Northeast Portuguese propolis protects against neurotoxic events in cerebral cortical neurons
Conference Paper
Overview
Overview
abstract
Propolis is a sticky substance that honeybees manufacture by mixing secreted substances from their metabolism with plant exudates, pollen and waxes. This product has been used in folk medicine for centuries. Currently, it is extensively used in foods and beverages and is claimed to improve human health. Propolis is known to have a wide range of biological properties, including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral and antioxidative activities [1]. Indeed, oxidative stress and apoptosis has been implicated in both aging and several neurodegenerative disorders.
The chemical composition of propolis is very complex, varies with geographic origin, depending on the local flora and typically contains resin composed of flavonoids and related phenolic acids (50%), beeswax (30%), essential oils (10%), pollen (5%) and other organic compounds (5%). Recently, the phenolic profile of propolis from the Northeast of Portugal has been described [2]. Accordingly to this study, its phenolic composition fits well with that of propolis from temperate
