Effect of Apis mellifera Propolis from Two Brazilian Regions on Caries Development in Desalivated Rats

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Apis mellifera propolis collected from two regions of Brazil on caries development in desalivated rats. Ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) were prepared from crude propolis samples collected in Minas Gerais state (MG), southeastern Brazil, and Rio Grande do Sul state (RS), southern Brazil. The flavonoid composition of EEP was analyzed by high–performance thin–layer chromatography (HPTLC) and reversed–phase high–performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For the animal study, 30 specific pathogen–free Wistar rats were infected with Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 and surgically desalivated. The rats were randomly divided into three groups which were treated with 80% ethanol (control), EEP from MG and EEP from RS. The animals were placed in a König–Höfer programmed feeder and received 17 meals of diet 2000 daily at hourly intervals. The solutions were applied on the rat molars (25 μl on molars of each quadrant) twice a day, by using graduate syringes. After 3 weeks, the animals were killed by CO₂ asphyxiation. For microbial assessment, the left jaw was removed and sonicated in 154 mM NaCl solution. Dental caries was evaluated according to Larson’s modification of Keyes’ system. The HPTLC patterns and HPLC profiles demonstrated that both quality and quantity of flavonoid aglycones of EEP from MG were different compared to EEP from RS. In general, it is apparent that EEP from RS contained the highest concentrations of pinocembrin, chrysin, acacetin and galangin. The group of animals treated with EEP from RS showed the lowest smooth–surface and sulcal caries scores as well as less caries severity in smooth–surface and sulcal lesions, and these data were statistically different when compared with the control group. The group treated with EEP from MG only demonstrated a significant difference in the severity of sulcal lesions when compared to the control group. The percentage of S. sobrinus was lower in the groups treated with EEP, but did not differ statistically from the control group. The results showed that the cariostatic effect of propolis depends on its composition, and consequently the region of collection of propolis samples.

The anti-caries activity and toxicity of an experimental propolis-containing varnish

“…10,15,16,23,32 In these studies, ethanolic extracts of propolis, or its bioactive fractions, were applied topically to the molars of rats twice a day for a period of 4 to 5 weeks. Overall, the authors observed anti-caries activity similar to that of Duraphat ® .…”

“…14 In addition, topical application of the ethanolic extract of other types of propolis was also found to effectively reduce the incidence and severity of carious lesions in vivo. 14,15,16 However, the biological effects of propolis may vary according to the geographical origin and chemical composition of the collected sample. 16 Varnishes are materials widely used in dentistry for the prevention of dental caries.…”

“…14,15,16 However, the biological effects of propolis may vary according to the geographical origin and chemical composition of the collected sample. 16 Varnishes are materials widely used in dentistry for the prevention of dental caries. 17 Some active principles can be incorporated into these formulations to promote and prolong their anti-caries effects, including fluoride, with remineralizing action, 18 and chlorhexidine, with antimicrobial action.…”

In vitro antimicrobial activity of endodontic pastes with propolis extracts and calcium hydroxide: a preliminary study

“…Studies on propolis applications have increased because of its therapeutic and biological properties (5,6). Current research involving propolis in dentistry spans many fields and highlights its antimicrobial and antiinflammatory activities, particularly in cariology, oral surgery, pathology, periodontics and endodontics (5,(7)(8)(9).…”

Isolamento e identificação de compostos com atividade antibacteriana da própolis vermelha brasileira

“…Existem vários relatos atribuindo à própolis as mais variadas aplicações na medicina popular e, de fato, os estudos vêm corroborando que a própolis possui um grande potencial terapêutico, principalmente em relação às atividades antimicrobiana, antiinflamatória, cicatrizante, anestésica, antitripanossomal (GHISALBERTI, 1979;MAREKOV, 1989;KHAYYAL;ELGHAZALY;ELKHATIB, 1993;KUJUMGIEV et al, 1999;MARCUCCI et al, 2001;ALENCAR, 2002;MONTPIED et al, 2003, ALENCAR et al, 2007, anticariogênica (PARK et al 1998a;PARK et al, 1998b;KOO et al, 1999;KOO et al, 2000a;KOO et al, 2000b;ROSALEN et al, 2002;MURATA et al, 2003;DUARTE et al, 2003;HAYACIBARA et al, 2005;CASTRO et al, 2007), antiviral, anticarcinogênica, antioxidante (BURDOCK, 1998MARCUCCI, 1996;CHEN et al, 1996;BANKSOTA et al, 2000;ALENCAR, 2002;CHEN et al, 2003;NAGAI et al, 2003;ASO et al, 2004;ISHIKAWA et al, 2004;NAKAYAMA, 2004;OLDONI, 2007) e fitotóxica (GHISALBERTI, 1979;JOHNSON;EISCHEN;GIANASSI, 1994).…”