Effect of bee propolis as a hypoglycemic agent and diabetes control

Abstract

Propolis is a natural product derived from plant resins collected by honey bees. This natural product has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The main chemical classes present in propolis are phenols, flavonoids are well-known plant compounds with biological activity properties, including anti glycemic effect. This study tested the impact of Colombian propolis as a regulating agent of glucose concerning metabolic activity on 45 healthy young people of two sexes aged between 17 and 24 years and five men as volunteers with a medical declaration of hyperglycemia was considered. The metabolic conditions for glucose were evaluated in pre-and postprandial conditions besides the blood group and the arterial pressure. The work was carried out in three different stages that included the characterization of total equivalent flavonoids present in an ethanolic fraction of propolis, in a second phase, the glycemia curves in a group of volunteers that were evaluated, and in the final phase, a regulatory effect of EEP on blood glucose. Equivalent total flavonoids in propolis samples were evaluated, and samples from Cucaita were used as an antihyperglycemic test. Fasting glucose levels in the studied population was of 82,3 ± 7,10 mg dL-1, which conform to a normal distribution and which evolves to 127,1 ± 9,65 mg dL-1after ingestion of glucose solution and subsequently at 83,3 ± 11,7 and 72,4 ± 12,3 mg / dL at 60 and 90 min. When comparing these values with the glucose and EPP treatments given in the test, the regulatory effect of the propolis components is observed. Normally, the absorption of glucose in the body occurs rapidly, and blood glucose levels rise within 30 to 60 min. of fluid intake. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which there is an inability to oxidize carbohydrates generated by disturbances in insulin function. Propolis may have acted indirectly by increasing β cell insulin secretion and improving insulin sensitivity.