Impact of Plant Origin on Eurasian Propolis on Phenolic Profile and Classical Antioxidant Activity

Abstract

Propolis is a bee product with known medical properties, including antioxidant activity. The scope of the study is profiling 19 different Eurasian propolis samples (mostly from Russia and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Ukraine, and Slovakia). Profiles of propolises were investigated by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector–mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-MS). Classical antioxidant properties, which are based on electron donation mechanism, were assessed by DPPH, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also evaluated by colorimetric tests. Most of the samples exhibited significant content of polyphenols (from 30.28 to 145.24 mg GAE/g of propolis) and flavonoids (from 10.45 to 82.71 mg GAE/g of propolis). Most of the propolis samples exhibited potent antiradical (DPPH test—from 8.83 to 64.47 mg GAE/g of propolis) and reducing activity (FRAP test—from 0.08 to 1.17 mmol Fe2+/g of propolis). Based on the occurrence of marker compounds, propolis samples were classified as poplar, aspen–birch, aspen–poplar, and aspen–birch–poplar type. Main markers present in propolis of poplar (e.g., chrysin, pinocembrin, galangin, and 3-O-acetyl-pinobanksin), birch (ermanin and acacetin) and aspen (2-acetyl-1,3-di-p-coumaroylglycerol) origin were used. DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC tests results were correlated with flavonoids, total polyphenols, or the polyphenols other than flavonoids content. In term of activity, poplar propolis type was variable, while aspen–birch–poplar type usually exhibited high DPPH and FRAP activity.

The Oral Wound Healing Potential of Thai Propolis Based on Its Antioxidant Activity and Stimulation of Oral Fibroblast Migration and Proliferation

“…This hypothesis may be supported by the high amount of triterpenoids in HEP. Our results were consistent with previous studies [ 37 , 41 , 60 ]. However, our findings did not agree with other previous studies that demonstrated that polar solvents were better at extracting antioxidants from propolis and by extension improved the antioxidant properties compared with nonpolar solvents [ 15 , 61 ].…”

“…The relationship between antioxidant activity and the chemical composition of propolis from different origins has been investigated by several groups [ 64 – 67 ]. These studies suggest that the high antioxidant activity of propolis is related to its high content of polyphenolic compounds, such as flavonoids [ 13 , 60 ]. This suggests that different compositions in different propolis samples may exhibit some similar functions, such as antioxidant activity.…”

Comparison of Ethanolic and Aqueous Populus balsamifera L. Bud Extracts by Different Extraction Methods: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities

“…The use of raw plant material and bee products for cosmetic and pharmaceutical purposes depends on cumulative polyphenols and their quantity. Bee products have been greatly valued since ancient times, especially propolis, as it is rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids [4,5]. Propolis was widely used for wound and skin care, for the treatment of bacterial and viral upper respiratory tract infections, for immune system strengthening and for the treatment of gastric problems [6,7].…”

Chemical Profiling, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activity of Saudi Propolis Collected by Arabian Honey Bee (Apis mellifera jemenitica) Colonies

“…Chrysin is thought to be involved in different biological mechanisms as it performs a protective role against oxidative stress, neurodegeneration, cancer, and inflammation. Okińczyc, et al [ 44 ] collected Eurasian samples of 19 different types of propolis, mainly from regions in Russia and Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Ukraine, and Slovakia. The propolis from poplar constituted chrysin, rutin, and apigenin.…”