editorial propolis: properties, application, and its potential

Hindawi Publishing CorporationEvidence-Based Complementary and Alternative MedicineVolume 2013, Article ID 807578, 2 pageshttp://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/807578

EditorialPropolis: Properties, Application, and Its Potential

Wojciech Król,1 Vassya Bankova,2 José Maurício Sforcin,3 Ewelina Szliszka,1

Zenon Czuba,1 and Andrzej K. Kuropatnicki4

1 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland2 Institute of Organic Chemistry, Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria3 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, UNESP, 18618-000 Botucatu, SP, Brazil4 Pedagogical University of Krakow, 31-128 Krakow, Poland

Correspondence should be addressed to Wojciech Krol; [email protected]

Received 8 July 2013; Accepted 8 July 2013

Copyright © 2013 Wojciech Krol et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License,which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Propolis is a honeybee product known for its biologicaland pharmacological properties for centuries. It has beenextensively used in traditional medicine and also, because ofits antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and anestheticactivities, in complementary medicine. Propolis became sub-ject of numerous studies developed and carried out all overthe world in order to analyze its chemical composition as wellas medicinal properties.

The inspiration for this special issue was the tenthanniversary of death of Professor Stan Scheller, a precursor ofpropolis research in Poland. For this special issue we invitedinvestigators and scholars to submit original research reportsand review articles as well as short communications on thetopic of propolis: its history, the history of the research onpropolis, chemical composition of propolis, activity of propo-lis, and application of propolis in medicine, dentistry andveterinary medicine. More than 50 papers were submittedfrom which we have selected 41 which represent the rich andmultifaceted knowledge. They cover a wide range of topicsand are divided into review and research articles.

The research articles provide background and are thestarting point for discussion of research trends in generalterms. They deal with historical aspects of propolis researchand focus on Professor Scheller’s pioneer studies on propolisthat commenced in Poland in the early 1960s. It was Schellerand his teamwho developed amethod of introducing ethanolextracts of propolis into aqueous solutions. They showedthat propolis acts as antioxidant and radioprotector, stim-ulates regeneration of tissue, and has immunomodulatory

properties. Another paper describes Scheller’s achievementsin applying propolis in the treatment of burns, venousulcerations, suppurative osteitis, and arthritis as well aspostoperative wound complications.

Some authors describe advances in the studies on chem-ical composition of propolis as well as botanical sourcesresulting in its geographically conditioned diversity. Inanother paper the authors present developments in theanalysis and pharmacological properties of propolis whichare the starting point for preparation standardization usingas an example Romanian propolis. Practical applicationsof propolis in medicinal therapy and cosmetics are alsoreviewed. A separate group of papers deals with prophylacticand medicinal properties of propolis preparations in thetreatment of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, oral diseases,and wound healing.

Most of the articles in this special issue are of researchcharacter. They present the results of a variety of studiescomprising different propolis extracts and their fractions aswell as chemical compounds isolated from them.The articlesdescribe experimental studies, both in vitro and in vivo, andclinical studies.

One group of articles deals with anticancer properties ofpropolis. The effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) onepithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human pancre-atic cancer cells was investigated. The authors conclude thatCAPE could inhibit the orthotopic growth and EMT of pan-creatic cancer cells.The assessment of cytotoxic action of geo-propolis produced by stingless bees on canine osteosarcoma

2 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

cells showed that it was efficient against OSA cells in a dose-and time-dependent way. Bioactive fraction of geopropoliswas also shown to decrease neutrophils migration in inflam-matory process.Other authors showed that nymphaeol-A, themajor component of Okinawan propolis, suppresses angio-genesis and that is why it may be a useful agent for preventingtumor-induced angiogenesis. In other studies, anticanceractivity of the ethanol extract of Indian stingless bee propoliswas explored by testing the cytotoxic and apoptotic effectsin four different cancer cell lines at different concentrations.It was demonstrated that antioxidant potential of Indianstingless bee propolis substantiates its anticancer activity.

Another group of articles deals with anti-inflammatoryand immunomodulatory activity of propolis. Some re-searchers showed that Brazilian green propolis and Chinese(poplar type) propolis demonstrate anti-inflammatory prop-erty. Brazilian green propolis extract proved to be effective inregulating inflammasomeswhich are formed in the cell cystolin response to stress signals, toxins, and microbial infections.It also showed a direct action against parasite and displayedimmunomodulatory effects on murine macrophages.

A separate group of articles deals with wound heal-ing. Propolis proved effective in decreasing the amountof free radicals in burn wounds. Propolis burn treatmentled to enhanced collagens and its components expression.Application of propolis ointment for topical treatment ofnonhealing venous leg ulceration accelerated the healingprocess. Other studies demonstrated the ability of propolisphenolic acids and vanillin to penetrate into skin epidermisand dermis and thus to contribute to skin protection fromfree radicals formed under UV and premature skin aging.Also Brazilian green propolis which contains biocellulosemembranes demonstrates antimicrobial activity and woundhealing properties and as such is a promising biomaterialfor skin wound healing. From another paper it is clear thatpropolis accelerates chondroitin/dermatan sulfates structuremodification responsible for binding growth factors whichplay a crucial role in the tissue repair.

Use of propolis in dentistry is the topic of anothergroup of articles. The exposure of Streptococcus mutansand Lactobacilli isolated from saliva to ethanol extract ofPolish propolis showed its antibacterial effect. Brazilian greenpropolis demonstrated a similar effect to miconazole inthe treatment of Candida-associated denture stomatitis. Atoothpaste containing propolis was found to be effective inimproving oral health and treatment of gingivitis caused bydental plaque. A good effect on the health of oral cavitywas also demonstrated when studying the application oftoothpaste containing ethanol extract of Brazilian propolis.EEP had a positive influence on hygiene, gingival condition,and oralmicroflora in patients with cleft lip and palate treatedwith fixed orthodontic appliances.

Propolis was shown to have antidepressant-like proper-ties, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxic activity, and protectiveeffect against liver damage with cholestasis. Polyphenolsthat are contained in propolis possess immunomodulatory,chemopreventive, and antitumor effects. They exert theirchemopreventive effect by multiple molecular mechanismson apoptosis signaling pathways in cancer cells. EEP and

polyphenols isolated from propolis have been shown tosensitize cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

We envision that this special issue will arise more interestin propolis and more interesting investigations will be con-ducted.

Acknowledgments

The editors would like to express appreciation to the authorsof this special issue for their contributions. Special thanks goto the reviewers for their evaluation of the manuscripts andall the critical commentswhich helped to improve the contentof the submitted works.

Wojciech KrolVassya Bankova

Jose Maurıcio SforcinEwelina Szliszka

Zenon CzubaAndrzej K. Kuropatnicki

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editorial propolis: properties, application, and its potential

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