[Composition, antifungal and radical scavenging activities of 4 propolis]

HPLC/MS analysis revealed that the main constituents of Brazilian propolis A and B were artepillin C and drupanin, while those of New Zealand propolis C were pinocembrin, galangin and alkylphenol. No flavonoid or phenolic acid was detected in Japanese propolis D. Propolis C showed comparatively potent activity against growth of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, against filament formation of Candida albicans and potent scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhyrazyl radical, but was less active against growth of C. albicans, as compared with those of thyme thymol essential oil, which was used as a positive control. Propolis A, B, and D were weak in antifungal activity, but showed more potent radical scavenging activity than thyme thymol oil. These results reveal the unique bioactivity of propolis, suggesting a possible application for antifungal therapy.