Antiparasitic Properties of Propolis Extracts and Their Compounds

Author(s)

de L. Paula, Lucas A. ^[1] ; Candido, Ana C. B. B. ^[1] ; Santos, Mario F. C. ^[1] ; Caffrey, Conor R. ^[2] ; Bastos, Jairo K. ^[3] ; Ambrosio, Sergio R. ^[1] ; Magalhaes, Lizandra G. ^{[2, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Franca, Ctr Res Sci & Technol, Res Grp Nat Prod, Ave Dr Armando Salles Oliveira 201, BR-14404600 Franca, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Calif San Diego, Skaggs Sch Pharm & Pharmaceut Sci, Ctr Discovery & Innovat Parasit Dis, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093 - USA

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, Av Cafe S-N, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY; v. 18, n. 9 JUL 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Propolis is a bee product that has been used in medicine since ancient times. Although its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities have been investigated, its anti-parasitic properties remain poorly explored, especially regarding helminths. This review surveys the results obtained with propolis around the world against human parasites. Regarding protozoa, studies carried out with the protozoa Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp. have demonstrated promising results in vitro and in vivo. However, there are fewer studies for Plasmodium spp., the etiological agent of malaria and less so for helminths, particularly for Fasciola spp. and Schistosoma spp. Despite the favorable in vitro results with propolis, helminth assays need to be further investigated. However, propolis has shown itself to be an excellent natural product for parasitology, thus opening new paths and approaches in its activity against protozoa and helminths. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/04138-8 - Attainment of chemical, analytical, biological, pharmacological and technological studies to fill the gaps on the development of Brazilian propolis sector
• Grantee: Jairo Kenupp Bastos
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/50011-2 - Exploring turmeric curcuminoids to treat schistosomiasis: an evaluation of their pre-clinical potential
• Grantee: Lizandra Guidi Magalhães
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants