Antibacterial and free-radical scavenging activities of Sonoran propolis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the antibacterial and free-radical scavenging (FRS) activities of propolis collected from three different areas of Sonoran Desert in northwestern Mexico [Pueblo de Alamos (PAP), Ures (UP) and Caborca (CP)].


RESULTS
The antibacterial and FRS activities of Sonoran propolis were determined by the broth microdilution method and the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydracyl) assay, respectively. Propolis samples had antibacterial activity against only Gram-positive bacteria. The UP sample showed the highest antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus [minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) 100 microg ml(-1)] in a concentration-dependent manner (UP > CP > PAP). Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a UP propolis constituent, had very high growth-inhibitory activity towards Gram-positive bacteria, particularly against S. aureus (MIC 0.1 mmol l(-1)). To our knowledge, this is the first study showing a strong antibacterial activity of CAPE against S. aureus. Additionally, propolis CP exhibited high FRS activity (86% +/- 0.3 at 100 microg ml(-1)) comparable with those of the reference antioxidants vitamin C (87.4% +/- 1.7 at 70 micromol l(-1)) and BHT (66.07% +/- 0.76 at 140 micromol l(-1)). The propolis compounds CAPE and rutin showed high FRS activity (90.4% +/- 0.2 and 88.5% +/- 0.8 at 70 micromol l(-1), respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Sonoran propolis UP and CAPE had strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus. In addition, propolis CP showed potent FRS activity comparable with those of vitamin C and BHT.


CONCLUSIONS
The strong antibacterial and antioxidant properties of Sonoran propolis and some of its constituents support further studies on the clinical applications of this natural bee product against S. aureus and several oxidative damage-related diseases.
Velazquez
C
C
Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.
Navarro
M
M
Acosta
A
A
Angulo
A
A
Dominguez
Z
Z
Robles
R
R
Robles-Zepeda
R
R
Lugo
E
E
Goycoolea
F M
FM
Velazquez
E F
EF
Astiazaran
H
H
Hernandez
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D001516:Bees; D002084:Butylated Hydroxytoluene / Q000494:pharmacology; D002109:Caffeic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D047309:Flavones / Q000032:analysis; D044948:Flavonols / Q000032:analysis; D005516:Food Microbiology; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D008800:Mexico; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D011429:Propolis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012431:Rutin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D014815:Vitamins / Q000494:pharmacology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D002109:Caffeic Acids; D047309:Flavones; D044948:Flavonols; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010636:Phenols; D014815:Vitamins; D002084:Butylated Hydroxytoluene; D012431:Rutin; D011429:Propolis; C055494:caffeic acid phenethyl ester; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol; D001205:Ascorbic Acid