Aims: Phenolic compounds with various biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activity are considered as key compounds in propolis. In this study, propolis was obtained in Kuantan, Pahang and is known to be collected from stingless honey bee Trigona thoracica. The objective of this study is to extract propolis using surfactant vitamin E d-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (Vitamin E TPGS) and evaluate its antimicrobial activity compared to water and ethanolic propolis extracts. Methodology and results: Quantitative determinations of phenolic acid and flavonoid such as caffeic acid and quercetin, respectively in propolis extracts were conducted by using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). As a result, 70% ethanol extracted propolis (EEP), water extracted propolis (WEP) and 0.02% vitamin E TPGS extracted propolis successfully demonstrate the presence of hydrophilic caffeic acid, while only 70% EEP and 0.02% vitamin E TPGS extracted propolis show the presence of hydrophobic quercetin. Lastly, antimicrobial testing was conducted towards Staphylococcus aureus by using all three different propolis extracts. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The results showed EEP and vitamin E TPGS propolis extracts exhibit higher antimicrobial activity compared to the WEP.
Propolis ; Anti-Infective Agents

Honey ; Propolis ; Arthrodermataceae ; Candida

Propolis or bee glue is a product produced by bees, and has been used as a constituent in folk medicinal remedies in many parts of the world. Although allergic contact dermatitis to propolis is reported occasionally in beekeepers, its major occurrence is in persons who make use of natural- product remedies or of "biocosmetics", many of which are derived from beeswax or contain it. We report a case of non-occupational allergic contact dermatitis derived from the use of propolis ointment in the treatment of eczema. Our patient exhibited a simultaneous positive patch test to propolis and balsam of Peru.
Bees ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact* ; Eczema ; Humans ; Patch Tests ; Peru ; Propolis*

The antifungal activities of propolis on Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans were evaluated. In microbroth culture assay, the MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of propolis for C. neoformans and C. albicans were 2 and 16 mg/ml, respectively. In propolis-included solid medium assay, the MIC of propolis for C. neoformans and C. albicans were 4 and 16 mg/ml, respectively. Propolis showed fungicidal activity against C. neoformans, whereas propolis possesed fungistatic activity against C. albicans. The MFC (minimum fungicidal concentration) for C. neoformans was 8 mg/ml. Cell morphology of C. neoformans was affected by treatment of propolis. In scanning electron microscope, the appearance of cell rupture was observed.
Candida albicans* ; Candida* ; Cryptococcus neoformans* ; Cryptococcus* ; Propolis* ; Rupture

Heart Diseases/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Parkinson Disease/drug therapy* ; Propolis

It is a gel type high functional toothpaste containing vitamin C, E, propolis extract and the rest of herb with a nanoemulsion state. Vitamin C, E is known as the material with an eminent anti-oxidation effect. Propolis is known as the material with an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect. We have been succeeding in making nanoemulsion of vitamin C, E and propolis through the high pressure homogenizer using stable oil and lecithin and the gel type high functional tooth paste were made from nanoemulsion of vitamin C, E and propolis. We observed the process of wound protecting effect and cure effect for a wound of soft tissue, gingival tissue and mucous membrane showing ulcer and inflammation in oral cavity after applying a gel type high functional toothpaste to patient. As a result, the wound were healed very fast and any side effects were not shown. We confirmed that a gel type high functional toothpaste with nanoemulsion of vitamin C, E and propolis extract has good effect not only for wound healing but also for treatment of ulcer-like lesion in oral cavity. So we report our cases with review of literatures.
Ascorbic Acid ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lecithins ; Mouth ; Mucous Membrane ; Propolis ; Tooth* ; Toothpastes ; Ulcer ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries*

Propolis or bee-glue, a resinous bee-hive product, is widely used in foreign countries as a medicinal remedy and in cosmetics. However, it is thought to be the cause of an increasing number of cases of allergic contact dermatitis. More than 180 constituents have been found in propolis and the major sensitizers are 3-methyl-2-butenyl caffeate and phenylethyl caffeate. We report a case of allergic contact dermatitis caused by a propolis tincture that was used in the treatment of a skin wound. Patch test results showed a positive reaction to both propolis and benzoin tinctures, but a negative reaction to fucidic acid. Because benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, esters of cinnamic acid, and vanillin are ingredients common to propolis and benzoin tinctures, these minor sensitizers are suspected as being the cause of allergic contact dermatitis in this case.
Benzoic Acid ; Benzoin ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact* ; Esters ; Patch Tests ; Propolis* ; Skin ; Wounds and Injuries

The propolis, honey bee hive product, is a folk medicine for treating various ailrnents and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is an extract of propolis. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ethanol extracted propolis (EEP) or CAPE on the tumorigenesis, pulmonary metastases, and proliferation and activity of splenocytes and macrophages in ICR mice. EEP at 0.2, 2 or 20mg/ml applied topically on the back of each mice 30 minutes before application of 7,12-dimethylbenz (a)anthracene and 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate inhibited the number of tumors per mouse by 61, 75 or 100%, respectively. ...continue...
Animals ; Bees ; Carcinogenesis* ; Ethanol ; Honey ; Macrophages* ; Medicine, Traditional ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Propolis*

Propolis, also known as 'bee glue' is a wax-like resinous material that is collected from trees by honeybees to protect and repair their hives. This compound is widely used in folk medicine and in the biocosmetic industry for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and anesthetic properties. Because of its sensitizing activity, a number of cases of allergic contact dermatitis to propolis have been reported. Despite this, very few cases of allergic contact dermatitis specifically on the lips and oral mucosa have been reported thus far. We herein report a rare case of allergic contact dermatitis to propolis, presented with cheilitis and oral mucositis caused by a propolis solution that had been used for the treatment of aphthous ulcer.
Cheilitis ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Lip ; Medicine, Traditional ; Mouth Mucosa ; Propolis ; Stomatitis ; Stomatitis, Aphthous ; Trees ; Urticaria

Propolis, also known as bee glue, is a substance collected by worker bees and it is used as a material for constructing and maintaining their beehives. It has been used topically and orally by humans for its anti-inflammatory properties. However, the growing use of propolis has been paralleled by reports of allergic contact dermatitis as a reaction to the substance. Contact dermatitis with generalized cutaneous manifestations elicited by propolis ingestion has not been previously reported. Here we report on the first case of systemic contact dermatitis from propolis ingestion in a 36-year-old woman.
Adult ; Bees ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Eating ; Female ; Humans ; Propolis