Antioxidant Effect of Propolis Higher than that of Bee Pollen

1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl Radical Scavenging Activity of Bee Products and Their Constituents Determined by ESR
Biol Pharm Bull, 2009 Dec;32(12):1947-51

The aim of this work was to investigate the antioxidant property of honeybee products and their constituents using an ESR method. Antioxidative activity was evaluated as the scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The DPPH radical scavenging activities, in descending order, were: ethanol extract of Chinese red propolis - ethanol extract of Brazilian green propolis - water extract of Brazilian green propolis - ethanol extract of bee pollen…

In this study, we also measured the antioxidant effects of bee pollen and 10HDA, a major constituent of royal jelly. Bee pollen extracts showed antioxidative effects, but 10HDA did not.

As pollen includes many kinds of flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamins, pollen may also be a useful supplement for preventing oxidation.

In conclusion, the DPPH radical scavenging activities of Brazilian green propolis and Chinese red propolis were stronger than those of other bee products (e.g., bee pollen). Their antioxidative activities may be dependent on the presence of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives,CAPE, and caffeic acid.

These results indicate that caffeoyl groups may be important constituents that give rise to the antioxidative activities of propolis.