Propolis of Tubuna bee (Scaptotrigona bipunctata) from the Meliponini tribe alleviates glycaemic, oxidative, and inflammatory conditions during STZ induced diabetes in Wistar rats also aiding in injury recovery

This study was designed to characterize and describe the in vivo effects of an ethanolic propolis extract (EHAP) from the native Brazilian bee Tubuna (Scaptotrigona bipunctata). Propolis has been recently proposed as an adjuvant during diabetes, mainly because propolis possesses various natural compounds without the elevated sugar quantities found in pure honey. Compounds with biological activity and in vitro antioxidant potential have been detected in propolis from Tubuna. Streptozotocin (STZ) is a well-documented model to induce experimental diabetes in rodents. We have detected potential compounds in Tubuna propolis and observed the effects of daily oral treatment with EHAP in Wistar rats during experimental diabetes. EHAP improved glucose tolerance in STZ animals without significantly changing net and organ weight. STZ increases levels of TBARS and Carbonyl, and reduces levels of -SH, effects partially controlled by EHAP, particularly in serum. EHAP decreases inflammatory mediators TnF-ɑ and IL-1β in diabetic animals and decreases paw swelling during carrageenan induced edema. In conclusion, Tubuna propolis constituents possess interesting biological activities to aid in several diseases, but this still needs further studies in these particular pathologies. This is the first work to characterize Tubuna propolis from Rio Grande do Sul and the first work to describe its effects in an animal model of experimental diabetes or any animal model of disease. Treatment with EHAP shows potential to regulate conditions during STZ induced diabetes, aiding in injury recovery paw edema. Mechanistic studies, other models of long-term diabetes or metabolic syndrome, and a complete characterization of propolis from Tubuna are potential targets for future studies.