Composição química e atividades biológicas da própolis das abelhas sem ferrão Melipona orbignyi e Tetragonisca fiebrigi (Hymenoptera, apidae)

Abstract

Propolis from stingless bees are known for their biologic properties; however, there are few studies described in the literature that demonstrate these effects. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and toxicity activities of propolis from the stingless bee Melipona orbignyi and Tetragonisca fiebrigi, found in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. For this, the chemical compositions of the ethanol extract of propolis from M. orbignyi (EEP-M) and T. fiebrigi (EEP-T) were determined by GC-MS and colorimetric assays. Was identified the presence of phenolic compounds, alcohol, and terpenes as its major class compounds. In evaluation the antioxidant potential, the propolis extracts acted in ABTS free radical scavenging and inhibiting lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes incubated with an oxidizing agent. The antiinflammatory potentials of the EEP were confirmed by inhibition of the hyaluronidase enzyme, for both extracts. The cytotoxic activities were concentration-dependent against K562 erythroleukemia cells, with a predominance of death by necrosis. The toxic action of extracts was evaluated in animal model Caenorhabditis elegans, being that the EEP-T showed no toxicity, but EEP-M induced toxic effects, in the model and concentrations evaluated. These results show that propolis from M. orbignyi and T. fiebrigi has important therapeutic activities, suggesting its potential application in the pharmaceutical and/or food industry.