Brazilian Propolis: Correlation between Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

The chemical composition of ethanol extracts from samples of Brazilian propolis (EEPs) determined by HPLC and their activity againstTrypanosoma cruzi,Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus pneumoniae,Klebisiella pneumoniae,Candida albicans,Sporothrix schenckiiandParacoccidioides brasiliensiswere determined. Based on the predominant botanical origin in the region of samples' collection, the 10 extracts were separated into three groups: A (B. dracunculifolia+Auraucariaspp), B (B. dracunculifolia) and C (Araucariaspp). Analysis by the multiple regression of all the extracts together showed a positive correlation, higher concentrations leading to higher biological effect, ofS. aureuswithp-coumaric acid (PCUM) and 3-(4-hydroxy-3-(oxo-butenyl)-phenylacrylic acid (DHCA1) and of trypomastigotes ofT. cruziwith 3,5-diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid derivative 4 (DHCA4) and 2,2-dimethyl-6-carboxyethenyl-2H-1-benzopyran (DCBEN). When the same approach was employed for each group, due to the small number of observations, the statistical test gave unreliable results. However, an overall analysis revealed for group A an association ofS. aureuswith caffeic acid (CAF) and dicaffeoylquinic acid 3 (CAFQ3), ofS. pneumoniaewith CAFQ3 and monocaffeoylquinic acid 2 (CAFQ2) and ofT. cruzialso with CAFQ3. For group B, a higher activity againstS. pneumoniaewas associated DCBEN and forT. cruziwith CAF. For group C no association was observed between the anitmicrobial effect and any component of the extracts. The present study reinforces the relevance of PCUM and derivatives, especially prenylated ones and also of caffeolyquinic acids, on the biological activity of Brazilian propolis.