Study of Mechanisms Involved in Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Chinese Propolis

Table 1: Concentrations of flavonoids presented in EECP.

Compounds Retention Time (min) mg/g of extracta Rutin 4.13 18.8 ± 0.1 Myricetin 5.61 15.4 ± 0.2 Quercetin 8.16 19.7 ± 0.3 Kaempferol 13.94 3.7 ± 0.1 Apigenin 15.41 3.5 ± 0.1 Pinocembrin 26.57 84.6 ± 0.2 Chrysin 35.20 33.5 ± 0.1 Galangin 42.57 29.1 ± 0.2

aReported values are the means ± SD (). EECP, ethanol extracts of Chinese propolis.

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the in vitro Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Flavonoid-Rich Ethanol Extract from Chinese Propolis (Poplar Type)

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:127672

China produces the greatest amount of propolis but there is still lack of basic studies on its pharmacological mechanisms. Our previous study found that ethanol extract from Chinese propolis (EECP) exerted excellent anti-inflammatory effects in vivo but mechanisms of action were elusive.

To further clarify the possible mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of Chinese propolis (poplar type), we utilized EECP to analyze its chemical composition and evaluated its potential anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile indicated that EECP contained abundant flavonoids, including rutin, myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, pinocembrin, chrysin, and galangin. Next we found that EECP could significantly inhibit the production of NO, IL-1β, and IL-6 in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and suppress mRNA expression of iNOS, IL-1β, and IL-6 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that EECP could suppress the phosphorylation of IκBα and AP-1 but did not affect IκBα's degradation. In addition, using a reporter assay, we found that EECP could block the activation of NF-κB in TNF-α-stimulated HEK 293T cells.

Our findings give new insights for understanding the mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory effects by Chinese propolis and provide additional references for using propolis in alternative and complementary therapies.