Propolis is a resinous substance collected and processed by Apis mellifera from parts of plants, buds and exudates. In Minas Gerais (MG) state, Brazil, green propolis is produced from the collection of resinous substance found in shoot apices of Baccharis dracunculifolia. This paper aims to investigate the chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant, anti-Helicobacter pylori, antimycobacterial and antiproliferative activities of essential oil (EO) from Brazilian green propolis (BGP-EO). The oil showed high antibacterial activity against H. pylori (MIC = 6.25 µg/mL), Mycobacterium avium (MIC = 62.5 µg/mL) and M. tuberculosis (MIC = 64 µg/mL). Its antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro by both DPPH (IC50 = 23.48 µg/mL) and ABTS (IC50 = 32.18 µg/mL) methods. The antiproliferative activity in normal (GM07492A, lung fibroblasts)
HIGHLIGHTS The chemical composition of propolis varies according to the region where it is produced. Production of green propolis in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, is related to the high amount of resin yielded by Baccharis dracunculifolia. Major compounds found in essential oil from Brazilian green propolis were carvacrol, acetophenone, spathulenol, (E)-nerolidol and β-caryophyllene. Brazilian green propolis showed high antibacterial, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities.