2008~2012年蜂胶化学成分研究进展

近年来,蜂胶的化学成分成为了国内外蜂胶研究的热点。本文对2008~2012年国内外从蜂胶中分离鉴定出的新化学成分进行了分类汇总,给出了每种化学成分的名称以及蜂胶的地理来源,以期为蜂胶化学成分的研究、胶源植物的确定以及质量控制提供理论依据。本文共列出144种蜂胶中的新成分,其中,类黄酮化合物68种、萜类化合物38种、酚酸类化合物38种。     

蜂胶的降血糖作用及其分子机制研究进展

蜂胶具有广泛的生物学活性和保健功能,降血糖作用是其最主要的生物学活性之一。本文综述了蜂胶及蜂胶中主要黄酮类化合物、酚酸类化合物等活性成分的降血糖作用,以及蜂胶的IRS-PI3K通路、PPARs转录因子、AMPK通路和抗氧化等4种可能的降血糖分子机制,旨在为蜂胶生物学活性的研究提供思路,为蜂胶产品的进一步开发提供参考。     

巴西蜂胶化学成分的研究进展

巴西蜂胶植物来源广泛,化学组成复杂,具有丰富而突出的生物学活性。本文对巴西蜂胶中已发现的362种化学成分进行分类汇总,并给出相应的蜂胶来源,旨在为巴西蜂胶化学标准化及质量控制的研究提供有价值的化学依据,并为全面评价蜂胶的药用价值以及开发利用提供参考。     

杨属植物化学成分的研究概况

杨树是我国重要的绿化造林用树。在温带地区,蜂胶的植物来源主要是杨属及其杂交属的芽孢分泌物。有不法商人以杨树芽提取物冒充蜂胶,严重阻碍了蜂胶行业的健康发展。本文对杨属植物中已分离鉴定出的化学成分进行了归类整理,为蜂胶和杨属化学成分及药理活性的研究提供依据,同时,也为杨树在医药保健等方面的综合利用提供理论基础。     

微波消解- 火焰原子吸收光谱法测定蜂胶中金属元素含量

目的:测定一种原产地为加拿大的蜂胶中金属元素的含量,为进一步研究蜂胶营养价值提供数据,同时改进测量方法。方法:用微波消解法处理样品,用硝酸和过氧化氢的混合物作为消解剂进行微波消解,并优化消解条件,然后用火焰原子吸收光谱法测定蜂胶制品中钙、铁、镁、锌、钠、钾、铜的含量。结果:七种元素相对标准偏差为0.85%~2.33%(n=7),回收率在96.5%~104.7%之间。试验结果表明该蜂胶中含有丰富的金属元素,且与河南产蜂胶相比,加拿大产蜂胶中多种金属元素含量远低于河南产蜂胶。结论:使用本文方法测定蜂胶中的金属元素含量,结果准确,方法可靠。为进一步探讨蜂胶制品金属元素与其保健功能的关系提供了有用数据。     

微波消解－火焰原子吸收光谱法测定蜂胶中金属元素含量

目的：测定一种原产地为加拿大的蜂胶中金属元素的含量,为进一步研究蜂胶营养价值提供数据,同时改进测量方法。方法：用微波消解法处理样品,用硝酸和过氧化氢的混合物作为消解剂进行微波消解,并优化消解条件,然后用火焰原子吸收光谱法测定蜂胶制品中钙、铁、镁、锌、钠、钾、铜的含量。结果：七种元素相对标准偏差为O．85％～2．33％（n=7）,回收率在96．5％～104．7％之间。试验结果表明该蜂胶中含有丰富的金属元素,且与河南产蜂胶相比,加拿大产蜂胶中多种金属元素含量远低于河南产蜂胶。结论：使用本文方法测定蜂胶中的金属元素含量,结果准确,方法可靠。为进一步探讨蜂胶制品金属元素与其保健功能的关系提供了有用数据。     

萜类生物合成的基因操作

萜类是一组结构迥异的化合物家族,其中很多具有较大的应用价值,如青蒿素和紫杉醇等,它们在多种微生物和植物中合成,但其天然产量低。萜类代谢工程通过DNA重组技术改造萜类合成细胞中的代谢途径,以提高萜类最终产量或在不含萜类的生物中合成萜类,为促进有用萜类合成提供了新的机会。以萜类化合物生物合成途径的基因转移与表达为切入点,综述了目前在微生物及植物中应用代谢工程提高萜类产量的研究进展。     

无刺蜂蜂胶化学成分及生物学活性的研究进展

无刺蜂蜂胶化学组成复杂,具有丰富而突出的生物学活性,但目前有关其研究相对较少。本文以国内外研究文献为基础,系统归纳了无刺蜂蜂胶已探明的包括35种黄酮类、13种酚酸类和53种萜烯类化合物在内的主要化学成分,并阐述了其在抗菌、抗氧化、抗炎、抗癌等方面的生物学活性,以期为无刺蜂蜂胶化学标准化及质量控制的研究提供依据,并为全面评价无刺蜂蜂胶的药用价值及其开发利用提供参考。     

蜂胶的抗炎作用及其机制研究进展

本文通过查阅近年来蜂胶抗炎活性研究的相关文献,对近年来蜂胶改善炎症效果以及蜂胶和部分抗炎药物之间的相互作用进行了综述,并通过分析蜂胶中抗炎活性成分对蜂胶抗炎的作用途径及机制进行了探讨。指出蜂胶的抗炎活性研究对于探讨蜂胶对心血管疾病、消化系统疾病以及内分泌系统疾病的治疗作用机制有着重要的意义,蜂胶和部分抗炎药物之间呈现的协同作用对于开发复方抗炎药物提供了理论基础。     

巴西绿蜂胶主要生物活性成分的研究进展

阿替匹林C(3,5-二异戊烯基4-羟基肉桂酸)是巴西绿蜂胶的主要生物活性成分之一,是目前巴西绿蜂胶定性检测及质量控制的主要评价指标.随着巴西绿蜂胶研究的深入,阿替匹林C也成为研究的热点.作者对阿替匹林C在蜂胶质量控制中的应用、分离纯化、人工合成、生物学活性等方面的研究进展进行了综述,为其在巴西绿蜂胶的质量控制及药理活性方面的深入研究提供参考.     

Chemical profiling and chemometric analysis of South African propolis

UPLC-ESI-MS analysis of 39 South African propolis samples was undertaken to report on the chemical composition and variability of South African propolis and to compare the chemical profiles to Brazilian samples (n = 3). Chemo-geographical patterns within South African propolis were further analysed by chemometrics. South African propolis samples displayed typical UPLC-ESI-MS fingerprints, which were different from their Brazilian counterparts. UPLC-PDA-qTOF-MS/MS was used to identify marker compounds from representative groups and 15 major phenolic acids and flavonols from common South African propolis were identified. Chemometric analysis of the UPLC-ESI-MS data revealed two distinct clusters among the South African samples and also confirmed that the South African propolis was chemically distinct from the Brazilian propolis. The majority of the samples were phytochemically congruent with propolis from the temperate regions.     

Determination of chemical composition of Turkish propolis

The aim of the present work is to study the chemical composition of Turkish propolis. Propolis samples were collected from different regions of Turkey (Bursa, Erzurum-Askale, Gumushane-Sogutagil and Trabzon-Caglayan) in 1999. Ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP) were prepared for chemical analysis, using gas chromatograph coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Our findings show that propolis samples from Trabzon and Gumushane region have a similar chemical composition. In both samples aromatic acids, aliphatic acids and their esters, and also ketone derivatives are the main compound groups. The chemical composition of the single sample that was collected from Erzurum region shows a very different pattern than the other two samples. In this propolis, the main compounds are aromatic acid esters and alcohols. However, it contains a high amount of amino acids compared to the other samples. The other samples collected from three different region of Bursa City are rich with flavavones, aromatic acids and their esters, terpenoids, flavones and ketones.     

Antibacterial Compounds from Propolis of Tetragonula laeviceps and Tetrigona melanoleuca (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from Thailand

This study investigated the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of propolis collected from two stingless bee species Tetragonula laeviceps and Tetrigona melanoleuca (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Six xanthones, one triterpene and one lignane were isolated from Tetragonula laeviceps propolis. Triterpenes were the main constituents in T. melanoleuca propolis. The ethanol extract and isolated compounds from T. laeviceps propolis showed a higher antibacterial activity than those of T. melanoleuca propolis as the constituent α-mangostin exhibited the strongest activity. Xanthones were found in propolis for the first time; Garcinia mangostana (Mangosteen) was the most probable plant source. In addition, this is the first report on the chemical composition and bioactivity of propolis from T. melanoleuca.     

Raman spectroscopic study of spatial distribution of propolis in comb of Apis mellifera carnica (Pollm.)

Micro-Raman spectroscopy and Raman mapping are applied to investigate the spatial distribution and chemical composition of wax and propolis in the comb of Apis mellifera carnica (Pollm). A thick layer of propolis at the rim of some cells is identified by Raman spectroscopy. Raman mapping is applied to resolve the distribution of propolis and wax on a micron scale. Both components are connected at the rim of the cell with a mixture of wax and propolis. A layer of almost pure propolis is found on top of the mixture. It appears that even in the mixture, where both components come into close contact, the propolis and the wax remain separated and keep their chemical identity.     

Antibacterial activity of honey and propolis from Apis mellifera and Tetragonisca angustula against Staphylococcus aureus

AIMS: The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus of honey and propolis produced by Apis mellifera and Tetragonisca angustula was evaluated. Secondary aims included the study of the chemical composition of propolis and honey samples and its relationship with antibacterial activity against S. aureus. METHODS AND RESULTS: The antibacterial activity of honey and propolis was determined by the method of macrodilution. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) of A. mellifera honey ranged from 126.23 to 185.70 mg ml(-1) and of T. angustula from 142.87 to 214.33 mg ml(-1). For propolis, the MIC ranged from 0.36 to 3.65 mg ml(-1) (A. mellifera) and from 0.44 to 2.01 mg ml(-1) (T. angustula). Honey and propolis were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Some typical compounds of Brazilian propolis were also identified in honey samples. Principal component analysis revealed that the chemical composition of honey and propolis samples was distinct based on the geographical location of the samples. CONCLUSIONS: Propolis samples had higher antibacterial activity against S. aureus when compared with honey. However, both propolis and honey samples had antibacterial against S. aureus. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These antimicrobial properties would warrant further studies on the clinical applications of propolis and honey against S. aureus.     

Insight on Propolis from Mediterranean Countries: Chemical Composition,Biological Activities and Application Fields

This review updates the information upon the chemical composition of propolis from all Mediterranean countries as well as their biological properties and applications. The non‐volatile fraction of propolis was characterized by the presence of phenolic acids and their esters and flavonoids. Nevertheless, in some countries, diterpenes were also present: Sicily (Italy), Croatia, Malta, Creta (Greece), Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Libya, Algeria and Morocco. The volatile fraction of propolis was characterized by the presence of benzoic acid and its esters, mono‐ and sesquiterpenes, being the oxygenated sesquiterpene β‐eudesmol characteristic of poplar propolis, whereas the hydrocarbon monoterpene α‐pinene has been related with the presence of conifers. Regardless the chemical composition, there are common biological properties attributed to propolis. Owing to these attributes, propolis has been target of study for applications in diverse areas, such as food, medicine and livestock.     

Rhus javanica var. chinensis as a new plant origin of propolis from Okayama, Japan

To directly identify the plant origin of propolis from Takebe-cho (Okayama, Japan), we observed the honeybee behavior. Honeybees scraped sap from the tree, Rhus javanica var. chinensis. We compared the constituents and radical-scavenging activity of this sap and propolis. Their chemical constituents and radical-scavenging activity were comparable. This indicates directly that the plant origin of this propolis is R. javanica var. chinensis.     

Propolis of stingless bees: A phytochemist's guide through the jungle of tropical biodiversity

BackgroundStingless bees (Meliponini), like honeybees Apis mellifera, collect plant resins in order to produce propolis (cerumen, geopropolis). This type of propolis has long been used in traditional medicine in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, India, and Vietnam, as a remedy for improving health and treating various diseases. The scientific and commercial interest in stingless bee propolis has been steadily increasing over the last few years. The new and growing knowledge in this field requires systematising, as a basis for further work. Recent reviews of Meliponini propolis deal only with the South American and Mesoamerican species, while reviews of the Asian, Australian and African species are missing. Furthermore, the chemical composition has not been thoroughly reviewed since 2007.PurposeThis review summarises and discusses the available data about the chemical composition of propolis from the stingless bee species (Meliponinae) of the Americas, Asia and Australia, published after 2007. The published information on the biological action of chemically characterised Meliponini propolis, and of individual constituents, is addressed. The plant sources of this propolis are also considered.Conclusion and perspectivesChemical studies of Meliponini propolis has resulted in the discovery of new natural molecules, some of them with valuable bioactivity. Moreover, finding known molecules in propolis stimulates the study of their pharmacological properties. The enormous chemical variability of stingless bee propolis is a challenge to chemists, entomologists and pharmacologists. It is essential to perform pharmacological studies with only chemically characterised propolis of stingless bees. Further studies are required to chemically characterise and scientifically support the medicinal properties of stingless bee propolis and to clarify the potential for its commercial use. This could lead to increased prices for Meliponinae propolis and provide an additional source of income for farmers in rural communities with most serious social needs.     

A validated spectrophotometric method for quantification of prenylated flavanones in pacific propolis from Taiwan

Introduction – Because of its chemical diversity, the only way to standardise propolis is to specify multiple standards for different propolis types according to the corresponding chemical profile. So far, this has been done only for European propolis. Objective – To develop a rapid low‐cost spectrophotometric procedure for quantification of bioactive prenylated flavanones in Taiwanese propolis. Methodology – The proposed method quantifies the total flavanones on the basis of their absorption as coloured phenylhydrazones formed by interaction with 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazine. The procedure was validated through model mixture of compounds representing the composition of Taiwanese propolis according to previous studies. The major flavanones of the propolis samples (propolins C, D, F and G) were quantified by HPLC. Antiradical activity against DPPH was also measured. The DNP (dinitrophenylhydrazine) spectrophotometric method is applied for the first time for quantification of prenylated flavanones. Results – Spectophotometric procedure applicable to new type propolis (Macaranga type) was developed with recovery between 105 and 110% at the concentration range of 0.573–1.791 mg/mL. Six propolis samples were analysed by spectrophotometry using the procedure developed and validated, and by HPLC as the results demonstrated satisfactory agreement. Neither the spectrophotometric data nor the values measured by HPLC showed significant correlation with the antiradical activity against DPPH. Conclusion – The proposed spectrophotometric procedure is useful for routine analyses of Macaranga‐type propolis, because of its simplicity, repeatability and acceptable accuracy. Its application to a number of commercial samples could be used as a basis for standardisation and quality control of Pacific propolis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical composition and biological activity of propolis from Brazilian meliponinae

Twenty-one propolis samples produced by 12 different Meliponinae species were analyzed by GC-MS. Several chemical types of stingless bees' propolis could be grouped, according to the prevailing type of compounds like: 'gallic acid", "diterpenic" and "triterpenic" types. The results confirm that neither the bee species nor the geographical location determine the chemical composition of Meliponinae propolis and the choice of its plant source, respectively. This could be explained by the fact that Meliponinae forage over short distances (maximum 500 m) and thus use as propolis source the first plant exudate they encounter during their flights. The antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities of the samples were also investigated. Most samples had weak or no activity against E. coli, weak action against Candida albicans. Some of them showed significant activity against St. aureus., presumably connected to the high concentration of diterpenic acids. Samples rich in diterpenic acids possessed also high cytotoxic activity (Artemia salina test).