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Propolis and it's effects on fungus or candida

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:22:01 +0000

What is Candida?

Candida is a form of parasitic fungus which resemble yeasts and occur especially in the mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract. Though usually benign, they can become pathogenic, causing diseases including candidiasis and thrush.

The List of Studies on the Effects of Propolis on Candida

1) Effect of commercial ethanol propolis extract on the in vitro growth of Candida albicans collected from HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative Brazilian patients with oral candidiasis.

Authors:Martins RS; Péreira ES; Lima SM; Senna MI; Mesquita RA; Santos VR
Department of Clinical Pathology and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Minas Gerais Federal University, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Summary of Research:
The present study assessed the susceptibility of Candida albicans strains, collected from HIV-positive patients with oral candidiasis, to a commercial 20% ethanol propolis extract (EPE) and compare it to the inhibitory action of the standardized antifungal agents nystatin (NYS), clotrimazole (CL), econazole (EC), and fluconazole (FL).

Twelve C. albicans strains collected from HIV-positive patients with oral candidiasis were tested. The inhibition zones were measured with a pachimeter and the results are reported as means and standard deviation (M +/- SD).

Data were analyzed statistically by the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. EPE inhibited all the C. albicans strained tested. No significant difference was observed between the results obtained with NYS and EPE, while significant differences were observed between EPE and other antifungals.

The C. albicans strains tested showed resistance to the remaining antifungal agents. The propolis extract used in this study inhibited the in vitro growth of C. albicans collected from HIV-seropositive Brazilian patients, creating/forming inhibition zones like those ones formed by NYS.

This fact suggests that commercial EPE could be an alternative medicine in the treatment of candidiasis from HIV-positive patients. However, in vivo studies of the effect of EPE are needed to determine its possible effects on the oral mucosa.

Journal: Juornal of Oral Science
Issue: 2002 Mar;44(1):41-8.

2) Seasonal Effect of Brazilian Propolis on Candida albicans AND Candida tropicalis

Authors: J. M. SFORCIN,A. FERNANDES JÚNIOR, C. A. M. LOPES, S. R. C. FUNARI, V. BANKOVA
1. Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil;
2 Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Summary of Research:
Recently, propolis has been attracting the attention of researchers due to various biological activities and therapeutic properties. In Brazil, propolis is produced all year long, so there may be some seasonal variations.

This work was carried out in order to compare propolis collected during the four seasons by its in vitro antimicrobial activity on yeast pathogens isolated from human infections. Propolis was produced by africanized honeybees in Botucatu, São Paulo State, collected throughout a year and pooled by season.

Hydroalcoholic solutions of propolis were prepared with each pool and diluted in agar, using serial concentrations of propolis from each pool. A determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed.

The results show that Candida tropicalis and Candida albicans were susceptible to low concentrations of propolis, the latter showing a higher susceptibility. No differences were seen in relation to seasonal effects in the minimal inhibitory concentration of propolis.

Journal: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins
Issue: v.7 n.1 Botucatu 2001

3) Antifungal activity of propolis on different species of Candida

Authors: Claudia Ota, Carmelinda Unterkircher, Vera Fantinato, M. T. Shimizu
Dental School, UNESP, São José dos Campos, SP, University of Vale do Paraíba, IP & D, and Pharmacy School, São Francisco University, USF, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brasil.

Summary of Research:
Propolis is a resinous material collected by bees from the buds or other parts of plants. It is known for its biological properties, having antibacterial, antifungal and healing properties.

The antifungal activity of propolis was studied in sensitivity tests on 80 strains of Candida yeasts: 20 strains of Candida albicans, 20 strains of Candida tropicalis, 20 strains of Candida krusei and 15 strains of Candida guilliermondii.

The yeasts showed a clear antifungal activity with the following order of sensitivity: C. albicans>C. tropicalis>C. krusei>C. guilliermondii.

Patients with full dentures who used a hydroalcoholic propolis extract showed a decrease in the number of Candida.

Journal: Mycoses
Issue: Volume 44 Issue 9-10 Page 375 – November 2001

4) The effect of Brazilian Propolis on the germ tube formation and cell walls of Candida Albicans

Authors: André Marinho Mello, Rafael Tomaz Gomes, Simone Resende Lara, L. Gomes Silva, José Bento Alves, Maria Esperanza Cortés, Sheila Lemos Abreu, Vagner Rodrigues Santos. .

Summary of Research:
Candidal adherence has been implicated as the first step in the pathogenesis of oral
candidosis, and germ tube formation by Candida albicans has been attributed as co-factor that promotes adherence.

Propolis, a natural product produced by the honeybee, has been shown to
possess antifungal activity although the mechanism of its action remains unclear.

The aim of this study was to investigate the germ tube formation capacity of C.albicans (ATCC18804) following its exposure to Brazilian Green Propolis (BGP) at different concentrations. The ultrastructural topographic features of the yeast cells exposed to propolis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and light microscopy (LM) were performed to investigate the morphology of the yeast. Yeast cell suspensions were added to tubes containing foetal calf serum medium (2 h-37ºC). Nystatin and C. glabrata (ATCC 2001) were used as control.
Absence of germ tube formation (LM) occurred at 0,33 µg/mL. The ultrastructural findings (TEM) showed hyperplasia and changes in the cell surface at 0,43 µg/mL . It is suggested that the antifungal activity of propolis is due to changes in the cell wall leading to an increase of volume and membrane rupture. The positive results suggest that propolis should be further tested as an alternative therapy for infectious conditions of the oral cavity, such candidiasis
and denture stomatitis.

Journal: Pharmacologyonline
Issue: Archive 29

Propolis and it's role against tumor in mice

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:14:53 +0000

Summary of Research:

BACKGROUND: Propolis has numerous biologic activities including antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. The present work is aimed to study the effect of crude Egyptian propolis on tumor in mice induced by Ehrlich ascitis carcinoma (EAC) cell line.

The Results

The administration of propolis (160 mg/kg body weight), by gastric intubation 2 h before the intraperitoneal injection of EAC, effectively inhibited tumor growth and the proliferation of EAC.

The tumor volume was markedly reduced from 7+/-0.9 ml in EAC-infected mice to 1.6+/-0.95 ml in propolis-treated mice. Also, the lipid peroxide level which was 13.3+/-1.24 nmol malodialdehyde (MDA)/mg protein in EAC infected mice was significantly decreased to 3.3+/-2.1 nmol MDA/mg protein.

Reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) concentrations were markedly increased in propolis-treated mice. This effect was associated with inhibition of cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis.

Administration of propolis 2 h before injection of EAC arrested cells in G0/G1 phase and resulted in a decrease in the viability, DNA, total RNA and protein level of tumor cells.

Conclusions

Crude Egyptian propolis has a strong inhibitory activity against tumors. The anti-tumor mechanism may be mediated by preventing oxidative damage and induction of apoptosis.

Authors: El-khawaga OA; Salem TA; Elshal MF
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, Egypt. elkhawaga70s@mans.edu.eg

Journal: Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry
Issue: 2003; 338(1-2):11-6
ISSN :0009-8981

Effect of propolis extract on malignant cell transformation by moloney murine sarcoma virus

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:10:36 +0000

Summary of Research:

An aqueous extract of propolis was found to significantly inhibit NIH/3T3 cell malignant transformation by Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MuSV-124).

The inhibitory effect of propolis extract was most effective when it was added 2 h before infection or at the time of infection. The continuous presence of propolis extract in the culture medium was essential for full prevention of malignant cell transformation. When treatment with propolis extract was terminated, five to ten days post-infection, there was a significant recovery in cell transformation.

These results suggest that propolis extract inhibits a late step after provirus integration into the host genome. Addition of propolis extract after infection with MuSV significantly inhibited cell transformation.

The inhibitory effect of propolis appeared to be the result of the inhibition of primary–not secondary–infections, since MuSV-124 yields a virus-nonproducing infection.

Authors: Huleihel M; Ishano V
The Institute for Applied Biosciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. mahmoudh@bgumail.bgu.ac.il

Journal: Archives of Virology
Issue: Volume 146, Number 8 / August, 2001
Pages: 1517-1526
ISSN : 0304-8608 (Print) 1432-8798 (Online)

Effects of propolis on herpes

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:05:57 +0000

The Objective & Methods Used

To test the inhibitory effect of propolis extract against herpes simplex viruses in vitro and in vivo.

In vitro: propolis was added to Vero cells at various times and concentrations before, at or after infection with HSV-1.
In vivo: the effect of propolis was tested in newborn rats infected s.c. or i.p. and on rabbit come as infected with HSV-1.

The Results

In vitro: 0.5% propolis extract caused 50% inhibition of HSV infection. There was indirect evidence for a strong interaction between the propolis extract and the surface of the Vero cells, but there was no direct interaction with HSV-1 particles.

Administration of propolis before or at the time of infection yielded the most significant inhibitory effect, but even when 10% propolis extract was added 2 hours post-infection it gave 80-85% protection.

In vivo: As little as 5% propolis prevented the appearance and development of symptoms of local and i.p. HSV-1 infection in rats and of corneal HSV-1 infection in rabbits. There were no cytotoxic effects at a concentration of 10% in vitro or 20% in vivo.

Conclusion

The potent antiviral activity of propolis against HSV-1 infection in vitro and In vivo is probably due to prevention of virus absorption into the host cells and/or inhibition of an internal step(s) during the viral replication cycle.

Authors: Huleihel M; Isanu V
The Institute for Applied Biosciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. mahmoudh@bgumail.bgu.ac.il

Journal: The Israel Medical Association journal
Issue: 2002; 4(11 Suppl):923-7
ISSN :1565-1088

Effect of propolis on human cartilage and chondrocytes

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:59:51 +0000

Introduction

Propolis, a natural product derived from plant resins collected by the honeybees, has been used for thousands of years in folk medicine for several purposes.

The extract that contains amino acids, phenolic acids, phenolic acid esters, flavonoids, cinnamic acid, terpenes and caffeic acid, possesses several biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory, anti-viral and anti-bacterial.

The Stuudy

In this study, we assay the effects of propolis extract on the production of key molecules released during chronic inflammatory events as nitric oxide (NO) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in cultures of human cartilaginous tissues and chondrocytes, stimulated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta).

We observed that this natural compound and its active principle, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), were able to contrast the harmful effects of IL-1beta.

Our data clearly demonstrated the protective action of propolis in cartilage alteration, that appears greater than that elicited by indomethacin, commonly employed in joint diseases.

Authors: Cardile V; Panico A; Gentile B; Borrelli F; Russo A
Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Catania, v.le A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy

Journal: Life Sciences
Issue: 2003; 73(8):1027-35
ISSN :0024-3205

Treating Periodontitis with Propolis

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:53:06 +0000

The Study

Four patients, a 36 year old male and 3 females (42, 46, 51 years) with dental calculus, gingivitis, oedema, bleeding, gingival recession, pocket depths, attachment loss, suppuration, tooth mobility and alveolar bone loss were treated using Brazilian propolis gel treatment .

At the same time, dental brushing and mouth washing with propolis solution daily was also carried out through during their 5 weeks treatment.

The results shown a regression of 95% gingivitis and suppuration in all the teeth irrigated with Brazilian propolis, as well as a pocket depths reduction in all unsubmitted and submitted teeth.

The Conclusion

The results suggested that 10% Brazilian Propolis gel could be used as an alternative therapeutic method for the treatment of chronic teeth problems. However, further research with greater number of test subjects are needed before propolis can be established as an alternative approach for peridontal infectious conditions.

Researchers: Renata Cairo do Amaral, Rafael Tomaz Gomes, Wellington Márcio Santos Rocha, Sheila Lemos Rago Abreu, Vagner Rodrigues Santos.

Laboratory of Microbiology and Biomaterials, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Propolis and it's effects on fungus or candida

Propolis and Fertility

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:48:18 +0000

According to a research by Dr. Ali F. M. from the Ain Shams University in Egypt, propolis appears to be effective in treating infertility associated with mild endometriosis.

In a small randomized trial, the scientist found that bee propolis is an effective line of treatment for infertility with no reported side effect.

The Study

Presented at the 59th annual meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine in San Antonio, Texas (Oct 13 2003), the researcher studied 40 female patients for more than 2 years.

These patients were to receive 500 mg of propolis twice daily or a placebo and this regime is continued for more than half a year.

The study showed that among those who took propolis, 60 % became pregnant compared to 20% in those taking the placebos.

This research is still considered small trial but is a promising start for the medical community to do more research on the ability of propolis in treating infertility.

Source: ASRM 2003 Annual Meeting: Abstract O-84

The Health Benefits of Bee Propolis

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:22:33 +0000

In order to see the health benefits of propolis, we dig scientific journals. Let’s see how modern medical science conforms with ancient folk wisdom.

Improving Immune System

Professor S. Scheller, the head of a team of four doctors at the Institute for Microbiology at the Medical Academy in Poland found that propolis is able to stimulate the immune system.

It works by increasing the formation of antibodies to build our body resistance to diseases and by stimulating our body to release chemicals that protects us from cellular deterioration.

He also concluded that other propolis benefits include improved physical, intellectual and sexual performance as well as making injured tissue heal faster.

The study also concluded that propolis is not a toxic substance.

Treat Burns

Another benefit of propolis is in treating second degree burns. Research showed that propolis cream gave about the same result as normally prescribed cream.

But it also reduces inflammation of the burnt skin.

Believed to be a result of a substance called arginine, other studies have also supported this finding.

These studies have also concluded that propolis also stimulates enzyme systems, cell metabolism, circulation and collagen formation.

Increase Fertility

One isolated study had tested the benefit of propolis on women with infertility and endometriosis. The study indicated that consumption of 500mg of propolis twice daily resulted in pregnancy rate of 60% as opposed to 20% for women not given propolis.

How propolis would give this effect is still unclear.

Potential Cancer Drug

A report published in the Cancer Research (Sep 15,93;53 1482-88) stated that caffeic acids in propolis might help prevent colon cancer.

The study expose rats to cancer chemical agents and study the effects of rats given propolis and those without the propolis diet. It found that caffeic acids in propolis were prevented the formation of pre cancerous tissues in rats that were given the substance.

Another study done in 1990 had also reported that propolis chemicals could act against ovary cancer in hamster and sarcoma-type tumors in mice.

Read some studies done on propolis and it’s ability to fight cancer here.

Bowel Problems

Propolis could also help patients suffering from inflammatory bowel problems — like Chron’s disease and ulceration colitis.

In June 2001, Dr. Ralph Golan in his article published in the Townsend Letters For Doctors reported that ulceration colitis responded well to propolis therapy.

Dental care

One useful application of bee propolis is in dental care. Propolis mouthwash used after an oral surgery appears to shorten the healing time.

A study done in 1991 showed that rats given propolis in their drinking water had less caries compared to other rats.

Another study done in 1986 also proposed propolis as a subsidiary treatment for gum infection and plague.

You can read the latest study on the use of Brazilian Propolis to treat periodontitis here.

Protecting Liver

Two studies done in 1986 and 1987 showed that propolis may help in protecting our liver. In these studies, propolis was effective in protecting the liver against alcohol and tetrachloride.

Improve Antibiotic Effectiveness

Australian scientists, E.L Ghisalberti of the Department of Organic Chemistry at the University of Western Australia showed that propolis increases the effectiveness of penicillin or other antibiotics from 10 to 100 folds.

This finding could help reduce the number of side effects associated with antibiotics and lower the over dependency on antibiotics by doctors.

Veterinary Applications

Propolis offers some benefits to breeders by improving weight gain and reduce diarrhea in their animals.

A study done in 1987 showed that 5 ml of propolis solution given to milk-fed calves can help achieve the above results.

Studies done to rabbits have also showed that propolis could help treat coccidiosis and eimeria. It is also beneficial at treating mastitis.

Other medical benefits of propolis

Studies done in rats and mice had shown that concentrated propolis given to the rodents reduced their blood pressure, produces sedative effect as well as protects the liver and stomach against tetrachloride and ulcers.

All these were achieved without any side effects.