Propolis Extract and Its Bioactive Compounds-From Traditional to Modern Extraction Technologies

Area of Science:

• Natural Products Chemistry
• Pharmacology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Propolis, a honeybee product, possesses diverse pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities.
• The composition of propolis varies based on botanical and geographical origins, influencing its rich content of bioactive molecules, particularly polyphenols.
• Bioactive molecules in propolis are studied individually and as part of extracts, serving as potential markers for standardization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the pharmacological effects of representative propolis polyphenols and whole propolis extracts.
• To review and discuss various propolis extraction technologies, focusing on environmental friendliness and sustainability.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and comparative analysis of existing scientific data on propolis compounds and extracts.
• Examination of molecular targets and mechanisms of action for both individual polyphenols and whole propolis extracts.
• Overview of traditional and modern propolis extraction technologies.

Main Results:

• Polyphenols and propolis extracts demonstrate overlapping pharmacological actions, targeting pathways such as TNF/NF-κB and MAPK/ERK.
• Both exhibit similar antioxidant mechanisms, including the activation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway, and possess antimicrobial activity.
• The efficacy of propolis's pharmacological effects is contingent upon the efficiency of its compound extraction.

Conclusions:

• The pharmacological effects of propolis cannot be solely attributed to its most representative compounds.
• Extraction technologies play a crucial role in determining the reliability and sustainability of propolis extracts.
• Further research is needed to develop standardized, environmentally friendly, and sustainable propolis extraction methods.