Identification and Quantification of Phytochemical Composition and Anti-inflammatory and Radical Scavenging Properties of Methanolic Extracts of Chinese Propolis

Fifteen propolis samples collected from different regions of China were investigated and compared for their phytochemical composition and anti-inflammatory and radical scavenging properties. Eleven compounds including caffeic, <i>p</i>-coumaric, ferulic, isoferulic, and 3,4-dimethylcaffeic acids, pinobanksin, chrysin, pinocembrin, galangin, pinobanksin 3-acetate, and caffeic acid phenylethyl ester were quantified for the 15 propolis samples using a UHPLC method, whereas 38 compounds were identified by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS. The 15 propolis samples significantly differed in their total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, as well as their phytochemical profiles. The methanol extracts of propolis also showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells at 10 μg propolis extract/mL concentration. Additionally, the propolis samples differed in their DPPH, ABTS cation, hydroxyl, and peroxide radical scavenging capacities and ferric reducing abilities. The results from this study may be used to improve the commercial production and consumption of Chinese propolis products

Antioxidant Compounds from Propolis Collected in Anhui, China

The antioxidant activities of the chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol extract fractions from propolis collected in Anhui, China were evaluated in this study. The ethyl acetate fraction contained the highest amount of total phenolics and total flavonoids, and showed the greatest 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging capacities and Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power (FRAP). The antioxidant activity of twenty-two compounds isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction was also evaluated using the above-mentioned three assays. The results indicated that phenolics contributed to the antioxidant activity of propolis collected in Anhui, China. Therefore, propolis collected in Anhui, China and its phenolics might be used as a natural antioxidant

Isolation and Characterization of Five Glycerol Esters from Wuhan Propolis and Their Potential Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Five new glycerol esters including 2-acetyl-1-coumaroyl-3-cinnamoylglycerol (<b>13</b>), (+)-2-acetyl-1-feruloyl-3-cinnamoylglycerol (<b>14</b>), (−)-2-acetyl-1-feruloyl-3-cinnamoylglycerol (<b>15</b>), 2-acetyl-1,3-dicinnamoylglycerol (<b>16</b>), and (−)-2-acetyl-1-(<i>E</i>)-feruloyl-3-(3″(ζ),16″)-dihydroxy-palmitoylglycerol (<b>17</b>) were isolated from methanolic extract of Wuhan propolis. The chemical structures of the five new compounds were confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and HR-MS spectra. Twelve minor constituents in the Wuhan propolis extract were tentatively identified by UPLC–Q-TOF-MS, according to their characteristic UV spectrum, retention times, and accurate MS data. The anti-inflammatory activities of the five new compounds were studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells. All five compounds exhibited remarkable inhibitory effects on interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA expressions at 10 and 100 μM, suggesting that Wuhan propolis may serve as a potential anti-inflammatory functional food ingredient or nutraceutical