Algerian Propolis from Distinct Geographical Locations: Chemical Profiles, Antioxidant Capacity, Cytotoxicity and Inhibition of 5‐Lipoxygenase Product Biosynthesis

Abstract

Propolis was collected from honeybee hives in three geographically distinct Algerian climates and extracts were characterized for composition and bioactivity. Bees were identified as native subspecies using an in‐silico DraI mtDNA COI‐COII test. Over 20 compounds were identified in extracts by LC‐MS. Extracts from the Medea region were more enriched in phenolic content (302 ± 28 mg GAE/g of dry extract) than those from Annaba and Ghardaia regions. Annaba extracts had the highest flavonoid content (1870 ± 385 mg QCE/g of dry extract). Medea extracts presented the highest free‐radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 13.5 µg/mL) using the DPPH radical assay while Ghardaia extracts from the desert region were weak (IC50 > 100 µg/mL). Antioxidant activities measured using AAPH oxidation of linoleic acid were similar in all extracts with IC50 values ranging from 2.9 to 4.9 µg/mL. All extracts were cytotoxic (MTT assay) and proapoptotic (Annexin‐V) against human leukemia cell lines in the low µg/mL range, although the Annaba extract was less active against the Reh cell line. Extracts inhibited cellular 5‐lipoxygenase product biosynthesis with IC50 values ranging from 0.6 to 3.2 µg/ml. Overall, examined propolis extracts exhibited significant biological activity that warrant further characterization in cellular and in vivo models.

Assessment of Efficacy of Algerian Propolis against the Parasitic Mite Varroa destructor and Safety for Honey Bees by Spray Treatment

“…However, future experiments with a more specific experimental design should answer these questions. In addition, we note that based on the literature, several of the identified components in the propolis samples are considered the main effective phytochemical components responsible for biological activities attributed to propolis [46,49]. As a consequence, we believe that the acaricide activity of propolis extracts is due to the bioactive components, such as phenols and flavonoids, present in propolis [19,26,50].…”

“…A. m. sahariensis is short-tongued and adapted to the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and other Saharan flora. In parallel to this project, an LC-MS analysis of the three propolis samples [46] identified more than 20 compounds, and pinocembrin and pinobanksin-3-acetate were amongst the most abundant compounds identified in the extracts of the three locations. But, there were some differences between the extracts.…”