Ação terapêutica da própolis em lesões cutâneas

Anti-Inflammatory and Histological Analysis of Skin Wound Healing through Topical Application of Mexican Propolis

Skin wound healing is a complex biochemical process of tissue repair and remodeling in response to injury. Currently, the drugs used to improve the healing process are inaccessible to the population, are costly, and have side effects, making the search for new treatment alternatives necessary. Propolis is a natural product produced by bees that is widely recognized and used in folk medicine for its multiple biomedical activities. However, therapeutic information regarding Mexican propolis is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the wound-healing effect of the Chihuahua ethanolic extract of propolis (ChEEP). Macroscopic and histological analyses were performed using a mouse wound-healing model. The topic acute toxicity assay showed that propolis at 10% w/v had no toxic effects. ChEEP has antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Moreover, it exhibited good anti-inflammatory activity evaluated through mouse ear edema induced by 12-O-tetradeca-noylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). A full-thickness incision lesion was created in mice and treated topically with 10% ChEEP. At Day 14 post-treatment, it was observed that propolis increased wound contraction and reduced healing time and wound length; furthermore, propolis increased the tensile strength of the wound, as determined with the tensiometric method, and promoted the formation of type I collagen at the site of injury, as evaluated with Herovici stain. These findings suggest that the topical administration of ChEEP can improve skin wound healing, probably due to the synergistic effect of its components, mainly polyphenols, in different steps of the wound-healing process. It should be noted this is the first time that the wound-healing activity of a Mexican propolis has been evaluated.

Healing Potential of Propolis in Skin Wounds Evidenced by Clinical Studies

Propolis has been used since ancient times for the treatment of skin diseases and, currently, its pharmacological potential for healing and repairing various types of wounds is widely cited in the literature. The healing properties of propolis are mainly attributed to its composition which is rich in phenolic compounds, and propolis has aroused the interest of the pharmaceutical industry as a low-cost product as compared with other treatments and medications; however, most of the published data refer to its effects in vitro and in vivo and, so far, few clinical studies have been carried out proving its therapeutic efficacy. In this article, we aimed to review clinical trail data published in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, in Scielo, PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, and Lilacs between 1990 and 2021 on the clinical use of propolis for skin ulcers. The potential of propolis as an alternative healing treatment for skin wounds such as diabetic, venous, and surgical wounds, as well as wounds caused by burns, etc., is mainly due to its evidenced properties such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and angiogenesis promoter effects. However, there is a need to standardize the type of administration and the concentration of propolis for each type of wound. Furthermore, further clinical studies are essential to add information about propolis safety and for obtaining the best possible therapeutic benefits from its use.

Design and characterization of polymeric microneedles containing extracts of Brazilian green propolis

Microneedles (MNs) are a means to break the protective skin barrier in a minimally invasive way. By creating temporary micropores, they make biologically active agents available in the skin layers. Propolis (PRP) is a gum resin with a complex chemical composition, produced by bees Apis mellifera L. and showing several therapeutic properties (i.e., antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, healing, and immunomodulatory properties). The administration of PRP extracts by conventional routes has some disadvantages, such as running off over the skin in liquid or emulsion form. When taken orally, the extracts have a strong and unpleasant taste. The aim of this work was to fabricate and characterize microneedles containing polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, poloxamer P407, and an ethanolic or glycolic extract of PRP. Also, the obtained structures were microscopically and mechanically characterized. The results of the mechanical analysis showed that formulations containing 3% of P407 presented the highest compression values in a hard surface, which was also confirmed by the height and base values of the morphological analysis and by the microscopy images. It was possible to design MNs and select the best formulations for future tests. MNs containing an ethanolic extract of PRP showed to be better structured than MNs containing a glycolic extract of PRP. The MNs obtained in these studies proved to be a promising platform for the topical application of PRP.

Comparative study of royal jelly, propolis, and photobiomodulation therapies in 5-fluorouracil-related oral mucositis in rats

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of action of royal jelly (RJ) and propolis compared to photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in an animal model of 5-fluorouracil-related oral mucositis (OM).

METHODS

Seventy-two male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to four groups (n = 18 each): control (no treatment), PBMT (intraoral laser, 6 J/cm²), RJ, and propolis. On days 0 and 2, the animals received an injection of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The buccal mucosa was scratched (days 3 and 4) and the treatments were initiated on day 5. Six animals of each group were euthanized on days 8, 10, and 14. Phytochemical analysis (thin-layer chromatography, TLC) and clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analysis of pS6, pAKT, and NF-κB were performed, and oxidative stress markers were also investigated.

RESULTS

TLC revealed the presence of large amounts of sucrose (Rf 0.34) in RJ and of flavonoids in propolis. Lower clinical OM scores were observed on day 8, and improved morphological data were observed on day 10 in the PBMT, RJ, and propolis groups (p < 0.05). On day 8, immunoexpression of pS6, pAKT, and NF-κB was increased compared to control. On day 14, reduced glutathione (GSH) antioxidant levels were increased in the propolis group compared to control (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that RJ and propolis, as well as PBMT, are effective in the treatment of OM. Considering that some patients who develop OM do not have access to PBMT, the present study demonstrated that topical application of RJ and propolis may be an important alternative for the treatment of OM.

Nanostructured lipid systems modified with waste material of propolis for wound healing: Design, in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Propolis, a natural compound that can accelerate the wound healing process, is mainly used as ethanolic extract. The extractive solution may also be obtained from the propolis by-product (BP), transforming this waste material into a pharmaceutical active ingredient. Even if propolis does not show toxicity, when used as an extract over harmed skin or mucosa, the present ethanol content may be harmful to the tissue recovering, besides hindering the drug release. This study describes the development of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) as topical propolis delivery systems and the investigation of their in vitro and in vivo activities. The extracts were evaluated to guarantee their quality, and the lipid dispersions were characterized with respect to morphology (cryo-TEM), size and diffractometry (X-ray) properties. The occlusive capacity of formulations was also evaluated by an in vitro technique, which determines the occlusion factor. The drug entrapment efficiency (EE), as well as the in vitro drug release profile from the nanoparticulate systems was investigated as well. The size analysis performed through 90days was favorable to a topical administration and the polydispersity index, though not ideal in all cases due to the high content of resins and gums from the extracts, were relatively stable for the SLN. The propolis extract contributes to the occlusive potential of the formulations. The human immortalized keratinocytes presented good cell viability when tested with both extracts (propolis and BP) freely or entrapped in the systems. SLN modified with propolis material provided an acceleration of the in vivo wound healing process.

Propolis reduces Leishmania amazonensis-induced inflammation in the liver of BALB/c mice

Experimental models of mouse paw infection with L. amazonensis show an induction of a strong inflammatory response in the skin, and parasitic migration may occur to secondary organs with consequent tissue injury. There are few studies focusing on the resolution of damage in secondary organs caused by Leishmania species-related cutaneous leishmaniasis. We investigated the propolis treatment effect on liver inflammation induced by Leishmania amazonensis infection in the mouse paw. BALB/c mice were infected in the hind paw with L. amazonensis (10(7)) promastigote forms. After 15 days, animals were treated daily with propolis (5 mg/kg), Glucantime (10 mg/kg), or with propolis plus Glucantime combined. After 60 days, mice were euthanized and livers were collected for inflammatory process analysis. Liver microscopic analysis showed that propolis reduced the inflammatory process compared to untreated infected control. There was a decrease of liver myeloperoxidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase activity levels, collagen fiber deposition, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and plasma aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels. Furthermore, propolis treatment enhanced anti-inflammatory cytokine levels and reversed hepatosplenomegaly. Our data demonstrated that daily low doses of Brazilian propolis reduced the secondary chronic inflammatory process in the liver caused by L. amazonensis subcutaneous infection in a susceptible mice strain.

Nitric oxide and Brazilian propolis combined accelerates tissue repair by modulating cell migration, cytokine production and collagen deposition in experimental leishmaniasis

The fact that drugs currently used in the treatment of Leishmania are highly toxic and associated with acquired resistance has promoted the search for new therapies for treating American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL). In this study, BALB/c mice were injected in the hind paw with Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and subsequently treated with a combination of nitric oxide (NO) donor (cis-[Ru(bpy) 2imN(NO)](PF6)3) (Ru-NO), given by intraperitoneal injection, and oral Brazilian propolis for 30 days. Ru-NO reached the center of the lesion and increased the NO level in the injured hind paw without lesion exacerbation. Histological and immunological parameters of chronic inflammation showed that this combined treatment increased the efficacy of macrophages, determined by the decrease in the number of parasitized cells, leading to reduced expression of proinflammatory and tissue damage markers. In addition, these drugs in combination fostered wound healing, enhanced the number of fibroblasts, pro-healing cytokines and induced collagen synthesis at the lesion site. Overall, our findings suggest that the combination of the NO donor Ru-NO and Brazilian propolis alleviates experimental ATL lesions, highlighting a new therapeutic option that can be considered for further in vivo investigations as a candidate for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Comparative study of topical green and red propolis in the repair of wounds induced in rats

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the healing action of green and red propolis, correlating it with the content of flavonoids.

METHODS

We performed quantification of total flavonoids of green and red propolis ethanol extracts for subsequent incorporation in ointment base to 20%. We used 20 Wistar rats divided into four groups: 0.9% saline (S), ointment base (B), green propolis ointment (G) and red propolis ointment (R). All animals were submitted to excisional lesions in the midian back region. The rats were treated daily for 15 days. During this period we observed weight, body temperature and diameters of the wounds. For histological analysis, samples were collected from wounds. At the end of the experiment we performed blood collection and removal of the kidney and liver for biochemical and histological analyzes.

RESULTS

The levels of total flavonoids of green (4.50%) and red (5.92%) propolis were high (> 2%), but, while the latter showed a content larger than the former, the evolution of green propolis was better in the repair of wounds, both macroscopically and histologically. There were no nephrotoxicity or hepatotoxicity, a result confirmed by biochemical tests (ALT and albumin). Propolis influenced the reduction of total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose.

CONCLUSION

There was no correlation between total flavonoid contents and the healing action of propolis. This reveals the need for elucidation of the flavonoids found in each class of propolis to unravel which one(s) would be important for the healing process.

Structure and antioxidant activity of polyphenols derived from propolis

Propolis is a potential source of natural antioxidants such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. Its wide biological effects have been known and used since antiquity. In the modern world natural substances are sought which would be able to counteract the effects of antioxidative stress, which underlies many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and atherosclerosis. This paper aims to present the antioxidative activity of phenolic acids and flavonoids present in Polish propolis and the relationship between their chemical structure and antioxidative activity influencing its medicinal properties. Data concerning the biological activity of propolis are summarized here, including its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic, estrogenic effects, as well as AIDS- counteracting and reparative-regenerative function.

Stan scheller: the forerunner of clinical studies on using propolis for poor and chronic nonhealing wounds

For hundreds of years poor and chronic nonhealing wounds have constituted a serious problem to medicine. What is more, treating such wounds is an expensive let alone a long-lasting process. The following paper describes Professor Scheller's achievements in using propolis for poor and chronic non-healing wounds. The authors' intention was to present the results connected with the use of the ethanolic extract propolis, in the treatment of patients suffering from burns, venous crural ulceration, local sacral bone pressure ulcers, suppurative osteitis and arthritis, suppurative postoperative local wound complications, and infected traumatic wounds.

Topical treatment of nonhealing venous leg ulcer with propolis ointment

An investigation of effectiveness of topical treatment of nonhealing chronic venous leg ulcers with propolis ointment was conducted. 56 patients were included in the study and randomized into two groups. In group 1, there were 28 patients (ulceration area: 6.9-9.78 cm(2)) treated by means of topical propolis ointment application and short stretch bandage compression. In group 2, there were 29 patients (ulceration area: 7.2-9.4 cm(2)) treated by means of Unna boot leg compression without topical propolis treatment. In the study, the efficacy of both treatment methods in patients with resistive venous leg ulcers was compared. The ulceration of patients from group 1 healed completely after 6 weeks of therapy in all cases. In all patients from group 2, the process of healing was longer but successfully completed after 16 weeks of the therapy. We found that an adjunctive propolis ointment treatment increases the efficacy of the short stretch bandage compression stocking, and this combined treatment is more effective than Unna's boot compression alone.