design in a 2 x 4 x 4 factorial scheme (substrate x shading x age of seedling), with three repetitions of three seedlings. There was greater growth and quality of the seedlings in the substrate soil + sand + chicken manure and under conditions of 30% shade and full sun. It is concluded that for the production of seedlings of Tocoyena formosa, the best conditions are 30% shade and full sun for light and TACF for substrate.

Natural products are important sources of biomolecules possessing antitumor activity and can be used as anticancer drug prototypes. The rich biodiversity of tropical and subtropical regions of the world provides considerable bioprospecting potential, including the potential of propolis produced by stingless bee species. Investigations of the potential of these products are extremely important, not only for providing a scientific basis for their use as adjuvants for existing drug therapies but also as a source of new and potent anticancer drugs. In this context, this article organizes the main studies describing the anticancer potential of propolis from different species of stingless bees with an emphasis on the chemical compounds, mechanisms of action, and cell death profiles. These mechanisms include apoptotic events; modulation of BAX, BAD, BCL2-L1 (BCL-2 like 1), and BCL-2; depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane; increased caspase-3 activity; poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage; and cell death induction by necroptosis via receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) activation. Additionally, the correlation between compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential is demonstrated that help in the prevention of cancer development. In summary, we highlight the important antitumor potential of propolis from stingless bees, but further preclinical and clinical trials are needed to explore the selectivity, efficacy, and safety of propolis.

ResumoO objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar, em condições laboratoriais, a interferência alelopática do extrato aquoso de folhas de cártamo (Carthamus tinctorius L.) na germinação e crescimento inicial de plântulas de girassol e canola. Estes testes preliminares indicarão a necessidade de maiores estudos, para inserção das espécies em sistemas de plantio direto. Os ensaios foram realizados sobre sementes condicionadas em placas de Petri umedecidos com concentrações de extrato aquoso de cártamo a 20, 40, 60, 80 e 100%, além da testemunha somente com água destilada. As placas foram armazenadas em câmara de germinação, do tipo BOD, com temperatura e fotoperíodo controlados. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado e os parâmetros avaliados foram: percentagem de germinação, tempo e velocidade média de germinação, assim como comprimento médio de raiz. Os parâmetros foram submetidos ao Teste F, sendo as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Foi verificado efeito alelopático do extrato aquoso de cártamo sobre canola, sendo este prejudicial à emergência e crescimento inicial das plântulas.Palavras chave: Alelopatia; Canola; Carthamus tinctorius (L.); Girassol; Plantio direto AbstractAllelopathic interference of safflower leaves with oilseed species. The objective of this study was to evaluate, under laboratory conditions, the allelopathic interference of an aqueous extract of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) leaves with seed germination and early growth of seedlings of sunflower and canola. These preliminary tests indicate the need for further studies for inclusion of this species in no-till systems.