Journal article
Cerumen of Australian stingless bees (Tetragonula carbonaria): gas chromatography-mass spectrometry fingerprints and potential anti-inflammatory properties
Naturwissenschaften, Vol.98(4), pp.329-337
2011
Abstract
Cerumen, or propolis, is a mixture of plant resins enriched with bee secretions. In Australia, stingless bees are important pollinators that use cerumen for nest construction and possibly for colony’s health. While extensive research attests to the therapeutic properties of honeybee (Apis mellifera) propolis, the biological and medicinal properties of Australian stingless bee cerumen are largely unknown. In this study, the chemical and biological properties of polar extracts of cerumen from Tetragonula carbonaria in South East Queensland, Australia were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses and in vitro 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) cell-free assays. Extracts were tested against comparative (commercial tincture of A. mellifera propolis) and positive controls (Trolox and gallic acid). Distinct GC-MS fingerprints of a mixed diterpenic profile typical of native bee cerumen were obtained with pimaric acid (6.31±0.97%, w/w), isopimaric acid (12.23±3.03%, w/w), and gallic acid (5.79±0.81%, w/w) tentatively identified as useful chemical markers. Characteristic flavonoids and prenylated phenolics found in honeybee propolis were absent. Cerumen extracts from T. carbonaria inhibited activity of 5-LOX, an enzyme known to catalyse production of proinflammatory mediators (IC50 19.97±2.67 μg/ml, mean±SEM, n=4). Extracts had similar potency to Trolox (IC50 12.78±1.82 μg/ml), but were less potent than honeybee propolis (IC50 5.90±0.62 μg/ml) or gallic acid (IC50 5.62±0.35 μg/ml, P < 0.001). These findings warrant further investigation of the ecological and medicinal properties of this stingless bee cerumen, which may herald a commercial potential for the Australian beekeeping industry.
Details
- Title
- Cerumen of Australian stingless bees (Tetragonula carbonaria): gas chromatography-mass spectrometry fingerprints and potential anti-inflammatory properties
- Authors
- Carmelina F Massaro (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and EducationPeter R Brooks (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and EducationHelen M Wallace (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and EducationFraser D Russell (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
- Publication details
- Naturwissenschaften, Vol.98(4), pp.329-337
- Publisher
- Springer
- Date published
- 2011
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00114-011-0770-7
- ISSN
- 0028-1042
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2011 Springer-Verlag. The author's accepted version is reproduced here in accordance with the publisher's copyright policy. The final publication is available at www.springerlink.com.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Biomedicine; School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449623902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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