Screening of portuguese propolis and its plant sources for inhibitory activity against pathogenic protozoa

Abstract

Propolis is a beehive product with a very complex chemical composition, widely used in folk medicine because of its several therapeutic activities. Its biological properties and chemical composition may vary according to the geografic location and to the different plant sources. Recently, we reported the mechanism for extration and propolis sample preparation (Falca˜o et al, Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 2010, 396: 887-897). After that, we developed a new study for Portuguese propolis and plant samples found around the hive, and we present in this study the activity of these samples against pathogenic protozoa. Two different raw propolis samples from the northeast and centre of Portugal, both acquired from local beekeepers, were analysed in the present work. For the plant samples we collect the buds exudates and surface material present on the leaves, stems of Populus nigra male and female specimens and Cistus lanadifer. These samples were screened for in vitro activity against the pathogenic protozoa Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania infantum, Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma bruci. To assess selectivity of action, cytodoxicity against MRC-5 fibroblast cells was also evaluated. We present in this communication interesting results, according to criteria set up by the WHO Special Programme for Research & Training in Tropical Diseases.