Egyptian propolis: 3. Antioxidant, antimicrobial activities and chemical composition of propolis from reclaimed lands

Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 2002 Mar-Apr;57(3-4):395-402. doi: 10.1515/znc-2002-3-432.

Abstract

The free radical scavenging effect of two propolis samples collected from reclaimed land, Egypt as well as of vitamin C and caffeic acid in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical system was determined. The antimicrobial (Staphylococcus aureus; Escherichia coli and Candida albicans) activity was also investigated. The results of the free radical scavenging effect of El-Saff and Ismailia propolis showed a concentration-dependent activity. The antioxidant activity was varied according to the examined material. It was obvious that caffeic acid and vitamin C showed the highest activity if compared with the propolis samples. El- Saff propolis had a higher antioxidant activity than Ismailia propolis, it showed a higher antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and a higher anti-fungal activity against Candida albicans. While the Ismailia propolis had a higher antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, than El-Saff propolis. The chemical composition of propolis samples was investigated by GC/MS, where 75 compounds were identified, 22 being new for propolis. The Ismailia propolis was characterized by the presence of a highly significant amount of aromatic acid esters (47.3%) and triterpenoids (17.3%), while El-Saff propolis contained 3% and 1.9% respectively. The new esters belonged to 4-methoxyhydrocinnamic acid, hydroferulic acid and ferulic acid. El-Saff propolis had a very high significant amount (27%) of 2,6-bis-(pentanyloxy)-4-pentanylphenethanol, which is also a new compound for propolis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents / isolation & purification*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / isolation & purification*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology
  • Caffeic Acids / pharmacology
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Carboxylic Acids / analysis
  • Diterpenes / analysis
  • Egypt
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Esters / analysis
  • Flavonoids / analysis
  • Free Radical Scavengers / isolation & purification*
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology
  • Geography
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Propolis / chemistry*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Triterpenes / analysis

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Caffeic Acids
  • Carboxylic Acids
  • Diterpenes
  • Esters
  • Flavonoids
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Triterpenes
  • Propolis
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • caffeic acid