Investigation of the Gastroprotective Activity of Propolis Extracted in Different Solvents

Propolis is a product produced by honeybees that collects the resins of plants. Secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds, which are found in the resin of plants and are incorporated into propolis, give propolis many biological properties. Propolis exhibits various properties such as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, immunomodulator, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer and wound healing accelerator. The properties vary depending on the source of the plant, season, altitude, climate zone and extraction solvent. The present study investigated and compared the effects of different propolis extracts prepared using alcohol, water, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and olive oil on the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in nine group of Balb/C mice (n=8). Epithelial loss, erosion, bleeding, edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and mean clinical scores results were evaluated statistically between different propolis extracts compared to omeprazole. Since the histopathological results were remarkably similar, the general assessment was made with the mean clinical score. It was found that DMSO and olive oil extracts of propolis had gastroprotective effects similar to omeprazole. In contrast, hydro-alcohol and water extracts did not show significant differences compared to their solvents and gastroprotective activity. In conclusion, it was determined that the olive oil extract of propolis, which is especially suitable for direct consumption, has the potential to be used as a gastroprotective.