What is propolis?
Propolis has been used for thousands of years, with records of its use dating back to 300 BC, being applied as a medicine by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. It is a resin collected by bees from various plants. After collection, the bees mix this resin with their own secretions, such as wax, saliva and enzymes, giving rise to propolis. Etymologically, the Greek word "propolis" means "defense of the hive", being "pro" ("in defense") and "polis" ("city").
Main function
Its main function is to protect the colony against infectious diseases, and it is used by bees to close gaps at the entrance to hives and combs, as well as being applied inside the hive to embalm natural enemies and bee corpses that are too large to be removed from the colony.
Chemical composition
The chemical composition of propolis varies according to its botanical and geographical origin and the time it was collected. In general, it is made up of 50% resins, 30% wax, 10% essential oils, 5% pollen and 5% minerals and phenolic acids. Detailed chemical analysis of propolis has revealed more than 600 chemical components, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenes and aromatic acids, most of which are lipophilic.
Types of propolis
There are 14 types of propolis in Brazil, the best known being green propolis, red propolis and brown propolis. Brown propolis can be found in the south-east and south of Brazil and has antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.
Green propolis comes from Baccharis dracunculifolia and is mainly characterized by the presence of the phenolic compound Artepillin C, whose discovery patent belongs to Japan. This chemical compound was able to inhibit the growth of tumors in in vitro tests and is produced mainly in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraná and the mountainous regions of Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro. It also has antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, healing and anesthetic biological properties.
Red propolis, on the other hand, is a type of propolis found in the north and northeast of Brazil and comes from Dalbergia ecastophyllum. Its main components are phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthraquinones and phenols, as well as having unique constituents that have demonstrated antitumor and antioxidant activities in vitro.
Using Propolis in Veterinary Medicine
Propolis has been used in various areas of veterinary medicine, to control mastitis in dairy cows, as a prophylactic agent for respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in pigs, as a growth stimulant for underdeveloped sheep, pigs and calves, as a prophylaxis against typhoid fever, fever in ducks and wound healing.
As mentioned above, studies have shown that propolis has various biological and pharmacological effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antineoplastic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, as well as acting in the regeneration of cartilage, bones and dental pulp. Propolis has a wide range of applications in dogs, as will be discussed below.
Treatment and healing of wounds: occurs by inducing the expression of genes related to antioxidant function, which relieve tension in the wound, and is indicated for healing, treatment of burns and external ulcers, promoting a reduction in healing time, increased wound contraction and accelerated tissue repair. Treatment with propolis induces better and faster healing as it reduces the inflammatory response, allowing greater deposition of collagen fiber bundles and healing elements, facilitating cell regeneration.
Skin infections: As well as healing wounds, it can also be used to treat skin infections in dogs, especially those caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is part of the skin's natural microbiota, but in situations where it is out of balance, it can cause infections. One study showed that the application of propolis extracts in concentrations of between 20% and 40% was effective in treating skin infections caused by S. aureus.
In dermatophytosis, which is a superficial skin infection caused by pathogenic dermatophyte fungi of the genus Epidermophyton, Trichophyton, and Microsporum, it was observed that antimycotic treatments that include natural compounds, such as propolis, in the form of therapeutic baths and topical application of ointment were effective in dogs with dermatophytosis, negating cultures after 2 weeks and recovering the lesions at the end of treatment.
Otitis externa: Another application of propolis is the prevention of otitis externa, which is an inflammation of the external ear canal and one of the main reasons for veterinary consultations. The condition is characterized by inflammation and redness in the epithelial tissue of the external ear canal, as well as an increase in wax secretion and itching. Malassezia pachydermatis is the yeast most commonly isolated from cultures of patients affected by otitis, often associated with S. aureus.
Studies have shown that propolis extracts in ear solutions can be used as a therapy for this problem, due to their broad antimicrobial spectrum and good anti-inflammatory effect.
Periodontal disease: Periodontal disease is caused by the accumulation of bacterial plaque on the teeth. This plaque is made up of bacteria, organic material, cellular debris and saliva, and the bacteria and the products of their metabolism cause inflammation of the soft tissues. Over time, plaque can mineralize, forming calculus or tartar that can pass through the gums, causing inflammation, affecting the periodontal ligament, causing bone loss and, ultimately, tooth loss. Studies have shown that the use of propolis extracts in the oral cavity of dogs reduces inflammation and bacterial activity as it inhibits the attachment of bacteria to the surface of the teeth.
Immunomodulation: Propolis also has an immunomodulatory function, which can be immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive, depending on the body's needs. In the case of immunostimulation, its activity is associated with activating macrophages (the body's defense cells) and increasing their phagocytosis capacity.
Hepatoprotective effect: Several studies have demonstrated the hepatoprotective effect of propolis, due to its composition rich in minerals, polyphenols and esters, which interfere with the formation of free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, improving antioxidant capacity and repairing damage to the cell membrane.
Conclusion
The therapeutic benefits of propolis are undeniable, but it should be noted that propolis is not a medicine for all diseases. Currently, there are many studies to determine which types of propolis are suitable for certain diseases, which dosages are appropriate and what effects propolis has on humans and animals, since the composition of the product varies greatly. In addition, hypersensitivity reactions induced by propolis have been reported, especially those derived from cinnamic acid. Therefore, use should be recommended by a qualified professional.
REFERENCES:
ABU-SEIDA A.M. Effect of Propolis on Experimental Cutaneous Wound Healing in Dogs. Veterinary Medicine International. Vol. 2015, Article ID 672643, 4 p.
BETANCOURT, N. T. et al. Propolis in Dogs: Clinical Experiences and Perspectives (A Brief Review). Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 2015, 5, 11-17
BHADAURIA, M. Duration-Dependent Hepatoprotective Effects of Propolis Extract Against Carbon Tetrachloride–Induced Acute Liver Damage in Rats. Advances In Natural Therapy, Vol. 24, n. 5, Sept/Oct. 2007.
GUPTA, R. C. et al. Nutraceuticals in Periodontal Health and Diseases in Dogs and Cats. In GUPTA, R.C. Nutraceuticals in Veterinary Medicine (2019) Ed. Springer, pp. 447-466.
RAMOS, A.F.N., MIRANDA, J.L. Propolis: a review of its anti-inflammatory and healing actions. J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis. V.13, n.4, p.697-710, 2007.
SANTOS, L.M. et al. Propolis: Types, composition, biological activities and veterinary product patent prospecting. Journal of Science and Food Agriculture. Vol.100, n.4. Mar. 2020. p. 369-1382.
SILVA, R.P.D. et al. Antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiparasitic and cytotoxic properties of various Brazilian propolis extracts. PLOS ONE, Mar. 2017, doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0172585.
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