Apis Flora (Brazil)

Propolis is a natural product produced by bees that is primarily used in complementary and alternative medicine and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumoral biological properties. Some studies have reported the beneficial effects of propolis in models of allergic asthma. In a previous study, our group showed that green propolis treatment reduced airway inflammation and mucus secretion in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model and resulted in increased regulatory T cells (Treg) and polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSC) frequencies in the lungs, two leukocyte populations that have immunosuppressive functions. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of artepillin C (ArtC), the major compound of green propolis, in the context of allergic airway inflammation. Our results show that ArtC induces in vitro differentiation of Treg cells and monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC). Furthermore, in an OVA-induced asthma model, ArtC treatment reduced pulmonary inflammation, eosinophil influx to the airways, mucus and IL-5 secretion along with increased frequency of M-MDSC, but not Treg cells, in the lungs. Using an adoptive transfer model, we confirmed that the effect of ArtC in the reduction in airway inflammation was dependent on M-MDSC. Altogether, our data show that ArtC exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect and might be an adjuvant therapy for allergic asthma.

Sepsis is the leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) and lung injury worldwide. Despite therapeutic advances, sepsis continues to be associated with high mortality. Because Brazilian green propolis (GP) has promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, we hypothesized that it would protect kidneys and lungs in rats induced to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Male Wistar rats were divided into groups—control (sham-operated); CLP (CLP only); and CLP + GP (CLP and treatment with GP at 6 h thereafter)—all receiving volume expansion and antibiotic therapy at 6 h after the procedures. By 24 h after the procedures, treatment with GP improved survival, attenuated sepsis-induced AKI, and restored renal tubular function. Whole-blood levels of reduced glutathione were higher in the CLP + GP group. Sepsis upregulated the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B axis in lung and renal tissues, as well as increasing inflammatory cytokine levels and macrophage infiltration; all of those effects were attenuated by GP. Treatment with GP decreased the numbers of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling-positive cells in renal and lung tissue, as well as protecting the morphology of the renal mitochondria. Our data open the prospect for clinical trials of the use of GP in sepsis.

The phytosynthesis of metal nanoparticles is nowadays attracting the increased attention of researchers and is much needed given the worldwide matter related to environmental contamination. The antimicrobial activity of colloidal and spray formulation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by pomegranate peel extract against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus, and their cytotoxicity in mammalian cells were tested in the present study. Dry matter, pH, total phenolics, and ellagic acid in the extract were determined. Then, AgNPs were phytosynthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron transmission microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and Ag+ dosage. Spray formulations and respective chemical-AgNP controls were prepared and tested. The peel extract reduced more than 99% of Ag+, and produced nanoparticles with irregular forms and an 89-nm mean size. All AgNP presented antimicrobial activity, and the spray formulation of green-AgNP increased by 255 and 4 times the effectiveness against S. aureus and C. albicans, respectively. The cytotoxicity of colloidal and spray green-AgNP was expressively lower than the respective chemical controls. Pomegranate peel extract produced stable AgNP with antimicrobial action and low cytotoxicity, stimulating its use in the biomedical field.

To synthesize, characterize and evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of novel nanocomposites containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) associated or not to β-calcium glycerophosphate. These nanocomposites were produced through a 'green' route using extracts of different parts of pomegranate. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties against Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans were determined by the minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration and biofilm density after treatments. All extracts used were successful in producing AgNPs. Composites made with peel extracts showed the highest antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against both microorganisms tested and performed similarly or even better than chlorhexidine. AgNPs associated or not to calcium glycerophosphate produced by a 'green' process may be a promising novel antimicrobial agent against oral microorganisms.

Banana is one of the most popular fruits in the world but has been substantially impaired by Panama disease in the last years. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) is the causal agent and colonizes banana cultivars from many subgroups with different aggressiveness levels, often leading to plant death while compromising new crops in infested areas. This study has evaluated the ability of MALDI-MS protein and lipid fingerprinting to provide intraspecies classification of Foc isolates and to screen biomolecules related to host-pathogen relationship. The MS data, when inspected via partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), distinguished the isolates by aggressiveness as well as by specific location and host. Although both lipids and proteins show discriminating tendencies, these differences were more clearly perceived via the protein profiles. Considering that Cavendish cultivar is the more resistant option to endure Foc presence in the field, the lipids and proteins related to this subgroup might have an important role in pathogen adaptation. This study reports a new application of MALDI-MS for the analysis of a banana pathogen with intraspecies classification ability. Graphical abstract MALDI-MS classified Foc isolates by aggressiveness level on banana revealing the additional influence of location and host cultivar on the expression of lipids and proteins.

Artepillin C, a natural product present in the Brazilian green propolis, has several biological properties. Among these properties, the antitumor action of this product is noteworthy and makes it a promising drug candidate for the treatment of several types of cancer. This paper describes the in vitro metabolism of Artepillin C in rat and human liver microsomes. The rat model suggested a sigmoidal profile for the metabolism, adapted to the Hill's kinetic model. The enzymatic kinetic parameters were as follows: maximal velocity = 0.757 ± 0.021 µmol/mg protein/min, Hill coefficient = 10.90 ± 2.80, and substrate concentration at which half-maximal velocity of a Hill enzyme is achieved = 33.35 ± 0.55 µM. Based on these results, the calculated in vitro intrinsic clearance for Artepillin C was 16.63 ± 1.52 µL/min/mg protein. The in vitro metabolism assay conducted on the human model did not fit any enzymatic kinetic model. Two novel metabolites were formed in both mammal microsomal models and their chemical structures were elucidated for the first time. The main human cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in Artepillin C metabolism had been identified, and the results suggest a majority contribution of CYP2E1 and CYP2C9 in the formation of the two metabolites.

Treatments based on antimonials to cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) entail a range of toxic side effects. Propolis, a natural compound widely used in traditional medical applications, exhibits a range of biological effects, including activity against infectious agents. The aim of this study was to test the potential leishmanicidal effects of different propolis extracts against Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes in vitro. Stationary-phase L. (V) braziliensis promastigotes were incubated with medium alone or treated with dry, alcoholic, or glycolic propolis extract (10, 50, or 100 μg/mL) for 96 h. Our data showed that all extracts exhibited a dose-dependent effect on the viability of L. (V) braziliensis promastigotes, while controlling the parasite burden inside infected macrophages. Dry propolis extract significantly modified the inflammatory profile of murine macrophages by downmodulating TGF-β and IL-10 production, while upmodulating TNF-α. All three types of propolis extract were found to reduce nitric oxide and superoxide levels in activated L. braziliensis-infected macrophages. Altogether, our results showed that propolis extracts exhibited a leishmanicidal effect against both stages of L. (V) braziliensis. The low cell toxicity and efficient microbicidal effect of alcoholic or glycolic propolis extracts make them candidates to an additive treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Abstract Background: Besides the known propolis biological activities, widely reported in many scientific studies, new findings in animal models have opened new fields for propolis application. Recently, there has been

A qualidade de insumos farmacêuticos e medicamentos é uma questão imprescindível para o sucesso da terapêutica. Nesse sentido, a Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) têm, ao longo dos anos, estabelecido normas para regular os fornecedores de insumos, indústrias farmacêuticas e farmácias de manipulação e drogarias. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade de cápsulas de guaraná (Paullinia cupana) manipuladas em farmácias de manipulação da cidade de Franca, São Paulo. A qualidade do produto foi avaliada seguindo métodos farmacopéicos como referência. As cápsulas foram avaliadas quanto à padrões mínimos de qualidade e envolveram a determinação do peso médio, umidade, material estranho, teor de cafeína, desintegração e cinzas. Os resultados demonstraram que o insumo foi adequadamente identificado, estando dentro dos padrões farmacopéicos de qualidade, no entanto, os resultados obtidos com o produto final demonstraram que 2% das amostras apresentaram avarias, como cápsulas amassadas, 30% demonstraram variação no peso acima da margem aceita. Desse modo, os resultados do trabalho sugerem que embora diversas medidas estejam sendo adotadas para a qualidade, há espaço para a implementação de melhoria contínua.