The mechanism of action of Russian propolis ethanol extracts against two antibiotic-resistant biofilm-forming bacteria

Abstract

Most strains of bacteria and subsequently biofilms, have evolved and have altered their chemical composition in an attempt to protect themselves from antibiotics. The resistant nature of bacteria stems from the chemical rather than the physical means of inactivation of antibiotics. The results uncovered in this work demonstrate the potential application of Russian propolis ethanol extracts as a very efficient and effective method for bacterial and biofilm inactivation.

Propolis: types, composition, biological activities, and veterinary product patent prospecting

“…The A61K35/64 and A61k66/00 codes describe medicinal preparations containing insect products or materials (for example, from bees, wasps, or fleas) and medicinal preparations with an undetermined constitution containing algae, lichen, fungi, or plant material or its derivate products, respectively. The antimicrobial action is the main biological activity of propolis included in the animal health research area, including antibiotic and antifungal activities.…”

Insight on Propolis from Mediterranean Countries: Chemical Composition, Biological Activities and Application Fields

“…Kuma-Maria G. C. Miguel is Associate Professor with Habilitation at University of Algarve and senior researcher at MeditBio -Center for Mediterranean Bioresources and Food. She obtained her degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Faculty of Pharmacy of Lisbon (1985), Master in Plant Biotechnology at the Faculty of Sciences of zawa et al [35] reported that East Andalusian ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) was mainly composed by flavonoids ( Figure 1) such as pinobanksin (1), chrysin (2), pinocembrin (3), and pinobanksin-3-acetate (4) and phenolic acids ( Figure 2) such as caffeic acid (5), pcoumaric (6) and ferulic (7) acids. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) (8) was also mentioned to be present in Spanish propolis samples.…”

“…Propolis, from the Greek 'pro' = 'in front' or 'in defense' and 'polis' = 'the city', meaning 'defense of the hive', is a strongly adhesive natural mixture manufactured by honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) from the buds or exudates of plants of the native vegetation near their hive. [1] Propolis is used by bees to seal holes in hives, smooth out the internal walls making the hive defensible and as a barrier against external invaders and diseases, thermal insulation, humidity and wind. [2] Propolis has been used by mankind since the ancient times (~3000 BC), it has been extensively utilized by several civilizations as antiseptic and a raw material for numerous preparations, perfume, health foods and beverages.…”

Antimicrobial and antiviral properties of different types of propolis

“…Research indicates structural rather than functional EEP. Propolis extracts affect the cell membrane damage, resulting in cell lysis and bacterial death [Bryan et al 2015].…”