Acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of Brazilian red propolis in rats

Rafaela Oliveira da Silva; Valléria Matos Andrade; Ester Seixas Bullé Rêgo; Grace Anne Azevedo Dória; Bruno Dos Santos Lima; Francilene Amaral da Silva; Adriano Antunes de Souza Araújo; Ricardo Luiz Cavalcanti de Albuquerque Júnior; Juliana Cordeiro Cardoso; Margarete Zanardo Gomes

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.05.009

Acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of Brazilian red propolis in rats

J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Jul 21:170:66-71. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.05.009. Epub 2015 May 13.

Affiliations

¹ Tiradentes University, 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
² Tiradentes University, 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil; Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Sergipe, Marechal Rondon Ave, Cidade Universitária, CEP 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil; Research and Technology Institute (ITP), 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
³ Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Sergipe, Marechal Rondon Ave, Cidade Universitária, CEP 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.
⁴ Tiradentes University, 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil; Research and Technology Institute (ITP), 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
⁵ Tiradentes University, 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil; Research and Technology Institute (ITP), 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil. Electronic address: guetezanardo@yahoo.com.br.

PMID: 25978955
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.05.009

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Propolis is a bee product widely used in folk medicine due to its numerous pharmacological properties. However, samples from different regions can differ in chemical composition, effectiveness, and side effects. Despite the widespread use of Brazilian red propolis, which is an isoflavone-rich variety, its toxicity has not been carefully studied.

Aims of the study: To assess the acute and sub-acute toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract of red propolis (HERP) administered orally to rats.

Materials and methods: HERP for the acute (300mg/kg) and sub-acute (10, 100 and 200mg/kg) toxicity studies was administered orally to rats according to OECD Guidelines 420 and 407, respectively. Clinical signs were identified, and hematological and biochemical analyses were performed. Water and food uptake as well as body and organ weights of animals were recorded.

Results and conclusions: The acute study revealed no lethal effects at 300mg/kg of HERP, but toxic signs were observed, as HERP had an LD50 of more than 300mg/kg, indicating a warning. The most toxic signals in sub-acute studies were observed in males at a dose of 200mg/kg HERP. These results suggest estrogen-like activity, possibly from the isoflavones in HERP.

Keywords: Acute toxicity; Biochemical parameters; Hematological parameters; Isoflavone; Red propolis; Sub-acute toxicity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Administration, Oral
Animals
Bees*
Brazil
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Female
Isoflavones / isolation & purification
Isoflavones / toxicity*
Lethal Dose 50
Male
Medicine, Traditional
Organ Size / drug effects
Propolis / administration & dosage
Propolis / toxicity*
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Sex Factors
Toxicity Tests, Acute
Toxicity Tests, Subacute

Substances

Isoflavones
Propolis