Phenolic Composition, Antiradical, Antimicrobial, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Propolis Extracts from North East Spain

Antioxidant-related parameters and anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities against Listeria monocytogenes were assessed in eight North East Spain poplar propolis samples. Propolis extracts (PEs) were obtained using 70% ethanol (PEE) and methanol (PME). Yield and total phenol compounds were higher in PEE. Phenolic acids were analyzed by a high-performance liquid chromatograph-diode array detector. Caffeic and ferulic acids were quantified in all PEE and PME. All samples contained p-coumaric acid (quantified in 6 PEE and in 3 PME). Ascorbic acid was detected in all propolis, but mainly quantified in PME (≤0.37 mg/g PE). Biological properties were tested on PEE. As for antiradical activities, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) [against 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)•+], ranged between 578 and 4620 µmol trolox/g, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (against DPPH free radical), between 0.049 and 0.094 mg/mL, antioxidant activity against hydroxyl (•OH) radical (AOA), between 0.04 and 11.01 mmol uric acid/g, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) against peroxyl (ROO•) radical between 122 and 3282 µmol trolox/g. Results of TEAC, AOA, and ORAC were significantly correlated. IC50 anti-inflammatory activity ranged from 1.08 to 6.19 mg/mL. Propolis showed higher inhibitory activity against L. monocytogenes CECT934 and L. monocytogenes CP101 by agar well diffusion (P < .05) (10.5 and 10.2 mm, respectively) than against L. monocytogenes CP102 (7.0 mm). Data of this research show that North East Spain propolis may be of interest for pharmaceutical and food industry use.

Phytochemical Composition and Insight into Antibacterial Potential of Origanum vulgare Essential Oil from Saudi Arabia Using In Vitro and In Silico Approaches

In Saudi Arabia, Origanum vulgare is widely disseminated. In the present work, we used GC-MS analysis to identify the components of Origanum vulgare essential oil. The disc diffusion assay was used to assess the essential oil’s in vitro antibacterial efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The antimicrobial efficacy against many microbial proteins, including tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS), DNA gyrase, and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), was further evaluated using molecular docking. Eighteen compounds were identified using GC-MS analysis, which constituted 99.81% of the total essential oil content. Terpinen-4-ol (34.3%), Beta-Terpineol (16.96%), 3-Epimoretenol (11.84%), and Alpha-Terpineol (3.86%) were the main substances identified. According to the antibacterial investigation, the inhibition zone against Staphylococcus aureus was 8 mm and 6 mm against Escherichia coli. High affinities were found between 3-Epimoretenol and tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) compared to positive controls (Clorobiocin, SCHEMBL2181345); the affinity values were −8.3 Kcal/mol and −9.2, respectively. The results of the present study indicate that Origanum vulgare essential oil can be used as a nutraceutical to treat infectious diseases.

Chemical Profile, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Potential of Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton Essential Oils and Extracts

The aim of this work was to study the chemical composition of the essential oil extracted from ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and cardamom seeds (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton). Using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), a total of 43 compounds were identified in ginger essential oil and 17 compounds in cardamom. The most abundant components, respectively, were zingiberene (22.18%) and 1.8-cinéol (43.47%). Essential oils, methanol, ethanol and chloroform extracts for both plants were tested against nine bacteria and yeast. The highest sensitivity was noticed against Staphylococcus aureus with a 25 mm inhibition zone. The antioxidant potency of both oils and extracts were measured using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) free radical scavenging and the ferric reducing power (FRP) method; the ethanolic extract of cardamom fruits exhibited the best results for both tests, with an IC 50 = 0.423 ± 0.015 mg/mL and 95.03 ± 0.076 FRP mg AAE/g.

Physicochemical characterization and in vitro evaluation of the antioxidant and anticandidal activities of Moroccan propolis

Background and Aim:

Human mycotic infections are one of the major health problems worldwide. Prolonged use of antimycotic drugs has contributed to the development of resistance in pathogenic fungi. This study was conducted to examine antioxidant and anticandidal activities of Moroccan propolis.

Materials and Methods:

Two ethanolic extracts of Moroccan propolis from the Fez-Meknes region were evaluated regarding the following physicochemical parameters: Yield, pH, total carbohydrates, total proteins, total lipids, minerals, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. In addition, we assessed the in vitro anticandidal activity against vulvovaginal candidiasis strains, that is, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida krusei, using the broth micromethod according to the CLSI/M27-A3 reference guidelines.

Results:

The propolis samples exhibited a mean yield of 16%, with an acidic pH ranging from 4.8 to 5.9; the sample from the Oued Amlil area (OAPEE) contained high levels of resin, balsam, moisture, total carbohydrates, and total lipids: 59.8%, 0.71%, 2%, 1.01 gGlcEq/g, and 120 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, the sample from the Sefrou area (SFPEE) was richer in total proteins and minerals, with values of 2.5 g/100 g and 1.84%, respectively. The total polyphenol and flavonoid content in the propolis extracts were 117.38 and 194.68 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g, and 17.45–27.79 mg of quercetin equivalent/g, respectively. Regarding the antioxidant activity, the most effective propolis extract was the sample from the Sefrou area, at 72.5 μg/mL and 118.78 μmoL Fe²⁺/g for ABTS-half-maximal inhibitory concentration and FRAP-half maximal effective concentration, respectively. The analysis of phenolic compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector revealed the presence of 13 polyphenols. The main compound in the OAPEE sample was epicatechin (310 mg/g), whereas in the SFPEE sample was apigenin (410 mg/g). Regarding the antifungal activity against Candida species, the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration of the Moroccan propolis ethanolic extracts ranged between 31.2 and 62.5 μg/mL and 62.5 and 125 μg/mL, respectively, comparable with fluconazole (as a reference antimycotic).

Conclusion:

This study suggests that Moroccan propolis (31.2 and 125 μg/mL) may be an important source of bioactive molecules with anticandidal activity. Propolis may be a promising naturally-occurring candidate for the development of antimycotic drugs.

Evaluation of Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents, Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities of Hungarian Propolis Ethanolic Extract against Staphylococcus aureus

Propolis is a natural bee product that is widely used in folk medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) on methicillin-resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MSSA). Propolis samples were collected from six regions in Hungary. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values and the interaction of EEP-antibiotics were evaluated by the broth microdilution and the chequerboard broth microdilution methods, respectively. The effect of EEP on biofilm formation and eradication was estimated by crystal violet assay. Resazurin/propidium iodide dyes were applied for simultaneous quantification of cellular metabolic activities and dead cells in mature biofilms. The EEP1 sample showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents. The EEP1 successfully prevented the growth of planktonic cells of S. aureus (MIC value = 50 µg/mL). Synergistic interactions were shown after the co-exposition to EEP1 and vancomycin at 108 CFU/mL. The EEP1 effectively inhibited the biofilm formation and caused significant degradation of mature biofilms (50-200 µg/mL), as a consequence of the considerable decrement of metabolic activity. The EEP acts effectively as an antimicrobial and antibiofilm agent on S. aureus. Moreover, the simultaneous application of EEP and vancomycin could enhance their effect against MRSA infection.

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of Total Polyphenols of Anchusa italica Retz

Anchusa italica Retz has been used for a long time in phytotherapy. The aim of the present study was to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of extracts from the leaves and roots of Anchusa italica Retz. We first determined the content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids using Folin-Ciocalteu reagents and aluminum chloride (AlCl₃). The antioxidant activity was determined using three methods: reducing power (FRAP), 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The antimicrobial activity was investigated against four strains of Escherichia coli, two strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and one fungal strain of Candida albicans. The results showed that the root extract was rich in polyphenols (43.29 mg GAE/g extract), while the leave extract was rich in flavonoids (28.88 mg QE/g extract). The FRAP assay showed a strong iron reduction capacity for the root extract (IC₅₀ of 0.11 µg/mL) in comparison to ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ of 0.121 µg/mL). The DPPH test determined an IC₅₀ of 0.11 µg/mL for the root extract and an IC₅₀ of 0.14 µg/mL for the leaf extract. These values are low compared to those for ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ of 0.16 µg/mL) and BHT (IC₅₀ 0.20 µg/mL). The TAC values of the leaf and root extracts were 0.51 and 0.98 mg AAE/g extract, respectively. In vitro, the extract showed inhibitory activity against all strains studied, with diameters of zones of inhibition in the range of 11.00-16.00 mm for the root extract and 11.67-14.33 mm for the leaf extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration was recorded for the leaf extract against E. coli (ATB:57), corresponding to 5 mg/mL. Overall, this research indicates that the extracts of Anchusa italica Retz roots and leaves exert significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities, probably because of the high content of flavonoids and polyphenols.

Determination of Phenolic Compounds in Various Propolis Samples Collected from an African and an Asian Region and Their Impact on Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities

The biological activities of propolis samples are the result of many bioactive compounds present in the propolis. The aim of the present study was to determine the various chemical compounds of some selected propolis samples collected from Palestine and Morocco by the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Photodiode Array Detection (HPLC-PDA) method, as well as the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of this bee product. The chemical analysis of propolis samples by HPLC-PDA shows the cinnamic acid content in the Palestinian sample is higher compared to that in Moroccan propolis. The results of antioxidant activity demonstrated an important free radical scavenging activity (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH); 2,2′-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and reducing power assays) with EC₅₀ values ranging between 0.02 ± 0.001 and 0.14 ± 0.01 mg/mL. Additionally, all tested propolis samples possessed a moderate antibacterial activity against bacterial strains. Notably, Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) values ranged from 0.31 to 2.50 mg/mL for Gram-negative bacterial strains and from 0.09 to 0.125 mg/mL for Gram-positive bacterial strains. The S2 sample from Morocco and the S4 sample from Palestine had the highest content of polyphenol level. Thus, the strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties were apparently due to the high total phenolic and flavone/flavonol contents in the samples. As a conclusion, the activities of propolis samples collected from both countries are similar, while the cinnamic acid in the Palestinian samples was more than that of the Moroccan samples.

AlZain M, M. Alzamel N, Mohamed Al kamaly O, Bouyahya A, Benoutman A, Imtara H. Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Pollen Extracts from Micromeria fruticosa, Achillea fragrantissima, and Phoenix dactylifera

Pollen is a male flower gametophyte located in the anthers of stamens in angiosperms and a considerable source of compounds with health protective potential. In the present work, phytochemical screening was carried out as well as analysis of the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of pollen extracts from Micromeria fruticosa, Achillea fragrantissima, and Phoenix dactylifera growing wild in Palestine. Phytochemical screening examined the total flavonol, flavone and phenolic content. The DPPH (1,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) methods were used to assess antioxidant propriety, and disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration tests were used to test the pollen extract's antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates. The highest level of total phenolic was found in the extract of Micromeria fruticosa (56.78 ± 0.49 mg GAE (Gallic Acid Equivalent)/g). The flavone and flavonol content of samples ranged from 2.48 ± 0.05 to 8.03 ± 0.01 mg QE (Quercetin Equivalent)/g. Micromeria fruticosa pollen with IC50 values of 0.047 and 0.039 mg/mL in the DPPH and FRAP assays, respectively, showed the greatest radical scavenging action. In addition, this pollen showed a mild antibacterial action against the microorganisms studied, with MICs varying from 0.625 to 10 mg/mL and inhibition diameters ranging from 13.66 ± 1.5 to 16.33 ± 1.5 mm.

Influence of Geographic Origin and Plant Source on Physicochemical Properties, Mineral Content, and Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Moroccan Propolis

This research is aimed at determining the physicochemical properties (resin, wax, balsams, pH, moisture, ash, and mineral contents) of propolis samples collected from different geographical areas in Morocco, as well as evaluating the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of these samples. The results showed the following values for physicochemical analysis: resin (17.42-58.01%), wax (21.31-70.12%), balsam (0.27-2.12%), pH (3.7-5.3), moisture (1.02-3.65%), and ash (0.72-5.01%). The phenolic and flavone/flavonol contents of samples were ranged between 6.74 mg FAE/g and 149.13 mg FAE/g and between 1.19 mg QE/g and 108.11 mg QE/g, respectively. The sample P3 presented also the strongest radical scavenging activity toward DPPH, ABTS free radicals, and FRAP assay with IC₅₀ values of 0.021, 0.026, and 0.042 mg/mL, respectively. All propolis samples showed significant inhibitory effects against all tested microorganisms with MICs ranging from 0.28 mg/mL to 1.12 mg/mL for Gram-negative strains and from 0.002 mg/mL to 1.12 mg/mL for Gram-positive strains. A strong correlation was found between resin, total phenolic compounds, flavones/flavonols, and antioxidant activity. Linear discriminant analysis revealed that the samples studied were divided into two groups which were differentiated by the data of antioxidant activity, mineral contents, and antibacterial activity. It can be concluded that the physicochemical properties, mineral content, and biological activities of Moroccan propolis depend on their geographical and botanical origin.

Anacyclus pyrethrum var. pyrethrum (L.) and Anacyclus pyrethrum var. depressus (Ball) Maire: Correlation between Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents with Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Chemically Characterized Extracts

In this work, two varieties of Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) including Anacyclus pyrethrum var. pyrethrum (L.) and Anacyclus pyrethrum var. depressus (Ball) Maire were evaluated for their mineral and chemical compositions, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities using hydroalcoholic extracts from their different parts (leaves, capitula, roots, and seeds). The phytochemical and mineral compositions were carried out using standard methods. The antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid), and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) tests. The antimicrobial activity was assayed using the agar diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum bactericidal concentration methods. The results of the chemical analysis showed that both varieties contained interesting mineral and chemical compositions with potentially active compounds; among them, N-isobutyl-2,4-heptadiene-6-monoynamide and cinnamic acid were detected in the Anacyclus pyrethrum var. pyrethrum (L.) only while thiadiazolo [5,4-d] pyrimidin-7-amine and N-isobutyl-2,4-undecadiene-8,10-diynamide compounds were limited to the Anacyclus pyrethrum var. depressus (Ball) Maire. In vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the two varieties demonstrated that the different parts had prominent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed great similarity in the activity of the leaves, capitula, and seeds of both plants and a high difference in roots. Anacyclus pyrethrum var. pyrethrum roots were characterized by a high content in phenols and flavonoids and better antibacterial activities compared to Anacyclus pyrethrum var. depressus (Ball) Maire roots, which were characterized by better antioxidant activities. From this study, it can be concluded that the two varieties of Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) showed promising mineral and chemical compositions with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.