Comparison of Ethanolic and Aqueous-Polyethylenglycolic Propolis Extracts: Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties.

In recent years, particular attention has been paid to the natural antioxidants. Bee products, especially propolis, are characterized by multifunctional (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and food preservative) effects and can be used for the development of functional food or food preservatives. Propolis extracts that are commonly produced are ethanolic; therefore, to certain groups of consumers, for example, children and alcohol sensitive group, their applicability is limited. The aim of this study was to develop alternative propolis from aqueous-polyethylenglycolic propolis extract (AQUA-PEG) and compare the chemical composition as well as antioxidant (radical-scavenging and reduction properties) activities to those of ethanolic propolis extract (EEP). Polyethylene glycol is quite a good solvent, which can be successfully used for the preparation of NEP. The total quantity of phenolic compounds identified in AQUA-PEG (400.36 µg/mL), prepared according to our technology, is very similar to that of EEP (433.53 µg/mL), whereas the amount of phenolic acids was greater by 1.31-fold in AQUA-PEG and of flavonoids was greater by 2.38-fold in EEP. The antioxidant activity depends on the method used: by applying the ABTS and CUPRAC methods, both extracts demonstrate similar antioxidant (antiradical and reducing) activity, whereas in the case of the DPPH and FRAP method, significantly higher antioxidant activity was detected in EEP. This should be taken by researchers into account especially when interpreting the results and drawing conclusions about the antioxidant activity of propolis extracts. On the basis of the results, AQUA-PEG, prepared by the developed technology, can be used as an alternative form to ethanolic propolis extract, since it contains a large quantity of antioxidants, namely, flavonoids and phenolic acids. We believe that nonethanolic propolis extract has the prospect of being applied for the development of functional foods in order to alleviate certain symptoms of oxidative stress or for the prevention of some oxidative-stress-related diseases.

Comparison of aqueous, polyethylene glycol-aqueous and ethanolic propolis extracts: antioxidant and mitochondria modulating properties.

BACKGROUND: Propolis is multicomponent substance collected by honeybees from various plants. It is known for numerous biological effects and is commonly used as ethanolic extract because most of active substances of propolis are ethanol-soluble. However, water-based propolis extracts could be applied more safely, as this solvent is more biocompatible. On the other hand, water extracts has significantly smaller range and quantity of active compounds. The extraction power of water could be enhanced by adding co-solvent which increases both solubility and penetration of propolis compounds. However, variation of solvents results in different composition of active substances that might have distinct effects. The majority of biological effects of propolis are attributed to the antioxidant properties of its active compounds. Antioxidant effect might be a result of either direct scavenging of ROS or modulation of ROS producing organelle activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate and compare chemical composition, antioxidant properties and effects on mitochondrial respiration of aqueous (AqEP), polyethylene glycol-aqueous (Pg-AqEP) and ethanolic (EEP) propolis extracts. METHODS: Chemical composition of propolis extracts was determined using HPLC and Folin-Ciocalteu method. Ability to neutralize H2O2 and intracellular ROS concentration in C6 glioma cells were determined fluorometrically by using 10-acetyl-3,7-dihydroxyphenoxazine and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate, respectively. Mitochondrial superoxide generation was assessed under fluorescent microscope by using MitoSOX Red. Oxygen uptake rates of mitochondria were recorded by high-resolution respirometer Oxygraph-2 k. RESULTS: Our data revealed that phenolic acids and aldehydes make up 40-42% of all extracted and identified compounds in AqEP and Pg-AqEP and only 16% in EEP. All preparations revealed similar antioxidant activity in cell culture medium but Pg-AqEP and EEP demonstrated better mitochondrial superoxide and total intracellular ROS decreasing properties. At higher concentrations, AqEP and EEP inhibited mitochondrial respiration, but Pg-AqEP had concentration-dependent mitochondria-uncoupling effect. CONCLUSIONS: Aqueous and non-aqueous propolis extracts differ by composition, but all of them possess antioxidant properties and neutralize H2O2 in solution at similar efficiency. However, both Pg-AqEP and EEP were more effective in decreasing intracellular and intramitochondrial ROS compared to AqEP. At higher concentrations, these preparations affect mitochondrial functions and change energy production in C6 cells.

The impact of complex cardiac rehabilitation on manifestation of risk factors in patients with coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Each year more than 4.3 million people in Europe will die of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the implementation of simple interventions such as smoking cessation, weight loss, improved diets, and increased exercise is the top priority in prevention and rehabilitation programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of complex rehabilitation on the manifestation of risk factors and cardiac events in patients with coronary heart disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 140 patients with coronary heart disease and NYHA functional class II-IV ischemic heart failure were recruited to the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 70 patients who underwent a 6-month complex rehabilitation course (rehabilitation group) and 70 patients who received drug treatment only (control group). Smoking, dietary, and physical activity habits were documented using the questionnaires. Blood pressure (BP), body weight and height, and total serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride (Tg), and blood glucose levels were measured. Measurements were repeated after 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: After 6 months, significantly reduced systolic BP was observed in both the groups as compared with the baseline values (P<0.05). A significant decrease in the diastolic BP; total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and blood glucose levels; body mass index, and percentage of patients with the metabolic syndrome as compared with the baseline data was documented only in the rehabilitation group (P<0.05). All the patients quitted smoking as well as all the patients in the rehabilitation group changed their dietary habits (P<0.05). Fewer patients were excluded from the rehabilitation group because of cardiac events as compared with the control group (7.1% vs. 11.4%, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Complex long-term rehabilitation of cardiovascular patients significantly reduced the manifestation of major cardiovascular risk factors and the rate of cardiac events. Aerobic exercise must be the most important part of training but well-done resistance training must also be encouraged.

[The effectiveness of long-term rehabilitation in patients with cardiovascular diseases]. / Serganciuju sirdies ir kraujagysliu ligomis ilgalaikes reabilitacijos efektyvumas.

BACKGROUND: Screening results of EuroAspire III study have revealed the failure of effective correction of cardiovascular risk factors in all 22 participating EU countries. How long should cardiac rehabilitation programs last to impact motivation for lifestyle change? AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the impact of long-term (6 months) rehabilitation versus short-term (4 weeks) rehabilitation on the reduction of risk factors and cardiac events, as well as on the use of cardioprotective drugs. METHODS: Study contingent of 150 patients, suffering from functional class III-IV (NYHA) chronic heart failure caused by ischemic and hypertensive cardiomyopathy, was subjected to complex rehabilitation: exercise training, dietary corrections, and smoking cessation. The patients were divided into two groups: long-term rehabilitation group (n=80) and short-term rehabilitation group (n=70). Blood pressure, body mass index, dietary habits, dyslipidemia, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, chronic fatigue, and use of cardioprotective drugs were evaluated in all patients at the onset of study, after 4 weeks, and 6 months. Cardiovascular events were estimated throughout the whole 6-month period. RESULTS: In the long-term rehabilitation group, there was a significant reduction (P<0.05) in systolic blood pressure (151+/-9.2 vs. 135+/-9.7 mm Hg), diastolic blood pressure (92.3+/-6.5 vs. 75.4+/-3.8 mm Hg,) body mass index (35.4+/-3.5 vs. 27.2+/-4.8 kg/m(2)), dyslipidemia (56.3 vs. 23.4%), sedentary lifestyle (31.3 vs. 4.7%), and smoking (10.0 vs. 0%). The impact of a short-term rehabilitation was not significant. Because of cardiac events, 13 patients (16.3%) in the long-term rehabilitation group and 26 (16.3%) in the short-term rehabilitation group failed to complete the 6-month study (P<0.05). The following change in drug use pattern was noted in the long-term rehabilitation group: nitrates, 74 vs. 65%; digitalis, 42 vs. 32%; antiarrhythmic agents, 15 vs. 10%; statins, 36 vs. 20% (P<0.05). During 6 months, in both groups, because of better physician monitoring, there was no decrease in the use of major cardioprotective drugs, such as antiaggregants, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term (6 months) versus short-term (4 weeks) rehabilitation of cardiovascular patients significantly reduces manifestation of major cardiovascular risk factors, the rate of cardiac events, chronic fatigue and improves the use of cardioprotective drugs.