Free radical scavenging activity of propolis.
We investigated the radical scavenging activity of propolis by ESR spectroscopy using spin trapping method. In addition, we examined the influence of a diet of 2% propolis on mice under oxidative stress. At low concentrations, the methanolic extract of propolis exhibited strong scavenging activity in vitro towards both the superoxide anion radical, generated by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase reaction, and the NO radical, generated from the mixture of NOC-7 (NO generator) and carboxy-PTIO (spin trapping agent). An inhibitory effect of propolis on lipid peroxidation in vivo was observed, as determined by measurement of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in mouse liver homogenate. The level of vitamin C in the brain of mice under oxidative stress significantly increased compared with control mice under atmosphere, which was not observed in the mice given 2% propolis. The level of alpha-tocopherol in the brain of mice given 2% propolis significantly increased compared with control mice under atmosphere, which was not observed in mice under oxidative stress. SOD activity in the brain and plasma of mice given 2% propolis significantly decreased under atmosphere and oxidative stress compared with control mice. These results suggest that propolis possesses potent antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo.
Ichikawa
Hisatsugu
H
Tokyo Metropolitan Research Laboratory of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan. ichikawa@tokyo-eiken.go.jp
Satoh
Kazue
K
Tobe
Takashi
T
Yasuda
Ichiro
I
Ushio
Fusao
F
Matsumoto
Kenichiro
K
Endo
Kazutoyo
K
Ookubo
Chiharu
C
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005609:Free Radicals; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011429:Propolis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000378:metabolism
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D011429:Propolis; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol