scholarly journals Antioxidant Potential of Propolis, Bee Pollen, and Royal Jelly: Possible Medical Application

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Kocot ◽  
Małgorzata Kiełczykowska ◽  
Dorota Luchowska-Kocot ◽  
Jacek Kurzepa ◽  
Irena Musik

Honeybees products comprise of numerous substances, including propolis, bee pollen, and royal jelly, which have long been known for their medicinal and health-promoting properties. Their wide biological effects have been known and used since antiquity. Bee products are considered to be a potential source of natural antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, or terpenoids. Nowadays, the still growing concern in natural substances capable of counteracting the effects of oxidative stress underlying the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, as well as negative effects of different harmful factors and drugs, is being observed. Having regarded the importance of acquiring drugs from natural sources, this review is aimed at updating the current state of knowledge of antioxidant capacity of selected bee products, namely, propolis, bee pollen, and royal jelly, and of their potential antioxidant-related therapeutic applications. Moreover, the particular attention has been attributed to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying antioxidant properties of bee products. The influence of bee species, plant origin, geographic location, and seasonality as well as type of extraction solutions on the composition of bee products extracts were also discussed.

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1136
Author(s):  
Alessandra Durazzo ◽  
Massimo Lucarini ◽  
Manuela Plutino ◽  
Giuseppe Pignatti ◽  
Ioannis K. Karabagias ◽  
...  

Plant species are fundamental source of nectar in beekeeping since bees access nectar and pollen from flowers. Consequently, bee products are strongly linked to the bee foraging flora source, and, depending on this, they acquire defined features, including their health and medicinal properties. Medicinal plants contribute greatly to increase the beneficial properties of bee products, such as honey, pollen, royal jelly, and propolis. Bee products represent a potential source of natural antioxidants that can counteract the effects of oxidative stress underlying the pathogenesis of many diseases. The antioxidant properties of bee products have been widely studied and there is an abundance of information available in the literature. Notwithstanding, the uniqueness of the presented perspective is to provide an updated overview of the antioxidant properties of bee products derived from medicinal plants as beekeeping sources. This topic is divided and discussed in the text in different sections as follows: (i) beekeeping and the impacts of environmental factors; (ii) an overview of the role of medicinal plants for bee products; (iii) definition and categorization of the main medicinal bee plants and related bee products; (iv) the study approach of the antioxidant properties; (v) the conventional and innovative assays used for the measurement of the antioxidant activity; and (vi) the antioxidant properties of bee products from medicinal plants.


2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. e57080
Author(s):  
Nabila Benhamada ◽  
Tayeb Idoui

Fermented foods have made important contributions to human diets for thousands of years and continue to do so. Their health-promoting benefits are attracting increasingly attention. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of natural fermentation on antioxidant properties of traditionally fermented wheat (Triticum durum) compared to unfermented samples. Initially, the samples were submitted to traditional spontaneous fermentation. Subsequently, an aqueous extract was obtained and used to determine polyphenolic and flavonoid contents. Moreover, the antioxidant potential was also measured through the determination of the scavenging ability against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, reducing power and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. The results showed that the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were significantly increased in fermented wheat. Moreover, the antioxidant activity was more effective in fermented than in unfermented wheat. Thus, natural fermentation can enhance natural antioxidants in wheat and transform it into a healthy food or ingredient with multi-functional properties which can be used in the food industry.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1263
Author(s):  
Patricia Cosme ◽  
Ana B. Rodríguez ◽  
Javier Espino ◽  
María Garrido

Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites widely spread throughout the plant kingdom that can be categorized as flavonoids and non-flavonoids. Interest in phenolic compounds has dramatically increased during the last decade due to their biological effects and promising therapeutic applications. In this review, we discuss the importance of phenolic compounds’ bioavailability to accomplish their physiological functions, and highlight main factors affecting such parameter throughout metabolism of phenolics, from absorption to excretion. Besides, we give an updated overview of the health benefits of phenolic compounds, which are mainly linked to both their direct (e.g., free-radical scavenging ability) and indirect (e.g., by stimulating activity of antioxidant enzymes) antioxidant properties. Such antioxidant actions reportedly help them to prevent chronic and oxidative stress-related disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, among others. Last, we comment on development of cutting-edge delivery systems intended to improve bioavailability and enhance stability of phenolic compounds in the human body.


2022 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 585
Author(s):  
Monika Michalak

Natural substances have traditionally been used in skin care for centuries. There is now an ongoing search for new natural bioactives that not only promote skin health but also protect the skin against various harmful factors, including ultraviolet radiation and free radicals. Free radicals, by disrupting defence and restoration mechanisms, significantly contribute to skin damage and accelerate ageing. Natural compounds present in plants exhibit antioxidant properties and the ability to scavenge free radicals. The increased interest in plant chemistry is linked to the growing interest in plant materials as natural antioxidants. This review focuses on aromatic and medicinal plants as a source of antioxidant substances, such as polyphenols, tocopherols, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and macromolecules (including polysaccharides and peptides) as well as components of essential oils, and their role in skin health and the ageing process.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dejan Prvulović ◽  
Đorđe Malenčić ◽  
Jegor Miladinović

Plants are a good source of natural antioxidants and could provide protection against harmful free radicals. Phenolic compounds were found to be an important part of human diet and are considered as active principles in many medicinal and agricultural plants. Detailed information about health-promoting components of different soybean cultivars could lead to a better understanding and an increased consumption of this crop, including its use in functional foods. The objective of this study was to determine total phenolics, total tannins, total flavonoids and antioxidant capacity with different assays of five Serbian soybean cultivars (Merkur, Sava, Valjevka, Venera and Victoria) extracted with three different solvents (70% acetone, 70% ethanol and 70% methanol). Total phenolics varied among cultivars and among applied solvents. Antioxidant properties highly depended on a solvent used for extraction. Such results highlight an existing variability in soybean seeds and emphasise the need to evaluate diversity and to support conventional breeding programs to improve soybean nutritional value.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (03) ◽  
pp. 120-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Savinder Kaur Mann ◽  
Namita Khanna

Over the past several years, natural antioxidants have attracted considerable interest as potential treatment for a wide variety of disease states, including cancer and other causes e.g. chronic inflammatory diseases and aging. Therefore, plant derived antioxidants are now receiving a special attention as they possess good antioxidant properties and hence a worldwide trend towards the use of natural phytochemicals present in fruits and vegetables have been reported. Numerous epidemiological studies indicate that consumption of cruciferous vegetables is associated with prevention of cardiovascular diseases and reduced incidence of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and other sites. The substances that seem to be responsible for these properties are phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, polyphenols etc.) and sulphur-containing organic compound glucosinolates and their derived products. The present review focuses on the health promoting effects of phytochemicals and their beneficial bioactivities in Brassicaceae.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 446-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toyin Dorcas Alabi ◽  
Nicole Lisa Brooks ◽  
Oluwafemi Omoniyi Oguntibeju

Background: Anchomanes difformis (ENGL: Blume) is a specie of flowering plants in the family Araceae. Anchomanes difformis is commonly reported for ameliorating hyperglycemia, inflammation, ulcer, malaria, and inhibiting microbial growth. Objective: This study evaluated total yields of phytochemicals present, measured antioxidant capacities and identified bioactive compounds in the leaves and rhizome extracts of A. difformis using solvents of different polarity (ethyl acetate, ethanol and water). Methods: Total polyphenolic, flavonoid content and alkaloids were measured, ORAC, TEAC and FRAP were performed as antioxidant capacity indices, and identification of bioactive compounds was done using UPLC-MS and HPLC. Results: All extracts contained polyphenols, flavonols, flavanols, and alkaloids in varying concentrations. All extracts exhibited antioxidant properties. However, aqueous leaves extract had the highest antioxidant properties and polyphenols with significance (p<0.05). Thirty-four compounds were identified altogether in the leaves and rhizome. Conclusion: A. difformis leaves and rhizome are potential sources of natural antioxidants and can serve as potential therapeutic agents against diseases linked with oxidative stress. Presence of health-promoting compounds indicates possible ameliorative potentials of A. difformis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsun-Thai Chai ◽  
Kah-Yaw Ee ◽  
D. Thirumal Kumar ◽  
Fazilah Abdul Manan ◽  
Fai-Chu Wong

Abstract: Large numbers of bioactive peptides with potential applications in protecting against human diseases have been identified from plant sources. In this review, we summarized recent progress in the research of plant-derived bioactive peptides, encompassing their production, biological effects, and mechanisms. This review focuses on antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anticancer peptides, giving special attention to evidence derived from cellular and animal models. Studies investigating peptides with known sequences and well-characterized peptidic fractions or protein hydrolysates will be discussed. The use of molecular docking tools to elucidate inter-molecular interactions between bioactive peptides and target proteins is highlighted. In conclusion, the accumulating evidence from in silico, in vitro and in vivo studies to date supports the envisioned applications of plant peptides as natural antioxidants as well as health-promoting agents. Notwithstanding, much work is still required before the envisioned applications of plant peptides can be realized. To this end, future researches for addressing current gaps were proposed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
I. Adamska ◽  
P. Biernacka

Safflower flowers (Carthamus tinctorius) contain many natural substances with a wide range of economic uses. The most famous dye isolated from flower petals is hydroxysafflor A (HSYA), which has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This review is aimed at updating the state of knowledge about their applicability in oncology, pulmonology, cardiology, gynecology, dermatology, gastrology, immunology, and suitability in the treatment of obesity and diabetes and its consequences with information published mainly in 2018-2020. They were also effective in treating obesity and diabetes and its consequences. The issues related to the possibilities of using HSYA in the production of health-promoting food were also analyzed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 306-317
Author(s):  
Ena Gupta ◽  
Snehlata Shakyawar ◽  
Shanthy Sundaram

Aegle Marmelos (L.) Correa (A. marmelos), is a medicinal plant of Rutaceae family having a long history of curative property in traditional medicine. This plant is a rich source of bioactive compounds and natural antioxidants which can be isolated from its various parts such as fruit (carotenoids, tannins, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, marmelosin, marmelide, psoralen, aurapten, luvangetin); leaf (phenols, lupeol, skimmianine, citral, aegeline, eugenol, citronella, marmesinine) and bark (marmin, skimmianine, fagarine) etc. Many clinical and pre-clinical researches suggest the therapeutic applications of A. marmelos, such as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which play a potential role in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. This review article focuses on exploring novel bioactive compounds of the above plant possessing potential therapeutic and health promoting applications.


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