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Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Extraction and Analysis of Taiwanese Green Propolis
Published on: January 7, 2019
Propolis nanoparticles prevent structural changes in human hemoglobin during glycation and fructation.
Fatemeh Kazemi1, Adeleh Divsalar2, Ali Akbar Saboury1
1Institute of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Nano-propolis particles (PNP) show significant potential in combating diabetes by inhibiting advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation. These natural nanoparticles, when combined with aspirin, offer enhanced anti-glycation effects for diabetic treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is a growing metabolic disorder with complications linked to advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
- Synthetic anti-diabetic drugs have side effects, increasing interest in natural alternatives like propolis.
- Nanotechnology offers new therapeutic approaches, leading to the preparation of nano-propolis particles (PNP).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-glycation effects of nano-propolis particles (PNP) on human hemoglobin (Hb).
- To compare the efficacy of PNP with aspirin, a common anti-glycation agent.
- To explore the protective role of PNP against heme degradation during glycation.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of nano-propolis particles (PNP).
- Assessment of anti-glycation and anti-fructation effects using fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and circular dichroism (CD).
- Evaluation of AGEs formation and Hb structural changes.
Main Results:
- PNP effectively inhibited the formation of AGEs during glucose-induced Hb glycation and fructose-induced Hb fructation.
- PNP demonstrated a protective effect on heme during Hb glycation and fructation.
- PNP altered Hb secondary structure, increasing beta-sheet content and decreasing alpha-helical content.
- Synergistic anti-glycation effects were observed when PNP was combined with aspirin.
Conclusions:
- Nano-propolis particles (PNP) exhibit significant anti-glycation properties and hold potential as a natural therapeutic agent for diabetes.
- PNP may offer a safer alternative or complementary treatment to conventional drugs, with enhanced efficacy when combined with aspirin.
- The study highlights the protective role of PNP against Hb glycation-induced damage.
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