title: Antioxidant activity of uruguayan propolis. In vitro and cellular assays.
abstract: The antioxidant capacity of propolis from the southern region of Uruguay was evaluated using in vitro as well as cellular assays. Free radical scavenging capacity was assessed by ORAC, obtaining values significantly higher than those of other natural products (8000 μmol Trolox equiv/g propolis). ORAC values correlated well with total polyphenol content (determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method) and UV absorption. Total polyphenol content (150 mg gallic acid equiv/g propolis) and flavonoids (45 mg quercetin equiv/g propolis) were similar to values reported for southern Brazilian (group 3) and Argentinean propolis. Flavonoid composition determined by RP-HPLC indicates a strong poplar-tree origin. Samples high in polyphenols efficiently inhibit low-density lipoprotein lipoperoxidation and tyrosine nitration. In addition, Uruguayan propolis was found to induce the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and inhibit endothelial NADPH oxidase, suggesting a potential cardiovascular benefit by increasing nitric oxide bioavailability in the endothelium.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica Biológica y Enzimología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Iguá 4225, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay.
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Genta
authors.forename: Matías N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Möller
authors.forename: Martín
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masner
authors.forename: Leonor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Radi
authors.forename: Denise C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Francisco R M
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Laurindo
authors.forename: Horacio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heinzen
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fierro
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Denicola
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols; D011429:Propolis / Q000737:chemistry*; D014583:Uruguay
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D011429:Propolis; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase