Bioactive metabolites of Brazilian Red Propolis: Cytotoxic, antimalarial, and antimicrobial properties.

Authors: ALDANA-MEJIA, JENNYFER - University Of Mississippi; RIBEIRO, VICTOR - Orise Fellow; Meepagala, Kumudini; BASTOS, JAIRO - Federal University Of Sao Paulo; ROSS, SAMIR - University Of Mississippi

Submitted to: Fitoterapia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/14/2024
Publication Date: 12/18/2024
Citation: Aldana-Mejia, J., Ribeiro, V., Meepagala, K.M., Bastos, J., Ross, S. 2024. Bioactive metabolites of Brazilian Red Propolis: Cytotoxic, antimalarial, and antimicrobial properties.. Fitoterapia. 181:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106351.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106351

Interpretive Summary: Brazilian Red Propolis is a natural product produced by bees with diverse bioactive compounds. This study analyzed its chemical composition and tested its effects against cancer cells, bacteria, and parasites. The extract showed promising activity against cancer cells, with one compound (medicarpin) being particularly effective against a fungal infection and another (oblongifolin B) against a harmful bacterium. Red propolis also had moderate effects against malaria-causing parasites, with one of its compounds showing strong potential in computer simulations. These results suggest that red propolis could be useful for developing new treatments, but more research is needed to understand how it works.

Technical Abstract: Brazilian Red Propolis (BRP) is a natural product known for its rich chemical composition and therapeutic potential. This study investigates the phytochemical profile and evaluates the cytotoxic, antiplasmodial, and antimicrobial properties of red propolis extract and its isolated compounds vestitol (1), neovestitol (2), medicarpin (3), 7-O-methylvestitol (4), and oblongifolin B (5). The extract showed selective cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines (IC 50 IC 50 of 6.65 µ : 16–39 µ g/mL). Compound 3 exhibited a promising cytotoxicity against SK-OV-3 with and M. BRP had moderate antimicrobial effects; however, 3 was effective against Cryptococcus neoformans (IC 50 : 19.29 µ M), while 5 was active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IC antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum strains D6 and W2 (IC 50 50 : 13.8 : 15.77 µ µ M). BRP exhibited g/mL and 5.7 4 and 5 had IC 50 concentrations ranging from: 2.99–6.96 µ µ g/mL); also, M). Molecular docking for P. falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH), suggest that compound 4 has significant interactions with critical residues in the PfLDH active site, such as TYR85, THR97, and ASP53, and falls within optimal ranges for oral bioavailability. These f indings highlight the significant bioactive potential of BRP and its compounds, suggesting their potential as therapeutic agents in vitro and in-silico. Further studies are recommended to explore their mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications.