Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial profiles of selected compounds found in South African propolis

Propolis is a complex resinous substance manufactured by honey bees to scaffold and protect the hive against pathogens. Although it has been widely used for its medicinal properties, it is unknown whether the activity depends on the concentrations of specific constituents or on potentiation between...

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Main Authors: K. Du Toit, S. Buthelezi, J. Bodenstein
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academy of Science of South Africa 2009-11-01
Series:South African Journal of Science
Online Access:https://sajs.co.za/article/view/10234
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author K. Du Toit
S. Buthelezi
J. Bodenstein
author_facet K. Du Toit
S. Buthelezi
J. Bodenstein
author_sort K. Du Toit
collection DOAJ
description Propolis is a complex resinous substance manufactured by honey bees to scaffold and protect the hive against pathogens. Although it has been widely used for its medicinal properties, it is unknown whether the activity depends on the concentrations of specific constituents or on potentiation between these. This study describes (1) the individual topical anti-inflammatory activities of selected flavonoids commonly found in propolis, and (2) their antibacterial activities, alone or in combination with the non-flavonoid caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE). For the anti-inflammatory activities, the reduction in croton oil-induced oedema in a mouse model, after topical application of quercetin and galangin for 3 h, was more than 50%, while after 6 h of treatment the reduction was less then 50%. By contrast, the suppressive activity of luteolin was about 30% and 50%, for treatments of 3 h and 6 h, respectively. The maximum inhibition of the growth of Staphylococcus aureus by each of CAPE, eriodictyol and quercetin was about 20%, while luteolin was inactive. When combined with CAPE, potentiation of the antibacterial effect was observed in the case of luteolin, but antagonism was observed when combined with either eriodictyol or quercetin. The propolis flavonoids each appear to have significant anti-inflammatory activity while their antibacterial activities are somewhat weaker and significant only when luteolin was combined with CAPE.
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spelling doaj-art-616cf5e69a664902b64eec1f71ee700c2025-08-20T02:25:59ZengAcademy of Science of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Science1996-74892009-11-0110511/124704728415Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial profiles of selected compounds found in South African propolisK. Du Toit0S. Buthelezi1J. Bodenstein2Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000.Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000.Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa.Propolis is a complex resinous substance manufactured by honey bees to scaffold and protect the hive against pathogens. Although it has been widely used for its medicinal properties, it is unknown whether the activity depends on the concentrations of specific constituents or on potentiation between these. This study describes (1) the individual topical anti-inflammatory activities of selected flavonoids commonly found in propolis, and (2) their antibacterial activities, alone or in combination with the non-flavonoid caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE). For the anti-inflammatory activities, the reduction in croton oil-induced oedema in a mouse model, after topical application of quercetin and galangin for 3 h, was more than 50%, while after 6 h of treatment the reduction was less then 50%. By contrast, the suppressive activity of luteolin was about 30% and 50%, for treatments of 3 h and 6 h, respectively. The maximum inhibition of the growth of Staphylococcus aureus by each of CAPE, eriodictyol and quercetin was about 20%, while luteolin was inactive. When combined with CAPE, potentiation of the antibacterial effect was observed in the case of luteolin, but antagonism was observed when combined with either eriodictyol or quercetin. The propolis flavonoids each appear to have significant anti-inflammatory activity while their antibacterial activities are somewhat weaker and significant only when luteolin was combined with CAPE.https://sajs.co.za/article/view/10234
spellingShingle K. Du Toit
S. Buthelezi
J. Bodenstein
Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial profiles of selected compounds found in South African propolis
South African Journal of Science
title Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial profiles of selected compounds found in South African propolis
title_full Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial profiles of selected compounds found in South African propolis
title_fullStr Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial profiles of selected compounds found in South African propolis
title_full_unstemmed Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial profiles of selected compounds found in South African propolis
title_short Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial profiles of selected compounds found in South African propolis
title_sort anti inflammatory and antibacterial profiles of selected compounds found in south african propolis
url https://sajs.co.za/article/view/10234
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AT jbodenstein antiinflammatoryandantibacterialprofilesofselectedcompoundsfoundinsouthafricanpropolis