Chemical characterization and antioxidant and citotoxic activities from alecrim propolis

Author(s)

Caroline Cristina Fernandes da Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB)
• Defense date: 2008-10-16

Examining board members

Maria Luiza Faria Salatino; Dejair Message; Deborah Yara Alves Cursino dos Santos

• Advisor: Maria Luiza Faria Salatino

Abstract

Propolis is a complex mixture of substances derived from bee products and plant resins. Propolis color and texture vary widely and chemical composition is dependent on the hive locality. Bees use propolis to seal openings in the hive and to line it internally, which help keeping the environment aseptic. Propolis properties in medicine has been known since ancient times, and more recently activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cytotoxic have been demonstrated. The present work aimed to characterize chemically six samples of green propolis produced in the states of Minas Gerais and Paraná and identify their constituents by GC/MS and HPLC/MS. In addition, this investigation aimed to evaluate cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of the crude hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of all samples. Chemical characterization was carried out by the determination of the contents of wax, total phenols and flavonoids. Wax content was determined by extracting the waxes with chloroform, followed by purification with cold methanol and gravimetric determination. Wax contents varied from 28.79 to 104.6 mg/g. Total phenols were determined with the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and. Values obtained varied in the range 132.69 - 187.57 mg/g. Flavone and flavonol contents combined were determined by the AlCl3 method and values obtained varied from 15.72 to 40.42 mg/g. Contents of flavanones and isoflavones combined were determined by the dinitrophenylhydrazine method, values varying in the range 11.95 -18.91. Chromatographic patterns were similar for all samples, with the predominance of derivatives of &#961-coumaric acid, caffeoylquinic acids and few flavonoids. Antioxidant activity determination followed the methods of the free radical DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrihydrazyl) and the β-carotene/linoleic acid. Results relative the former method and the crude methanol extract at 25 g/mL, results varied from 10.50 to 18.56%; regarding the latter method and the crude methanol extract at 1 mg/ml, results varied in the range 71.2 - 84.1%. High antioxidant activities at the same concentrations and using both methods were observed with the hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions. Relationships between antioxidant activity and contents of total phenols and flavonoids of the crude methanol extract were tested by means of linear correlation and the minimum square method, assuming as significant values of R2 > 0.5. Positive significant correlation was observed between antioxidant activity and total phenol contents determined with the DPPH method (R2 = 0.835). No significant correlation was obtained, however, with the β-carotene/linoleic acid method (R2 = 0.450). As to the flavone plus flavonol content, positive correlation was obtained with both DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid methods (R2 = 0.783 and 0.693, respectively). No correlation with the β-carotene discoloration method and high antioxidant activity of fractions obtained with low polarity solvents suggest that lipophylic chemical constituents exert antioxidant activity in analyzed samples. Cytotoxic activities of crude methanol extracts at 32 μg/mL were determined using sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) embryos, taking into account mainly the inhibition of the first cleavage of recently fertilized eggs, which characterize an anti-mitotic effect. Values obtained varied in the range 97.33 - 100%. At the same concentration, high activities were obtained with the ethyl acetate fraction (100%) and low activities with methanol fraction (< 0.5%). Regarding hexane and chloroform fractions, values varied widely (4.33 - 98.5% and 2 92.5%, respectively). Based on chemical composition, PCA and PCO analyses were carried out aiming the establishment of affinities among the six propolis samples. The results indicate that the samples from Minas Gerais differ significantly from those of Paraná The two samples of Paraná are very similar; however, significant differences exist among the four samples of Minas Gerais, even among samples from the same locality. (AU)