Development of a method for isolating red propolis compounds by countercurrent chromatography and nanoparticle formulation with medicarpin

• Grant number: 25/10748-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmacognosy
• Principal Investigator: Jairo Kenupp Bastos
• Grantee: Ana Maria de Freitas Pinheiro
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Brazil is one of the largest propolis producers in the world. Propolis is produced by bees Apis mellifera L. from plant exudates and buds, generating several types of propolis, depending on location and botanical origin. Brazilian red propolis, produced in the coastal region of northeastern Brazil, is produced from the collection of resin from Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub., and Symphonia globulifera L.f. This product has stood out in national and international markets in recent decades due to its numerous pharmacological activities, including anti-inflamatory, antimicrobial e anticancer. From this perspective, red propolis can be considered a source of new molecules with pharmaceutical potential. Therefore, we propose to develop methods using high-speed counter-current chromatography to isolate the constituents of red propolis. To this end, a hydroalcoholic extract from red propolis will be obtained. Chromatographic conditions will be designed using high-speed counter-current chromatography equipment to fractionate the hydroalcoholic extract and isolate the compounds. The identification of isolated compounds will be done by 1H and 13C NMR analysis. Nanoparticulate oil/water formulations will be developed with medicarpin using oils of natural origin (sunflower, olive, grape seed, argan, almond, coconut, linseed) and synthetic oils (SP Crodamol, Capryol 90 and tributyrin). The developed nanostructured formulation will be subjected to stability and release studies. Comparatively, medicarpin and nanoparticles containing medicarpin will be evaluated for antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity in a 2D and 3D cell culture model using bladder cancer cells, and the cell death mechanism. The results will contribute to the development of new products for the pharmaceutical industry. The results will contribute to developing new products for the pharmaceutical industry. (AU)