The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2022;11(4):275-280 ; DOI:10.31254/phyto.2022.11409
Antimicrobial activity and brine shrimp toxicity of propolis collected from various regions of Tanzania
Olipa David Ngassapa1 , Deborah Kiumlo Balira Runyoro1 , Sheila Mgole Maregesi1 , Raphael Zozimus Sangeda2 , Stephen Msemo3 , Rogers Mwakalukwa1 , Abdul Waziri Kidukuli1 , Ezekiel Marandu2
1. Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
2. Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
3. Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) Agency, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 13th June, 2022 / Accepted: 2nd August, 2022
Background: Propolis has been traditionally used in many countries for management of various health conditions and many previous studies have shown that it has many biological activities, including antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity. However, not much has been studied with regard to Tanzanian propolis; hence this study reports biological activity of propolis collected from 9 regions of Tanzania. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and potential cytotoxicity of propolis samples collected from various regions of Tanzania. Methods: Ethanolic extracts of 28 propolis samples collected from 9 regions in Tanzania were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against Gram +ve bacteria, Gram -ve bacteria and fungi, using the broth microdilution method, through which minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined. Brine shrimp lethality test was done using Artemia salina nauplii, as a preliminary indication of potential anticancer activity. Results: Out of 28 tested propolis samples, 21 exhibited antimicrobial activity on one or more microorganisms at the tested concentrations, with MICs of 1.25 – 5.0 mg/ml. Fourteen out of 28 samples were found to be toxic on brine shrimps, with a sample from Singida region being the most toxic. Conclusion: Propolis samples from various regions of Tanzania demonstrated antimicrobial activity on some microorganisms, indicating that they are a potential source of antimicrobial agents. Some samples also exhibited brine shrimp toxicity; implying that they may also be toxic on cancer cells and thus, may be a potential source of anticancer agents. They may also be a source of compounds with other biological activities.
Tanzanian Propolis, Antimicrobial Activity, Brine Shrimp Toxicity
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Ngassapa OD, Runyoro DKB, Maregesi SM, Sangeda RZ, Msemo S, MwakalukwaR, Kidukuli AW, Ezekiel Marandu E. Antimicrobial activity and brine shrimptoxicity of propolis collected from various regions of Tanzania. J Phytopharmacol2022; 11(4):275-280. doi: 10.31254/phyto.2022.11409
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