Atividade antioxidante da própolis de Plebeia droryana (Hymenoptera: Apidae) em macromoléculas e Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) rank among the major global public health challenges, with oxidative stress representing one of the central mechanisms involved in their onset and progression. This condition arises from the accumulation of reactive species capable of damaging lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, thereby reinforcing interest in natural compounds with antioxidant potential, particularly those found in products derived from stingless bees. Propolis produced by Plebeia droryana, a species native to the Cerrado biome, exhibits a diverse chemical profile rich in potentially therapeutic secondary metabolites; however, gaps remain regarding its biological effects and safety of use. In this context, the present study evaluated the antioxidant potential of the ethanolic extract of P. droryana propolis (EEP-Pd) through in vitro assays, assessing its ability to protect proteins and DNA against oxidative damage, and in vivo assays using the preclinical model Caenorhabditis elegans. In the in vitro assays, EEP-Pd reduced AAPH-induced protein oxidation, as well as DNA damage caused by the combined action of H₂O₂ and UV radiation, indicating a direct antioxidant effect on biomolecules. In the toxicity assay, concentrations below 1500 µg/mL did not compromise the viability of C. elegans, establishing a safe range for subsequent analyses. However, in the assays evaluating resistance to subchronic (40 µM) and acute (250 µM) oxidative stress, both induced by juglone, EEP-Pd did not increase nematode resistance under the evaluated conditions. These findings indicate that although EEP-Pd exhibits antioxidant capacity at the molecular level, its in vivo efficacy may be limited by factors such as absorption or interaction with endogenous defense pathways of the model. Therefore, the need for complementary studies involving detailed chemical characterization, the use of different strains, and the investigation of regulatory pathways is reinforced in order to better understand its mechanisms of action and potential biological properties.