Assessment of the Mutagenic Activity of Extracts of Brazilian Propolis in Topical Pharmaceutical Formulations on Mammalian Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract

Propolis possesses various biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anesthetic and antioxidant properties. A topically applied product based on Brazilian green propolis was developed for the treatment of burns. For such substance to be used more safely in future clinical applications, the present study evaluated the mutagenic potential of topical formulations supplemented with green propolis extract (1.2, 2.4 and 3.6%) based on the analysis of chromosomal aberrations and of micronuclei. In the in vitro studies, 3-h pulse (G1 phase of the cell cycle) and continuous (20 h) treatments were performed. In the in vivo assessment, the animals were injured on the back and then submitted to acute (24 h), subacute (7 days) and subchronic (30 days) treatments consisting of daily dermal applications of gels containing different concentrations of propolis. Similar frequencies of chromosomal aberrations were observed for cultures submitted to 3-h pulse and continuous treatment with gels containing different propolis concentrations and cultures not submitted to any treatment. However, in the continuous treatment cultures treated with the 3.6% propolis gel presented significantly lower mitotic indices than the negative control. No statistically significant differences in the frequencies of micronuclei were observed between animals treated with gels containing different concentrations of propolis and the negative control for the three treatment times. Under the present conditions, topical formulations containing different concentrations of green propolis used for the treatment of burns showed no mutagenic effect in either test system, but 3.6% propolis gel was found to be cytotoxic in the in vitro test.

Efficacy of Propolis on the Denture Stomatitis Treatment in Older Adults: A Multicentric Randomized Trial

“…Previous studies in vitro and in vivo models have demonstrated the absence of cytotoxic and mutagenic potential of propolis gel [12, 22]. Based on these previous studies, the composition used in the present study was determined.…”

“…In previous studies, the safety of standardized extract of propolis (EPP-AF) has been demonstrated, showing that it is a noncytotoxic product and has no mutagenic potential with either oral or topic use [12, 13]. Moreover, EPP-AF has anti-inflammatory [13, 14], antiulcer [15], wound healing, antimicrobial [16, 17], and fungicidal activities [11, 18–21].…”

Propolis and Its Potential to Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders

“…The external use of propolis is defined by the application of pharmaceutical or natural products on the surface or point of illness [ 23 ]. External uses of propolis (EUP) include the use of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and oral products such as ointment [ 24 ], gel [ 25 ], and mouthwash [ 26 ].…”

A Comparative Study on Propolis and Pollen Extracts: Chemical Profile Analysis, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity

“…Currently, more than 300 compounds, such as phenolic acid, terpenes, cinnamic acid, caffeic acid, several esters, and flavonoids have been identified as constituents of propolis from different geographic origins (Senedese et al, 2011;Huang et al, 2014). Propolis exerts numerous pharmacological benefits such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and immunomodulatory activities (Basim et al, 2006;Kaewmuangmoon et al, 2012;Hongzhuan et al, 2014).…”