Chemical and biological characteristics of propolis from Apis mellifera caucasica from the Ardahan and Erzurum provinces of Turkey: a comparative study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the biological activities of ethanolic propolis extracts of Apis mellifera caucasica obtained from Ardahan and Erzurum provinces of Turkey. Samples were tested for antioxidant, anticytotoxic, anticarcinogenic, antibacterial, and antifungal potentials using different techniques. Propolis samples from the two provinces had different mineral and organic compositions related to their geographical origin. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) test showed superiority of Ardahan propolis over the Erzurum. Regardless of origin and the presence of mitomycin C in the culture medium, propolis enhanced human peripheral lymphocyte viability, which depended on the duration and propolis concentration. Antiperoxidative activity on MCF-7 breast cancer cells was concentration-dependent. Erzurum propolis showed the highest anticarcinogenic activity at the concentrations of 62.5 µg/mL and 125 µg/ mL, which dropped at higher concentrations. All propolis samples also showed antibacterial activity against the tested human pathogens similar to ampicillin and penicillin controls, except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, they did not exert any antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Yarrowia lipolytica. In conclusion, propolis samples from both provinces showed promising biological activities, but further research should focus on finding the right concentrations for optimal effect and include the cell necrosis pathway to get a better idea of the anticarcinogenic effects.

Polifenóis e minerais na própolis de diferentes regiões agrícolas do Uruguai

“…Propolis from the same locality with the same soils and vegetation should be similar in mineral content. In Turkey, propolis from nearby regions (Ardahan and Erzurum) do not show differences in minerals, attributed to their geographical proximity (54) . The minerals in propolis are explained by those naturally present in resins, those added by bees in the process and others that arrive as external contaminants.…”

Fatores De Heterogeneidade Do Potencial Antioxidante Da Própolis Da Abelha Apis Mellifera: Uma Revisão

“…A composição química da própolis varia enormemente de acordo com as espécies vegetais disponíveis na região (2,18). Além disso, outros fatores podem infl uenciar nesse quesito, como a espécie e raça da abelha (20), perfi l genético da rainha (3,6), outros componentes misturados a própolis, umidade, altitude (21), sazonalidade (2). Soma-se a isso, ainda, as diferenças na forma de coleta, preparo de extrato e análise, difi cultando ainda mais a comparação entre o grande volume de estudos contendo própolis e formulação de técnicas unifi cadas.…”