Comparative evaluation of propolis and triantibiotic mixture as an intracanal medicament against Enterococcus faecalis

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide, triantibiotic mixture (TAM), and an ethanol extract of propolis as intracanal medicaments on Enterococcus faecalis-infected root canals.

Methods

One hundred twenty extracted intact human permanent incisors were decoronated, and chemomechanical preparation of the root canal was performed. After sterilization of the samples, they were inoculated with pure culture of E. faecalis and incubated. After incubation, colony-forming units were recorded before medication. Then, samples were divided randomly into five groups (n = 24). Each group was then exposed to various intracanal medicaments, namely calcium hydroxide (group 1), TAM (group 2), propolis (group 3), ethanol (group 4), and saline as the control group (group V). The antibacterial effectiveness of the different intracanal medicament was recorded by determining the percentage reduction in colony counts (%RCC) at the end of days 1, 2, and 7. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) post hoc test.

Results

The %RCC was highest for propolis showing 100% reduction on day 2 followed by TAM showing 82.5%, 92.2%, and 98.4% of reduction on days 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Calcium hydroxide showed a gradual increase in antibacterial activity with a maximum of 59.4% on day 7.

Conclusions

Propolis was more effective than TAM against E. faecalis at a 2-day time period, and both were equally effective at 7 days.     

Bioactive constituents of brazilian red propolis

In a new propolis type, red Brazilian propolis, 14 compounds were identified (six of them new for propolis), among them simple phenolics, triterepenoids, isoflavonoids, prenylated benzophenones and a naphthoquinone epoxide (isolated for the first time from a natural source). Three of the major components demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity, and two (obtained as inseparable mixture) possessed radical scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH).     

新疆黑蜂胶体外抑制大肠杆菌生物膜的研究

目的建立大肠杆菌生物膜（BF）体外模型,研究不同浓度新疆黑蜂胶对大肠杆菌体外培养BF形成及清除的影响。方法采用微孔板改良法复制大肠杆菌体外BF模型,采用试管二倍稀释法测定新疆黑蜂胶的最低抑菌浓度（MIC）,并检测黑蜂胶不同浓度对大肠杆菌BF形成的影响,同时通过检测新疆黑蜂胶对成熟BF中活菌数的影响,评价其对成熟BF的清除作用。结果新疆黑蜂胶醇提物对大肠杆菌的MIC为12.50 g/L,当浓度为6.25 g/L时新疆黑蜂胶就可在早期干扰细菌BF的形成,作用呈剂量依赖性;当浓度达到50.00 g/L时,其抑制BF的作用与庆大霉素相比差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。在对成熟BF的清除作用中的研究中,当黑蜂胶浓度达12.50 g/L时,能有效清除成熟BF,而当浓度达到50.00 g/L时,其清除成熟BF的作用与庆大霉素相比差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论新疆黑蜂胶醇提物在体外具有抑制大肠杆菌BF形成的作用,且能通过破坏已形成的BF起到抗菌作用,为临床辅助治疗耐药性感染,提供实验依据。     

Pharmacological Evaluation of Propolis Solutions for Endodontic Use

Abstract

This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and exudative activities of propolis solutions and their antimicrobial activity. The solutions were prepared and diluted in alcohol solution (PPE₁, PPE₂, PPE₃, PPF₁₈, and PPF₁₉). Ear edema was previously induced in mice by the application of croton oil, and the irritative effect of the solutions was determined through the exudation test of Evans blue in rats. Antimicrobial activity by using a macrodilution method was determined. Eight aerobic bacteria, seven anaerobic bacteria, and two yeasts were tested. The PPE₁, PPE₂, and PPF₁₈ solutions presented excellent anti-inflammatory activities. PPE₁ solution showed the best antimicrobial effect. PPF₁₈ showed an inhibitory effect for the majority of the aerobic bacteria in the dilution 1:8, inhibiting the growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae. and the yeasts in the dilution 1/16 and of Pseudomones aeruginosa. in the dilution 1/32. PPF₁₉ was effective for inhibiting the growth of the aerobic bacteria and yeasts in the dilution 1/2. Our results suggest the possible application of PPE₁, PPF₁₈, and PPF₁₉ solutions in endodontics.     

In Vitro Evaluation of Portuguese Propolis and Floral Sources for Antiprotozoal,Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity

Propolis is a beehive product with a very complex chemical composition, used since ancient times in several therapeutic treatments. As a contribution to the improvement of drugs against several tropical diseases caused by protozoa, we screened Portuguese propolis and its potential floral sources Populus x Canadensis and Cistus ladanifer against Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania infantum, Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi. The toxicity against MRC‐5 fibroblast cells was evaluated to assess selectivity. The in vitro assays were performed following the recommendations of WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) and revealed moderate activity, with the propolis extracts presenting the relatively highest inhibitory effect against T. brucei. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum and Aspergillus fumigatus was also verified with the better results observed against T. rubrum. The quality of the extracts was controlled by evaluating the phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The observed biological activity variations are associated with the variable chemical composition of the propolis and the potential floral sources under study. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

蜂产品对糖尿病患者血糖的影响

蜂产品(蜂胶、蜂王浆、蜂蜜)常作为古代中医治疗消渴方中的佐剂。蜂产品(蜂胶、蜂王浆、蜂蜜)具有多样的生物活性和药理作用,现广泛应用于药品、保健食品中。蜂胶具有抗高血糖作用,能够降低糖尿病患者的血糖水平。蜂王浆及蜂蜜对血糖调节作用尚未完全确定。     

不同基源蜂胶中白杨素和高良姜素含量的比较

目的:比较13个产地的蜂胶中白杨素和高良姜素的含量.方法:采用高效液相色谱法(HPLC),以十八烷基硅烷键合硅胶为固定相,分别以甲醇-0.15%磷酸(60:40)和甲醇-0.15%磷酸(65:35)为流动相;检测波长均为268 nm,检测13个产地的蜂胶中白杨素和高良姜素的含量.结果:在13个产地中均采集5个样本,白杨...     

Bending Strength of Wood Treated with Propolis Extract and Silicon Compounds

The modification of wood and its treatment with various preservatives may affect its mechanical properties, hence the knowledge of the character changes in wood caused by impregnation is of great importance. Therefore, the aim of the research was to determine the effect of impregnation, with the propolis-silane preparation (EEP-MPTMOS/TEOS) consisting of the propolis extract (EEP) and silicon compounds: 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MPTMOS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), on the bending strength of treated wood. Moreover, in the study wood treated with components of the propolis-silane formulation was used, namely 70% ethanol, the propolis extract, and silanes (MPTMOS/TEOS). In order to determine whether the impregnation of wood affects its long-term bending, creep tests were performed depending on the humidity. The impregnation of wood with the propolis extract and the propolis-silane preparation (EEP-MPTMOS/TEOS) contributed to the increase in modulus of rapture and work to maximum load values compared to the untreated wood. In dry wood condition, the wood treated with EEP and EEP-MPTMOS/TEOS was characterized by lower modulus of elasticity values than the control samples. In turn, in wet wood condition, wood treated with the propolis-silane preparation showed an increase in the MOE value. Moreover, the impregnation of wood had an influence on the wood creep process under bending loads. The treated wood was characterized by higher relative creep compliance than the untreated wood. The exception was the wood impregnated with EEP-MPTMOS/TEOS, which showed comparable relative creep compliance to the control samples. The presented results indicate that wood treated with a bio-friendly preparation based on propolis and silicon compounds can be used in various application and also in variable humidity conditions.     

Back to the basics: Propolis and COVID‐19

The epidemiological burden of COVID‐19 is a healthcare challenge throughout the world, not only in terms of testing the limits of medical capacities, but also as an enigma considering preventive strategies and methods. The upper respiratory tract mucosa is the first line of defense, as a physical barrier, as well as through multiple innate and adaptive immune mechanisms which are crucial for efficient antiviral responses. Identifying methods able to reduce or prevent colonization, viral adhesion, and promote virus shedding on mucous membranes or have the ability to inactivate pathogens and thus reduce virus dose and/or increase immune response would be essential in the management of COVID‐19 outbreak and help in flattening the curve. We review the effects of propolis, an old remedy with proven antiviral properties, as a possible low‐cost inhibitor of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the oropharyngeal niche, prophylaxis, or adjuvant therapy.