Effects of propolis on warfarin efficacy.

INTRODUCTION: Warfarin is commonly used to avoid thromboembolism, predominantly for cardiovascular pathologies. However, the consumption of several herbal products is not permitted during its use due to the associated interactions. Propolis is a popular phytotherapy product made by honey bees. The use of propolis has been dramatically increasing in recent times. AIM: To evaluate the possible interactions between propolis and warfarin in a mouse model with determination of the international normalized ratio (INR) values. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CD-1 mice were employed in the experimental model. The mice were warfarinized, and propolis was administered simultaneously. The INR values were obtained. All animals were sacrificed at the end of the study. RESULTS: The baseline INR value was 0.8 ±0.1. After 72 h, the INR value increased as expected. The INR value was 7.28 ±1.08 in the control group and 5.8 ±2.88 in the propolis group. At the end of the study, the INR value was 1.3 ±0.37. Propolis interacted with warfarin and caused a decrease in the INR value. CONCLUSIONS: Propolis interactions, especially with warfarin, should be kept in mind and further studied. Healthcare specialists should be aware of this possible interaction between warfarin and propolis and inform patients about it.

Does propolis have any effect on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of propolis on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats. The rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 as the NAFLD, NAFLD+100 and NAFLD+200 groups. The rats were fed with a fatty diet (25g/kg/day) to provoke NAFLD. Then after the formation of fatty liver, a standard diet (SD) (25g/kg/day) was given to the NAFLD group and the other two groups were fed with SD and 100mg/kg (NAFLD+100 Group) or 200mg/kg propolis (NAFLD+200 Group) for two weeks. At the end of two weeks the animals were sacrificed. Blood and tissue samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological evaluations. The propolis-treated groups had better results in serum lipids (total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, triglyceride), ALT, and ALP values. When compared with the NAFLD group, IL-6 and TNF-α values decreased in the NAFLD+100 and NAFLD+200 groups. The administration of propolis to the rats significantly reduced serum and tissue MDA and GPX values and increased SH in serum when compared with the NAFLD group. No difference was determined between the groups treated with two different doses of propolis in respect of biochemical values. When the mean histological scores of the groups were compared, statistically significant differences were found between the NAFLD group and the propolis-treated groups. No difference was determined between the groups treated with the two different doses of propolis in respect of histopathological results. Propolis had positive effects on histopathological and biochemical parameters of NAFLD and these effects were related to the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of propolis.

The effect of oral honey and pollen on postoperative intraabdominal adhesions.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We evaluated the effect of oral usage of honey and pollen, either separately or together, on postoperative intraabdominal adhesions. METHODS: Forty rats were randomly separated into 4 groups of 10 rats each. Abrasion was performed on the cecum, and a patch of peritoneum located opposite to the cecal abrasion was completely dissected. Group 1 rats received no treatment; Group 2 rats received 4 g/kg/day honey; Group 3 rats received 4 g/kg/day pollen; and Group 4 rats received 4 g/kg/day honey and pollen mixed in equal amounts, in addition to the standard feeding for postoperative 21 days. All the rats were sacrificed on the 21st day. Following the adhesion scoring, tissue specimens of the peritoneum and bowel were subjected to histopathological investigation. The tissue and blood specimens were also taken for biochemical analysis to investigate the antioxidant capacity. RESULTS: Adhesion scores were significantly different between the control and other groups. No dense adhesion was observed in the treatment groups. Tissue malondialdehyde levels were significantly different between the control and honey and honey+pollen groups. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione-peroxidase levels were significantly different between the control and other groups. Catalase levels were different between the control and honey groups. Plasma antioxidant levels were different between the control and other groups. The pathological scores for fibrosis and inflammation were significantly different between the control and other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Honey and pollen were found to be effective in preventing postoperative intraabdominal adhesions, and these effects were thought to be a result of their antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Antibacterial activity of Propolis versus conventional endodontic disinfectants against Enterococcus faecalis in infected dentinal tubules.

INTRODUCTION: The antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis of 2 propolis samples was investigated in a dentin block model, and their effectiveness was compared with that of established endodontic disinfectants, chlorhexidine (CHX) and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)(2)]. METHODS: Standardized dentin blocks were infected with E. faecalis ATCC 29212. The root canal space was filled with one of the ethanolic extracts of propolis (Artvin or Tekirdag mix [TM]), CHX 2%, Ca(OH)(2), or ethanol or phosphate-buffered saline for control. Canal dentin was sampled after 1 or 7 days by using a standard-size bur. The dentinal shavings were vortexed vigorously in phosphate-buffered saline, and aliquots were cultured on tryptone soy agar plates. Colonies were counted after 2 days of incubation. Statistical significance was set to 5%. RESULTS: All experimental agents significantly reduced the number of the cultivable bacteria. CHX was the most potent disinfectant at both times. Compared with the ethanol control, no significant reduction in the number of colonies was found for the propolis extracts at day 1; however, significant reduction was found at day 7. The 2 propolis samples were statistically similar to each other and to Ca(OH)(2), but the TM sample was also similar to CHX at day 7. This has been linked to the greater concentration of flavonoids, a group of antibacterially active compounds, in the TM sample as determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The antimicrobial activity of the propolis samples tested in this study was between Ca(OH)(2) and CHX. Both propolis samples were antimicrobially effective; however, their activity did not exceed CHX.

Propolis from Turkey induces apoptosis through activating caspases in human breast carcinoma cell lines.

Propolis is a sticky substance that is collected from plants by honeybees that has anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties with biological and therapeutic effects. The target of this study was to investigate the anti-apoptotic effect of propolis extracts (PE) on the caspase pathway in the human breast cell line MCF-7 in culture. Seven different propolis extracts, numbered PE 1-7, produced in their natural ecological environment, were collected from the Hacettepe University Beytepe Campus area in Ankara, Turkey. Individual extracts at 0.5, 0.25, 0.125 and 0.063mg/ml were incubated with MCF-7 cells during 2 days culture. Cell growth and cytotoxicity were measured colorimetrically by MTT assay. Apoptotic cell death was determined by the TUNEL method (terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-biotin nick end-labelling) and caspase activity was investigated by immunocytochemistry using antibodies directed against caspase 6, caspase 8 and caspase 9. The results showed that the PE 5 and 6 extracts at 0.125mg/ml dilution induced apoptosis in association with increased number of TUNEL positive cells. MTT results showed that cultures exposed to the same extracts and at the same dilution experienced better cell growth compared to those cultures exposed to the other extracts. Immunpositivity for all caspases was detected after treatment with all the extracts and at all dilutions, with stronger immunoreactivity for caspase 6 than caspases 8 and 9. Caspase 6 labelling was especially strong in PE 5 and PE 6. We conclude that propolis may have anti-tumour effects by increasing apoptosis through the caspase pathway. Such propolis extracts may be important economically and allow development of a relatively inexpensive cancer treatment.

Immunomodulatory effects of Turkish propolis: changes in neopterin release and tryptophan degradation.

In most of the diseases which are considered to benefit from propolis, cellular immune reaction is activated, neopterin levels in body fluids are increased and enhanced tryptophan degradation is observed. In this study, the immunomodulatory effects of six Turkish propolis samples were evaluated by using the in vitro model of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Concentrations of neopterin, tryptophan, kynurenine and pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were determined and also the viability of the cells was checked with trypan blue and MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] test. In PBMC treated with mitogen phytohaemagglutinin, neopterin production and tryptophan degradation by enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) as well as release of cytokines was significantly enhanced and upon treatment with propolis extracts all these effects were dose-dependently suppressed. Results show an immunomodulatory effect of propolis extracts which includes down-regulation of IDO activity. IDO enzyme is considered to play an important role in the development of immunodeficiency and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patient with chronic inflammation. The suppression of tryptophan degradation by propolis extracts may therefore be related with some of its beneficial health properties in humans.

The effects of scolicidal agent propolis on liver and biliary tree.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to examine the effects of propolis on the liver and biliary system when used as a scolicidal agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty Wistar-Albino rats were divided into two groups. Propolis and 0.9% saline (NaCl) were injected into the biliary tract of the rats. Three rats from control group and four rats from propolis group died within 5 days after the procedure. Blood samples of remaining 23 rats were obtained 1 week after and at the end of the experimental study for liver function tests. Six months after the procedure, retrograde and magnetic resonance cholangiography were performed and liver, common bile duct, and duodenum were excised en bloc for histopathological examination. RESULTS: Liver function tests were slightly elevated 1 week after the procedure and were found to be normal at the end of the sixth month in both groups. No stricture in the biliary tree was found on the retrograde and magnetic resonance cholangiograms. The tissue samples of the propolis group showed no histomorphological difference from the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Propolis may be used as a scolicidal agent even in the case of cystobiliary communication with no side effects on liver and biliary tree.

Effects of honey as a scolicidal agent on the hepatobiliary system.

AIM: To examine the effects of 10% diluted honey, which has been shown to be scolicidal, on the liver and biliary system and determine whether it could be used as a scolicidal agent in the presence of biliary-cystic communication. METHODS: Thirty Wistar-Albino rats were divided into two groups. Honey with 10% dilution in the study group and 0.9% saline (NaCl) in the control group were injected into the common bile ducts of rats through a 3-mm duodenotomy. The animals were sacrificed 6 mo after the procedure. Histopathological, biochemical, and radiological examinations were performed for evaluation of side effects. RESULTS: At the end of the sixth month, liver function tests were found to be normal in both groups. The tissue samples of liver and ductus choledochus of the honey group showed no histomorphologic difference from the control group. No stricture on the biliary tree was detected on the retrograde cholangiograms. CONCLUSION: According to these results, we concluded that 10% diluted honey could be used as scolicidal agent safely in the presence of biliary-cystic communication.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of propolis samples from different geographical origins against certain oral pathogens.

Propolis is an agent having antimicrobial properties, however, its composition can vary depending on the area where it is collected. In the present study, the antimicrobial activity of five propolis samples, collected from four different regions in Turkey and from Brazil, against nine anaerobic strains was evaluated. Ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP) were prepared from propolis samples and we determined minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of EEP on the growth of test microorganisms by using agar dilution method. All strains were susceptible and MIC values ranged from 4 to 512 microg/ml for propolis activity. Propolis from Kazan-Ankara showed most effective MIC values to the studied microorganisms. MBC values of Kazan-Ankara EEP samples were ranged from 8 to 512 microg/ml. Death was observed within 4 h of incubation for Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and micros and Lactobacillus acidophilus and Actinomyces naeslundii, while 8 h for Prevotella oralis and Prevotella melaninogenica and Porphyromonas gingivalis, 12 h for Fusobacterium nucleatum, 16 h for Veillonella parvula. It was shown that propolis samples were more effective against Gram positive anaerobic bacteria than Gram negative ones. The organic chemical compositions of EEPs were determined by high-resolution gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main compounds of EEPs were flavonoids such as pinobanksin, quercetin, naringenin, galangine, chrysin and aromatic acids such as cafeic acid. Because of increased antimicrobial resistance, propolis may be kept in mind in the treatment of oral cavity diseases.

Efficacy of propolis as an intracanal medicament against Enterococcus faecalis.

This study sought to compare the antibacterial efficacy of three commonly used intracanal medicaments with propolis against Enterococcus faecalis. This study utilized 180 freshly extracted single-rooted intact human permanent teeth with a single root canal. After root canal preparations and sterilization, canals were contaminated with E. faecalis and incubated at 37 degrees C (+/- 1.0 degrees C) for seven days. The teeth were divided randomly into six groups. To determine bacterial growth on blood agar, microbiological samples were carried out with sterile paper points to evaluate results at 48 hours and at ten days. All data were analyzed statistically with t-test, Mann Whitney, Kruskal Wallis, and one-way ANOVA tests. This study revealed that propolis had good in vitro antibacterial activity against E. faecalis in the root canals, suggesting that it could be used as an alternative intracanal medicament.

Evaluation on scolicidal efficacy of propolis.

BACKGROUND: Propolis is a resinous material collected by bees from various plants. It has antimicrobial, antioxidative, immunostimulative, and regenerative properties. We determined the scolicidal effect of propolis in different concentrations and various exposure times. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tubes containing Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces were supplemented with different concentrations of ethyl alcohol extract of propolis. At the end of the incubation times, viability of protoscoleces was assessed by trypan blue exclusion test. We also applied 5 ml of 1 microg/ml propolis intraperitoneally for determination of side effects and mortality rates. RESULTS: We determined that 1 microg/ml concentration of propolis killed all of the protoscoleces at the end of the 3rd minute. In the in vivo part of the study, intraperitoneal application of propolis did not cause any side effects or mortality. CONCLUSION: We concluded that this natural agent can be used as a potent scolicidal agent after studies which will determine in vivo efficacy and the effects on liver and biliary tree when injected directly into the common bile duct.

The effect of Trifolium, Raphanus, and Cistus pollen grains on some blood parameters and mesentery mast cells.

Three kinds of pollen taxa belonging to 3 families (Fabaceae--Trifolium spp., Brassicaceae--Raphanus spp. and Cistaceae--Cistus spp.) and commonly collected by honeybees were fed to mature male rats separately, in the form of 60 mg/animal/day for a 30-day period. The objective of this study was to investigate any positive effects or possible side effects of the use of pollen on the immune system. This was achieved through blood analysis and cell count on blood, hemoglobin, erythrocyte and immune system cells. The cell concentration of mast cells, degranulization and cell localization were investigated in prepared mesentery tissue samples. Histological investigations of the stomach and duedenum sections of pollen-fed rats were carried out to learn the reason for eosinophil gastroenteritis in the alimentary canal. The eosinophil and lymphocyte levels of rats fed with pollen of Trifolium spp., Raphanus spp., and Cistus spp. were observed to have increased blood cell counts, while neutrophil and monocyte levels decreased; different values were found in basophil leucocytes between the pollen groups. Differing reductions in mesentery mast cell concentration, degranulization and cell localization were found. Within the three separate pollens, the rats having been fed with Cistus spp. pollen were observed to have higher blood lymphocyte, eosinophil, hemoglobin and hematocrit values than those fed with the others, as well as low mesentery mast cell concentration. Hemoglobin values were determined to increase at a proportion of between 10.0-11.3%. No difference was found in other blood parameters. The fat proportion of the male rats fed with the three taxa was between 4.03-8.75%, while that for protein proportion was between 16.11-24.25%. Male rats receiving these taxa did not experience allergic reactions and it is possible to argue that the low protein and fat content of these pollens have a strengthening effect on the immune systems by the increase in lymphocyte content and the amount of hemoglobin leads to an increase of oxygen transport capacity in the tissues.

The scolicidal effects of honey.

Echinococcosis is a zoonosis that is caused by adult or larval tapeworms belonging to the genus Echinococcus. Until now, no studies have sought to determine the scolicidal effects of honey. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to explore the scolicidal effects of honey in different concentrations for various exposure times. Tubes that contained at least 500 protoscolices were supplemented with 1%, 5%, 10%, 25%, and 50% concentrations of honey. Tubes were maintained at room temperature for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 min. At the end of the incubation times, the viability of protoscolices was assessed through a trypan blue exclusion test. The effective dose of honey was applied intraperitoneally to determine whether it caused an anaphylactic reaction or hyperglycemia. Honey concentrations of 10% or greater killed all protoscolices. The scolicidal effects of honey began at the end of the third minute. Honey did not cause adverse effects when applied intraperitoneally. In this study, an investigation of the scolicidal effects of honey showed that it is highly effective at a 10% concentration. On the basis of in vivo study results, the investigators concluded that honey is a potent scolicidal agent.

Chemical compositions and antimicrobial activities of four different Anatolian propolis samples.

Propolis means a gum that is gathered by bees from various plants. It is known for its biological properties, having antibacterial, antifungal and healing properties. The aims of this study were to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of four different Anatolian propolis samples on different groups of microorganisms including some oral pathogens and comparison between their chemical compositions. Ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP) were prepared from four different Anatolian propolis samples and examined whether EEP inhibit the growth of the test microorganisms or not. For the antimicrobial activity assays, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined by using macrodilution method. The MIC values of the most effective propolis (TB) were 2 microg/ml for Streptococcus sobrinus and Enterococcus faecalis, 4 microg/ml for Micrococcus luteus, Candida albicans and C. krusei, 8 microg/ml for Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterobacter aerogenes, 16 microg/ml for Escherichia coli and C. tropicalis and 32 microg/ml for Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The chemical compositions of EEP's were determined by high-temperature high-resolution gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The main compounds of four Anatolian propolis samples were flavonoids such as pinocembrin, pinostropin, isalpinin, pinobanksin, quercetin, naringenin, galangine and chrysin. Although propolis samples were collected from different regions of Anatolia all showed significant antimicrobial activity against the Gram positive bacteria and yeasts. Propolis can prevent dental caries since it demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against the microorganisms such as Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and C. albicans, which involves in oral diseases.