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The study was based on the use of a toothpaste with antiphlogistic activity, containing Australian Melaleuca alternifolia oil (tea tree oil—TTO) and ethanolic extract of Polish propolis (EEP). Fifty-one patients with varying conditions of the gingiva were divided into two groups. The study group received the toothpaste with TTO and EEP, while the control group received the same toothpaste but without TTO and EEP. Approximal plaque index (API), simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-s) and modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI) were assessed in three subsequent stages. During each examination, swabs were employed for microbiological inoculation. During the period of use of toothpastes with TTO and EEP, a significant reduction of the API was observed, as assessed upon the control visit after 7 days and after 28 days, compared to baseline. A statistically significant reduction of mSBI was observed after 7 and 28 days of using the toothpaste with TTO and EEP, as compared to the value upon the initial visit. Statistically significant differences in the OHI-s value were observed in the study group, which was using the active toothpaste. The use of a toothpaste containing TTO and EEP helps to maintain microbiome balance. The observed stabilisation of bacterial microflora confirms the beneficial activity of toothpaste containing EEP and TTO compared to the control group, where the lack of these substances contributed to the emergence of qualitative and quantitative changes in oral microbiome.

The variations in the chemical composition, and consequently, on the biological activity of the propolis, are associated with its type and geographic origin. Considering this fact, this study evaluated propolis extracts obtained by supercritical extraction (SCO2) and ethanolic extraction (EtOH), in eight samples of different types of propolis (red, green and brown), collected from different regions in Brazil. The content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS), Artepillin C, p-coumaric acid and antimicrobial activity against two bacteria were determined for all extracts. For the EtOH extracts, the anti-proliferative activity regarding the cell lines of B16F10, were also evaluated. Amongst the samples evaluated, the red propolis from the Brazilian Northeast (states of Sergipe and Alagoas) showed the higher biological potential, as well as the larger content of antioxidant compounds. The best results were shown for the extracts obtained through the conventional extraction method (EtOH). However, the highest concentrations of Artepillin C and p-coumaric acid were identified in the extracts from SCO2, indicating a higher selectivity for the extraction of these compounds. It was verified that the composition and biological activity of the Brazilian propolis vary significantly, depending on the type of sample and geographical area of collection.

Stingless bee propolis has gained global attention as a novel source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in food and medicine to promote human health. However, research on Australian stingless bee propolis remains limited as much of propolis is discarded by Australian beekeepers due to a lack of understanding its value. This study aimed to assess and compare the quality and chemical diversity of propolis from two Australian stingless bee species Tetragonula carbonaria and Tetragonula hockingsi across Queensland and New South Wales. Chemical assays revealed that T. hockingsi propolis had significantly higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents than T. carbonaria . Australian stingless bee propolis also showed high phenolic but moderate flavonoid content compared to international propolis sources. The phenolic content displayed geographical dependence, decreasing from northern to southern regions. The analyses of uHPLC-QTOF MS and 1 H NMR profiling identified nine distinct propolis types, showcasing diverse chemical composition with the presence of flavan-3-ol, dihydroflavonol, flavanone, tannin, lignan, phenolic acid, cinnamic acid glycoside, chalcone, and alkyl-phenylketone compounds. These findings provide a foundation for future research into the value and therapeutic potential of Australian stingless bee propolis products, contributing to the development of the Australian propolis industry.

Chemical composition of propolis depends on the plant source and thus on the geographic and climatic characteristics of the site of collection. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical profile of Greek and Chinese propolis extracts from different regions and suggest similarities and differences between them. Untargeted ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) method was developed and 22 and 23 propolis samples from Greece and China, respectively, were analyzed. The experimental data led to the observation that there is considerable variability in terms of quality of the distinctive propolis samples. Partial least squares - discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models were constructed and allowed the identification of significant features for sample discrimination, adding relevant information for the identification of class-determining metabolites. Chinese samples overexpressed compounds that are characteristic of the poplar type propolis, whereas Greek samples overexpress the latter and the diterpenes characteristic of the Mediterranean propolis type.

The bioaccumulation of pesticides in honeybee products (HBPs) should be studied for a number of reasons. The presence of pesticides in HBPs can provide new data on the risk related to the use of pesticides and their role in bee colony losses. Moreover, the degree of contamination of HBPs can lower their quality, weaken their beneficial properties, and, in consequence, may endanger human health. The aim of this study was to quantify a broad range of pesticide residues in three different HBPs—bee pollen, propolis, and royal jelly. Samples were collected in the years 2017–2019 from the apiary in west-central Poland. Bee products were analyzed for the presence of over 550 pesticides using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method. Twenty-nine of the contaminants were quantified at least in one of the samples. Nine of them exceeded the maximum residue levels for honey. It should be noted that any dose of pesticides can cause a health hazard due to toxicity, since these substances may act synergistically. This current study revealed the high need for the pesticide monitoring of HBPs and proved that there is a need to expand the European Union Pesticides Database to include more HBPs.

The botanical source of Brazilian green propolis (BGP) is Baccharis dracunculifolia DC, which interacts not only with Apis mellifera, but also with galling insects. In the last decade, because of green propolis´ important biologic activities, the international demand for BGP overcame the production capacity, consequently, new approaches are required to increase this production. Hence, the understanding of the chemical ecology interactions of B. dracunculifolia with galls and bees in field conditions may provide insights to increase BGP’s production. A “bee pasture” experiment aiming to better understand this plant-insect interaction was therefore performed. For that, 48 B. dracunculifolia individuals, being 24 females and 24 males, were cultivated and investigated for the following parameters: (1) phenolic and volatile compounds in both B. dracunculifolia leaves and green propolis, (2) environmental variables, (3) visiting rate by bees, (4) time of resin collection, and (5) number of galls. Regression analyses by independent linear mixed-effect models were run to correlate phenolic and volatile compounds concentration with the environmental and field variables. Significant differences in chemical profile and field variables were observed between male and female plants. Male plants showed higher infestation by galling insects while female plants showed higher number of visiting bees, time of resin collection and terpenes concentration, contributing to the differences observed in the field. The obtained results suggest that increasing the percentage of female B. dracunculifolia plants in the field may attract more bees and therefore enhance propolis production.

Propolis is a complex mixture of natural compounds, including resinous terpenoids, flavonoids, aromatic acids, and essential oils, and has strong antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. The chemical composition of propolis determines its properties and strongly depends on a wide variety of different plant sources, as well as other climate and environmental parameters. In order to determine the main compounds, in this study, we applied an integrated analysis of propolis by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to characterize and compare the phytochemical profiles of selected bioactive materials in raw propolis. TLC served as a rapid, cost-effective, and highly visual technique to separate and identify key constituents, including terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds in propolis, without a need for further precleaning steps after performing ultrasonic extraction. Complementary methods, such as FTIR spectroscopy, were employed to validate and quantify the active components detected through TLC screening. In addition, the UV-VIS method revealed the solubility of raw propolis in different solvents, after testing for coffee ring effects. The results confirmed that the complex structure of the raw sample can be more thoroughly revealed by two-dimensional TLC, which enables not only rapid and verifiable qualitative results but also detection of overlapping spots. Moreover, by comparing the results with data from the literature, not only can particular chemical compounds be efficiently determined by TLC but also the regional origin of samples.

Bee Bread samples from Romania and India were analysed by microscopy and High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detection (HPLC/DAD) and compared with pollen from the correspondent taxa. The quantification of sugars, fructose/glucose ratio, total phenolics and flavonoids was also carried out. From the results was possible to identify Brassica and Eucalyptus samples that present similar HPLC/DAD profiles with the respective ultraviolet (UV) identification of the main compounds as Kaempferol-3-O-glycosides and Hydrocinnamic acid derivatives. The Fructose/Glucose (F/G) ratio and the total amounts of phenolics and flavonoids was in line with the prevalence of the specie identified. These coincident fingerprints gave the identification of the samples, as was previously proposed for bee pollens. This paper relates for the first time the achievement on the taxon carried out previously only for bee pollens. It was reported for the first time that this phenolic profile remains unchanged in the case of floral pollen (hand collected), bee pollen and bee bread. Despite the biochemical transformation that occurs during the fermentation of bee bread, it seems that these phenolic compounds are not affected and remain unchanged. Also, variables such as soil and climate do not seem to influence these compounds for the kind of samples under study.

Propolis produced by the stingless bee Lisotrigona cacciae was studied for the first time. Using different chromatographic procedures, a total of eighteen constituents (phenols and triterpenes) were isolated, among which flavane 1, homoisoflavanes 2-4, and xanthones 5 and 6 were new for propolis. Propolis extract was also characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and other fifteen constituents were identified. The xanthone α-mangostin (8) demonstrated significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC and MBC 0.31 μg/ml, followed by 7,4'-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-8-methylflavane (1) with MIC 78 μg/ml and MBC 156 μg/ml. 10,11- Dihydroxydracaenone C (4), a component bearing ortho-hydroxyl groups, was the only compound displaying radical scavenging ability. Triple botanical origin of the sample was defined, consisting of Dracaena cochinchinensis, Cratoxylum cochinchinense and Mangifera indica. D. cochinchinensis is a new resin source of propolis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by the production of inflammatory factors. In order to overcome the side effects of currently used anti-inflammatory drugs, several attempts have been made to identify natural products capable of relieving RA symptoms. In this work, a herbal preparation consisting of propolis, pomegranate peel, and Aglianico grape pomace (PPP) extracts (4:1:1) was designed and evaluated for its effect on a murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. Firstly, the chemical contents of four different Italian propolis collected in the Campania region (Italy) were here reported for the first time. LC-MS analyses showed the presence of 38 constituents, identified in all propolis extracts, belonging to flavonoids and phenolic acids classes. The Pietradefusi extract was the richest one and thus was selected to design the PPP preparation for the in vivo assay. Our results highlight the impact of PPP on RA onset and progression. By using in vivo CIA models, the treatment with PPP resulted in a delayed onset of the disease and alleviated the severity of the clinical symptoms. Furthermore, we demonstrated that early PPP treatment was associated with a reduction in serum levels of IL-17, IL-1b, and IL-17–triggering cytokines.