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Oliveira RD, Araújo C, Almeida-Aguiar C. In Vitro Antimicrobial Potential of Portuguese Propolis Extracts from Gerês against Pathogenic Microorganisms. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:655. [PMID: 39061337 PMCID: PMC11273468 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13070655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of humanity's main health problems today. Despite all the breakthroughs and research over the past few years, the number of microbial illnesses that are resistant to the available antibiotics is increasing at an alarming rate. In this article, we estimated the biomedical potential of Portuguese propolis harvested from the Gerês apiary over five years, evaluating the in vitro antimicrobial effect of five hydroalcoholic extracts prepared from five single propolis samples and of a hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the mixture of all samples. The antimicrobial potential was firstly assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these extracts against a panel of three Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and one Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), as well as two yeasts (Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). As MIC values against each bacterium were consistent across all the evaluated propolis extracts, we decided to further conduct a disk diffusion assay, which included three commercial antibiotics-erythromycin, vancomycin, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid-for comparison purposes. In addition to displaying a concentration-dependent antibacterial effect, the hydroalcoholic extracts prepared with 70% ethanol exhibited stronger antimicrobial capacity than vancomycin against B. subtilis (% of increase ranged between 26 and 59%) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (% of increase ranged between 63 and 77%). Moreover, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) showed susceptibility to the activity of the same extracts and resistance to all tested antibiotics. These findings support that propolis from Gerês is a promising natural product with promising antimicrobial activity, representing a very stimulating result considering the actual problem with AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela Dias Oliveira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Carina Araújo
- Biology Department, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
| | - Cristina Almeida-Aguiar
- Biology Department, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- CBMA—Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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de Carvalho Braga G, Coiado JV, de Melo VC, Loureiro BB, Bagatini MD. Cutaneous melanoma and purinergic modulation by phenolic compounds. Purinergic Signal 2024:10.1007/s11302-024-10002-5. [PMID: 38498100 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-024-10002-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is a complex pathology that still has only treatments that lack efficiency and offer many adverse effects. Due to this scenario emerges the need to analyze other possible treatments against this disease, such as the effect of phenolic compounds. These substances have proven antitumor effects, but still have not been fully explored as a form of therapy to combat melanoma. Also, the purinergic receptors, along with its system molecules, take part in the formation of tumors from many pathways, such as the actions of ectoenzymes and receptors activity, especially P2Rs family, and are formed by structures that can be modulated by the phenolic compounds. Therefore, more studies have to be made with the aim of explaining the purinergic system activity in carcinogenesis of cutaneous melanoma and the effects of its modulation by phenolic compound, in order to enable the development of new therapies to combat this aggressive and feared cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - João Victor Coiado
- Medical School, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, Brazil
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Passão C, Almeida-Aguiar C, Cunha A. Modelling the In Vitro Growth of Phytopathogenic Filamentous Fungi and Oomycetes: The Gompertz Parameters as Robust Indicators of Propolis Antifungal Action. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1161. [PMID: 38132762 PMCID: PMC10744596 DOI: 10.3390/jof9121161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Propolis is a resinous mixture produced by honeybees, mainly from plant exudates. With a rich chemical composition including many phenolic compounds, mostly responsible for its biological properties, namely antimicrobial ones, propolis may be a promising alternative to synthetic pesticides. The study of propolis from the south of Portugal and of its potential against phytopathogenic agents are still very recent and different methodological approaches hinder a comparison of efficacies. In this context, we aimed to test the value of a mathematical model for the multiparametric characterization of propolis' antifungal action on solid medium assays. An ethanol extract (EE) of a propolis sample harvested in 2016 from Alves (A16) was characterized in terms of phenolic composition and antimicrobial potential against five phytopathogenic species. A16.EE (500-2000 µg/mL) inhibited the mycelial growth of all the species, with Phytophthora cinnamomi and Biscogniauxia mediterranea being the most susceptible and Colletotrichum acutatum being the least affected. The Gompertz mathematical model proved to be a suitable tool for quantitatively describing the growth profiles of fungi and oomycetes, and its parameters exhibit a high level of discrimination. Our results reveal that propolis extracts may have potential applications beyond traditional uses, particularly within the agri-food sector, allowing beekeepers to make their businesses more profitable and diversified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Passão
- Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
| | - Cristina Almeida-Aguiar
- Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- CBMA—Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Cunha
- Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- CBMA—Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Caetano AR, Oliveira RD, Pereira RFC, Cardoso TV, Cardoso A, Almeida-Aguiar C. Examination of Raw Samples and Ethanol Extracts of Gerês Propolis Collected in Different Years. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3909. [PMID: 38005805 PMCID: PMC10674325 DOI: 10.3390/plants12223909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Propolis, a natural resin created by bees, has garnered significant attention from both the scientific community and industry due to an impressive range of bioactivities. Nonetheless, the intrinsic variability in its chemical composition and bioactive profiles has been hindering propolis' full potential use. We previously showed that ethanol extracts (EEs) of a Portuguese propolis sample (Gerês) collected over four consecutive years displayed similar chemical and biological profiles, a constancy never documented before. However, the characteristics of the unprocessed samples of Gerês propolis were never described. Hence, the central objective of this study is to assess the quality parameters of unprocessed propolis samples collected from Gerês (G), over a four-year period (2019-2022), alongside the analysis of the chemical composition and bioactivities of the EEs prepared with the same raw samples. The ash, wax, balsam and water contents of the unprocessed samples-G19 to G22-showed minor fluctuations, likely attributed to uncontrollable natural events impacting the propolis source and collection process. On the other hand, the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of all the four ethanol extracts (G19.EE-G22.EE) consistently align with prior studies. Furthermore, the Gerês propolis extracts showed remarkable uniformity in chemical composition parameters too, particularly concerning total polyphenol, flavonoid and ortho-diphenol contents. In summary, our research reinforces the beneficial properties of propolis and show that extracts' bioactivities remain within the reference ranges for Gerês propolis, despite minor differences in unprocessed samples, suggesting a consistent action over time. Thus, this work could be instrumental towards the establishment of standard parameters for propolis applications, offering valuable insights to this field of propolis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Caetano
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (A.R.C.); (R.D.O.); (R.F.C.P.); (T.V.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Rafaela Dias Oliveira
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (A.R.C.); (R.D.O.); (R.F.C.P.); (T.V.C.); (A.C.)
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Rui Filipe Cerqueira Pereira
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (A.R.C.); (R.D.O.); (R.F.C.P.); (T.V.C.); (A.C.)
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Tiago Vidal Cardoso
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (A.R.C.); (R.D.O.); (R.F.C.P.); (T.V.C.); (A.C.)
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Andreia Cardoso
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (A.R.C.); (R.D.O.); (R.F.C.P.); (T.V.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Cristina Almeida-Aguiar
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (A.R.C.); (R.D.O.); (R.F.C.P.); (T.V.C.); (A.C.)
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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