Date: Tue, 02 Dec 1997 03:07:41 +0200
From: Durk Ellison
Subject: Propolis
EIGHT INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON TRENDS
IN BIOMEDICINE IN FINLAND: ALLERGY, OXIDANTS AND
ANTIOXIDANTS, AND HUMAN HEALTH
Orion, Orionint. 1, Espoo, Finland
14.11.97
ABSTRACTS & ESSAYS
ARRANGED BY THE FINNISH SOCIETY FOR BIOLOGICAL MEDICINE
The Ability of bee products to modulate human immuno system
L Mackevicius, L.R. Cerniauskiene, D. Reingardiene,
R. Preiksa. Z. Varskeviviene. L. Berontiene, L. Margeviciene
Kaunas Medical Academy Kaunas Academiy Clinics
Leiveniu St.2
Institute of Cardiology
Sukiteliu St. 17
3007 Kaunas
Lithuania
The human body is constantly under attack of free radicals. Free
radicals are highly reactive molecules by the biochemical redox
reactions that occur as part of normal metabolism and by exposure to
environmental factors such as u.v. light, cigarette smoke,environmental
pollutants and gamma radiation.
Once formed, free radicals attack cell structures within the body. As a
result, free radicals have been implicated in numerous diseases examples
of which are listed below: Cancer, atheroscleroses rheumatoid arthritis,
diabetes, cataracts conditions associated with premature birth, motor
neurone disease, liver damage, respiratory disease, central nervous
system disorders.
In healthy individuals, the antioxidant system defends tissues against
free radical attack; three classes of antioxidant defend the body
against free radical attack. Primary antioxidants - superoxide
dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, cacruloplasmin prevent the formation
of new free radical species. Secondary antioxidants - vitamin E, vitamin
C, B carotine, uric acid, bilirubin and albumin trap newly formed free
radicals before they can initiate chain reactions leading to cell damage
and further free radical formation. Tertiary antioxidants - DNA repair
enzymes. Methionine sulphoxidereductase repair cell structures damaged
by free radical attack. Deficiencies in the antioxidant system can
develop for a number of reasons low intake of dietary antioxidants,
diseases that reduce the absorption of antioxidant nutrients from food
(Crohn's Disease), total parenteral nutrition renal dialysis.
In these situations the antioxidant system struggles to protect the body
from free radical attack and as a result the risk of free
radical-mediated disease increases. It is also known that bee venom,
honey, royal jelly, pollen, bee bread are also antioxidantic products
and can be used by patients treated by HBO.
PROPOLIS
Propolis is a natural substance collected by honey bees from buds and
trees. Propolis contains tree resin, essential oils, waxes and
bioflavonoids. Biofiavonoids are one of the most important components
in propolis; the antioxidant effects of bioflavonoids help maintain a
healthy system.
The results achieved in Kaunas Academical hospital and in some other
hospitals are presented here:
Qualitative compositon of propolis:
* Flavonoids
* Chalcones, Dihydrochalcones
* Aliphatic acid and their esters
* Long chain aliphatic acids
* Esters of some short chain volatile oils
* Aromatic acids and their esters
* Benzoic acid and derivatives
* Aldehyds
* Alcohols
* Cinnamic acid and its derivatives
* Other acid and derivatives
* Ketones, phenols and heteroaromatic compounds
* Terpene, sesquiterpene alcohols and their derivatives
* Terpenoids and other compounds
* Sesquiterpenes and triterpene hydrocarbons
* Volatile compounds
* Hydrocarbons
* Alifhatic hydrocarbons
* Sterols and steroid hydrocarbons
* Sugar
* Lactones
* Alfa and Beta- amilass
* Amino acids
* Derivatives of nucleic acids
* Vitamins
* Minerals
* Anaerobic Transhydrogenases
* Other substances
* Insoluble in water and organic solvents part
* Pollutants
Propolis contains about:
* 55% resins and balsams
* 7,5%-35% waxes
* 10% volatile oils
* 5% pollen
* 5% fatty acids
* 4,4%-195 impurities
* terpenes
* tannin substances, salivary gland secretion of the bees and accidental
compounds
Flavones:
* acacetin
* chrysin
* tectochrysin
* apigenin
* pectolinaringenin
Flavonol
* galangin
* Galangin- 3-methyl ether
* isalpinin
* kaempferide
* kaemferol
* quecetin
* quercetin-3,3-dimethylether
* rhamnocitrin
* rhamnetin
* isorhamnetin
Lavonones:
* pinostrobin
* sakuranetin
Lavononols:
* pinobanksin etc.
An antioxidantic action of propolis has been an object of several
studies.
The aim of this study is to investigate the action of propolis on lipid
peroxidation level in blood lipoproteins in vitro.
Methods. Free radical generation marker thiobarbituric acid reactive
materials (TBARM) was measured by fluorimetrical method in blood serum
lipoproteins samples after their 20 min. Incubation with propolis (0,2
ml of 0,2%, 1%, and 2% athanolic solution).
MDA concentration was measured in samples after incubation by
fluorimetrical method (K. Yagi, 1976). Fluorescence intensity was
measured at 515nm, using "Hitachi" spectrofluorimeter.
In serum samples, incubated with 0,2%. propolis, MDA concentration was
significantly lower than in control samples (Figure). In samples,
incubated with 1 and 2 % propolis, MDA concentration was higher than in
control sample: in samples,incubated with 20%. propolis, MDA
concentration was significantly higher than in control samples(p<0.05).
VITAMINS
B1, B2, B6, C, E nicotinic acid, panthothenic acid A
The vitamins in propolis are in very small amounts being related mainly
to the pollen content.
MINERALS
Sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), barium (Ba),
boron (B) (traces), strontium (Sr), zinc (Zn), cadium (Cd), aluminium
silicon (Si), lead (Pb),selenium (Se) (traces), iron (Fe), nickel
(Ni),chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), titanium (Ti), silver (Ag), copper
(Cu),cobalt (CO), molybdenum (Mo), vanadium(V)
(FIGURE)
Figure. Malondialdegyde production in blood serum samples (from four
donors), incubated 20 min. with ethanol solution of propolis ( 0,1 and
2%). Malondialdehyde level was expressed as percentage deviation from
its level in control samples, incubated with ethanol.
Regards from:
Durk Ellison
Vantaa, Finland
BeeNet : 240:346/300.8
e-mail : Durk.Ellison@beenet.pp.sci.fi
Packet : oh2zas @ oh2rbt.#hki.fin.eu
Created: 12/2/97