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An Insight on the Biomedical Potential of Portuguese Propolis from Gerês
Carina Araújo1,2, Rafaela Dias Oliveira1,2,3,4, Filipa Pinto-Ribeiro2,3
1Biology Department, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
Abstract:
Osteoarthritis (OA), a progressive degenerative disease of weight-bearing joints, is the second leading cause of disability in the world. Despite all the advances and research over the last years, none of the proposed strategies has been effective in generating functional and long-lasting tissue. Due to the high prevalence of OA and the urgent need for an effective and successful treatment, interest in natural products as anti-inflammatory agents, such as propolis and its components, has emerged. In this work, we estimate the biomedical potential of Portuguese propolis, evaluating the in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of single hydroalcoholic extracts prepared with propolis from Gerês sampled over a five-year period (2011-2015) (G.EE70 and G.EE35). The in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory potential of the hydroalcoholic extract of mixtures of the same samples (mG.EE70 and mG.EE35) was evaluated for the first time too. DPPH• radical scavenging and superoxide anion scavenging assays showed the strong antioxidant potential of both hydroalcoholic extracts, either prepared from single propolis samples or from the mixtures of the same samples. Results also revealed an anti-inflammatory effect of mG.EE35, both in vitro by inhibiting BSA denaturation and in vivo in the OA-induced model by improving mechanical hyperalgesia as well as the gait pattern parameters. Results further support the use of propolis blends as a better and more efficient approach to take full advantage of the bioactive potential of propolis.
Insights
Portuguese propolis extracts demonstrate significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Blended propolis (mG.EE35) effectively reduced pain and improved mobility in an osteoarthritis model, suggesting its therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Natural Products Research
- Biomedical Science
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability globally, with limited effective regenerative treatments.
- Natural products, particularly propolis, are gaining attention for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential.
- There is an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies for OA management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biomedical potential of Portuguese propolis from Gerês.
- To assess the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of single and blended propolis hydroalcoholic extracts.
- To explore the efficacy of propolis blends in an osteoarthritis model.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of single (G.EE70, G.EE35) and blended (mG.EE70, mG.EE35) hydroalcoholic propolis extracts.
- In vitro antioxidant assays: DPPH radical scavenging and superoxide anion scavenging.
- In vitro anti-inflammatory assay: BSA denaturation inhibition.
- In vivo anti-inflammatory evaluation in an OA-induced model, assessing mechanical hyperalgesia and gait parameters.
Main Results:
- Both single and blended propolis extracts exhibited strong antioxidant potential.
- The blended extract mG.EE35 demonstrated significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting BSA denaturation.
- In vivo studies showed that mG.EE35 improved mechanical hyperalgesia and gait parameters in an OA model.
Conclusions:
- Portuguese propolis possesses notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Propolis blends, specifically mG.EE35, show promise as an effective treatment for osteoarthritis.
- Utilizing propolis blends offers a more efficient approach to harness the full bioactive potential of propolis for therapeutic applications.
