Irinaldo Diniz Basílio Júnior

The aim of the present study was to compare two nanoparticle composition loaded with Brazilian red propolis extract regarding its physicochemical characteristics and its antioxidant and antileishmanial activities. The red propolis nanoparticles in an aqueous medium and in solid-state presented particle size in a nanometric scale with an apparent size of 100–288 nm for the NEPE and 175–380 nm for the NPPE. ATR-FTIR and thermal analysis revealed an encapsulation of flavonoids from the red propolis extract in polymeric matrices for the multidrug delivery system. UPLC-DAD identified red propolis markers (flavonoids) in EPE, NEPE and NPPE. The efficiency of encapsulation (28.0–55.0% for NEPE and 61.2–81.0% for NPPE) were determined and calculated using UPLC-DAD. DPPH method showed the antioxidant activity of both EPE and nanoparticle compositions of red propolis. These polymeric matrices systems were able to encapsulate flavonoids from red propolis extract with specific characteristics of solubility and polarity. EPE and nanoparticles loaded with red propolis extract in the multi-constituent co-delivery system presented leishmanicidal activity and a good correlation was established between IC₅₀ and efficiency of encapsulation. Red propolis nanoparticles exhibited leishmanicidal activity but NEPE presented a lower leishmanicidal effect in relation to NPPE, which showed similar activity compared to EPE. The nanopolymeric matrices choice should be established in propolis nanoparticle compositions to avoid lack of efficacy of bioproducts. Red propolis nanoparticles were shown to be a potential final bulk product for the preparation of various pharmaceutical and cosmetics compositions in therapy against diseases such as leishmaniasis. Scanning Electron Microscopy of red propolis nanoparticles (NEPE 30) (A). ATR-FTIR spectra of NPPE 30 and NPPE placebo (B). Chromatogram of the NPPE 30 (C). Determination of IC using leishmanicidal assay against Leishmania braziliensis for EPE, NEPE and NPPE (D).

This study investigated the chemical composition, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity of commercial propolis extracts produced in the Sergipe and Alagoas States of Brazil as potential bioproducts for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Four samples were analyzed, three brown propolis extracts and one red propolis extract, and were characterized through phytochemical screening, chemical, chromatographic profile and antibacterial activity. Phytochemical analysis detected the presence of triterpenoids and phenolic compound in propolis extracts. Propolis extracts showed total phenolic content between 9 and 15% and total flavonoids >2%. Propolis extracts showed excellent antioxidant activity with inhibition of the Free radical DPPH˙ between 97 and 60%, which confirm the results obtained in total phenolics, total flavonoids content and antibacterial activity. The chromatographic profile showed differences for brown propolis samples and quite different from the red propolis extract, which present flavonoids as isoflavonoids, pterocarpans, chalcones and guttiferones. Commercial propolis extract (propolis extract C and propolis extract D) showed excellent activity for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and moderate activity for Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The chemical characterization of propolis extracts is fundamental in the process of standardization and monitoring of the chemical composition susceptible to geographic and seasonal variation. These results point to new possibilities of use as bio-preservative of processed foods as well as in the development of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals products from propolis extract C and D in its formulation actuate on the inhibition of some pathogenic microorganisms strains.