Geopropolis from Melipona scutellaris decreases the mechanical inflammatory hypernociception by inhibiting the production of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha

Author(s)

Franchin, Marcelo ^[1] ; da Cunha, Marcos Guilherme ^[1] ; Denny, Carina ^[1] ; Napimoga, Marcelo Henrique ^[2] ; Cunha, Thiago Mattar ^[3] ; Koo, Hyun ^{[4, 5]} ; de Alencar, Severino Matias ^[6] ; Ikegaki, Masaharu ^[7] ; Rosalen, Pedro Luiz ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Campinas Brazil, Sch Dent Piracicaba, Dept Physiol Sci, BR-13414903 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Sao Leopoldo Mand Inst & Res Ctr, Lab Immunol & Mol Biol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Pharmacol, Sch Med Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Rochester, Dept Microbiol & Immunol, Rochester, NY 14620 - USA

^[5] Univ Rochester, Ctr Oral Biol, Eastman Dept Dent EIOH, Rochester, NY 14620 - USA

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz Coll Agr, Dept Agri Food Ind Food & Nutr, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[7] Univ Fed Alfenas, Sch Pharmaceut Sci, Alfenas, MG - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology; v. 143, n. 2, p. 709-715, SEP 28 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 30

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The pharmacological activity of geopropolis collected by stingless bees (important and threatened pollinators), a product widely used in folk medicine by several communities in Brazil, especially in the Northeast Region, needs to be studied. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of Melipona scutellaris geopropolis (stingless bee) using different models of nociception. Material and methods: The antinociceptive activity of the ethanolic extract of geopropolis (EEGP) and fractions was evaluated using writhing induced by acetic acid, formalin test, carrageenan-induced hypernociception, and quantification of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. The chemical composition was assessed by quantification of total flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Results: EEGP and its hexane and aqueous fractions showed antinociceptive activity. Both EEGP and its aqueous fraction presented activity in the mechanical inflammatory hypernociception induced by the carrageenan model, an effect mediated by the inhibition of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. The chemical composition of EEGP and its hexane and aqueous fractions showed a significant presence of phenolic compounds and absence of flavonoids. Conclusion: Our data indicate that geopropolis is a natural source of bioactive substances with promising antinociceptive activity. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/20214-7 - Identification and chemical characterization of bioactive and nanostructured fraction of geopropolis (Melipona scutellaris) and their related pharmacological activities
• Grantee: Pedro Luiz Rosalen
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/12352-3 - Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of meliponinea (Melipona scutellaris) propolis
• Grantee: Marcelo Franchin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master