ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF PROPOLIS

BACKGROUND In the present scenario of increasing bacterial drug resistance where the selection of antibiotics available becomes a limiting factor, botanicals (natural products) with antioxidant properties which can stimulate the immune system to kill the pathogen are considered best for oral diseases. Propolis is one such natural product which exhibits a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antitumor, anticancer, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective actions. The chemical composition and beneficial properties of propolis vary greatly depending on the phytogeographical areas, seasonal collection time, and botanical source. Very few studies on propolis are reported from Karnataka. This invitro study therefore aimed to evaluate efficacy of propolis against oral microorganisms. Propolis used in the study is procured from Sullia, Dhakshina Kannada district, Karnataka state, India. Aims and Objectives-This invitro study evaluates the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of water extract propolis procured from Sullia taluk, Dhakshina Kannada district, Karnataka state, India. It also determines the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the sample responsible for these properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS Propolis was extracted using distilled water by maceration and refluxing method. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric method and aluminium chloride colorimetric method respectively. Antibacterial activity was determined by using standard agar disc diffusion method against four oral microbes (S. aureus, S. mutans, A. actinomycetemcomitans, Candida albicans). RESULTS Total phenolic content & total flavonoid content of pure water extract sample was 18 mg/g of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 32.86 mg/g of quercetin equivalent (QE) respectively. The sample showed significant antimicrobial activity against tested microbes. CONCLUSION Propolis collected from bee hive of Apis mellifera at Sullia taluk, Dhakshina Kannada District, Karnataka State, India is a potential natural antioxidant source and is a promising antimicrobial drug for various bacterial infections related to dental diseases.