Corrigendum to "Antioxidant Activity of a Geopropolis from Northeast Brazil: Chemical Characterization and Likely Botanical Origin".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2017/4024721.].

Antiviral activity of geopropolis extract from Scaptotrigona Aff. postica against rubella virus

The search for functional foods, which possess bioactive substances, is a new trend for the obtention of alternative and more effective treatments of many diseases with fewer side effects. Geopropolis, elaborated by stingless bees, is a mixture of plant resin sources, wax and soil. In the geopropolis from Scaptotrigona affinis postica (Latreille, 1807), (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) was not observed the presence of soil. In a previous study, the extract of geopropolis provided by the beekeeper, from S. postica of Barra do Corda, Maranhão State, exhibited potent antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus. In this study, the propolis extract was prepared experimentally and characterized by RP-HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antiviral activity of an experimentally prepared geopropolis extract from S. postica against Rubella Virus infected Statens Serum Institute Rabbit Cornea (SIRC) cells. Rubella virus infection of susceptible women during the first trimester of pregnancy, often results in a combination of birth defects in newborns. There is not an effective treatment for rubella virus infection. Different protocols were carried out to evaluate, the antiviral effect of geopropolis extract on the viral replication of infectious RV. Cell viability and cell proliferation assays indicated that this geopropolis was not toxic to cultured SIRC cells. In the viral binding assay, antiviral assay, real-time PCR, and transmission electron microscopy, was observed that different concentrations of geopropolis (17, 34 and 68 µg/mL) was able to inhibit the binding of virions to the cell receptor and the production of infectious RV particles in post treated and pre treated infected SIRC cells. The antiviral activity could to be attributed to the high contents of the apigenin derivatives, vicenin-2 and schaftoside. As far as we know, this is the first report about the antiviral activity of geopropolis from Scaptotrigona postica against a Togaviridae virus.

Antioxidant Activity of a Geopropolis from Northeast Brazil: Chemical Characterization and Likely Botanical Origin.

Geopropolis is a product containing wax, plant resin, and soil particles. It is elaborated by stingless bees of tribe Meliponini. Methanol extracts of sample of geopropolis produced by Scaptotrigona aff. depillis [corrected] ("mandaguari") in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN, northeast Brazil) were analyzed for the determination of standard parameters (total phenols, total flavonoids, and radical scavenging activity) and chemical characterization by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis. The sample analyzed has high contents of total phenols and flavonoids, as well as high antioxidant activity. The constituents characterized were mainly flavonols, such as quercetin methyl ethers, and methoxychalcones. Such chemical profile is similar to the composition of a green propolis from the same area of RN, which is produced by Africanized Apis mellifera, using shoot apices of Mimosa tenuiflora, popularly known as "jurema-preta." This finding provides evidence that "mandaguari" geopropolis and honeybee propolis have the same botanical origin in RN. The sharing of a plant resin source by phylogenetically distant bees (Apinae and Meliponinae) suggests that bee genetic factors play little role in the choice of plants for resin collection and that the availability of potential botanical sources plays a decisive role.

New propolis type from north-east Brazil: chemical composition, antioxidant activity and botanical origin.

BACKGROUND: Propolis is a bee product with wide diversity of biological activity. It has a complex composition, which is dependent on its botanical source. The present study aimed to determine the chemical profile, antioxidant activity and botanical origin of two samples of a propolis type from two locations of the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN, north-east Brazil). RESULTS: The standard chemical characteristics of the RN propolis are similar or superior to the internationally marketed Brazilian green propolis. RN propolis from two locations have high antioxidant activity, corresponding to 10% (municipality of Afonso Bezerra) and 13% (municipality of Alto do Rodrigues) of quercetin activity by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method and to 15% (both locations) by the ß-carotene discoloration method. High-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD)-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry analyses revealed that most constituents of the RN propolis are flavonoids, mainly flavonols and chalcones. HPLC-DAD analysis of ethanol extracts revealed a great similarity between the chemical profile of RN propolis and shoot apices of 'jurema-preta' (Mimosa tenuiflora, Leguminosae, Mimosoideae). CONCLUSION: 'Jurema-preta' shoot apices are likely resin sources of RN propolis. The chemical characteristics and antioxidant property of RN propolis provide promising prospects for the introduction of this type of propolis into the apicultural market. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Composition of the volatile fraction of a sample of Brazilian green propolic and its phytotoxic activity.

BACKGROUND: Propolis is a resinous material produced by honeybees, containing mainly beeswax and plant material. Despite the wide spectrum of biological activity of propolis, to our knowledge no studies have been carried out about phytotoxic properties of Brazilian propolis and its constituents. The aims of this study were to analyze the chemical composition and to evaluate the phytotoxic activity of the volatile fraction of a sample of Brazilian green propolis. RESULTS: Main constituents are the phenylpropanoid 3-prenylcinnamic acid allyl ester (26.3%) and the sesquiterpene spathulenol (23.4%). Several other sesquiterpenes and phenylpropanoids, in addition to linalool and α-terpineol (monoterpenes), were also detected. The activity of solutions of the volatile fraction at 1.0, 0.5 and 0.1% was tested on lettuce seeds and seedlings. The solution at 1% inhibited completely the seed germination and solutions at 0.1 and 0.5% reduced the germination rate index. The solution at 0.5% reduced the growth of the hypocotyl-radicle axis and the development of the cotyledon leaf. CONCLUSIONS: The chemical composition of the volatile fraction of this Brazilian green propolis is different from those previously described, and these results may contribute to a better understanding about the chemical variations in propolis. The volatile fraction of Brazilian green propolis influences both germination of seed lettuce and the growth of its seedlings, showing an phytotoxic potential.

Does propolis contain tannins?

Although polyphenols have been reported as common constituents of propolis, tannins have rarely been mentioned as its constituents. Propolis samples from seven localities in Brazil were analyzed for detection of proanthocyanidins (condensed tannins) and determination of the tannin content. Positive reaction for proanthocyanidins was observed for all samples tested. The contents of tannins varied in the range 0.6-4.1%. A high degree of correlation was noted between total phenols and tannin content. Red and green propolis contained high contents of tannins, while in brown propolis the content was lower. It is suggested that the contents of tannins should be a parameter to be considered in propolis characterization.