Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Brown Brazilian propolis fights itraconazole-resistant Sporothrix
By Waller, Stefanie B et al.·Published in Microbial pathogenesis·2017·Centro de Diagnó, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Chemical and cytotoxic analyses of brown Brazilian propolis (Apis mellifera) and its in vitro activity against itraconazole-resistant Sporothrix brasiliensis.
Plain-English summary
A study found that brown Brazilian propolis, a natural substance made by bees, showed promise in fighting a fungal infection called sporotrichosis in dogs and cats. Many of the animals tested had strains of the fungus that were resistant to a common antifungal medication called itraconazole. However, propolis was effective against these resistant strains, with all samples showing sensitivity to it. While propolis appears to be a good option for treating this infection, further research is needed to ensure its safety and effectiveness for pets.
People also search for: dog sporotrichosis treatment · cat fungal infection propolis · itraconazole resistance in pets
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of brown Brazilian propolis and its in vitro activity against itraconazole-resistant Sporothrix brasiliensis from animal sporotrichosis. Propolis was acquired commercially and prepared as a hydroalcoholic extract. Chemical analysis was evaluated by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry of ultra-efficiency. The cell viability was evaluated by MTT test in MDBK cells of 50 to 0.09 μg/mL. For antifungal tests, twenty isolates of Sporothrix brasiliensis from dogs (n = 11) and cats (n = 9) with sporotrichosis were tested to itraconazole (16-0.0313 μg/mL) and to propolis (3.125-0.09 mg/mL) by broth microdilution technique (CLSI M38-A2), adapted to natural products. The results were expressed in minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC). Itraconazole showed activity between MIC values of 0.25 to greater than 16 μg/mL, and 88.9% (08/09) and 72.7% (08/11) of S. brasiliensis from cats and dogs, respectively, were considered itraconazole-resistant. All Sporothrix brasiliensis were sensitive to brown propolis between MIC values of 0.19-1.56 mg/mL, including the itraconazole-resistant isolates, whereas the MFC values of propolis were from 0.78 to greater than 3.125 mg/mL. Propolis maintained a medium to high cell viability between concentration of 0.78 to 0.09 μg/mL, and p-coumaric acid was the major compound. Brown Brazilian propolis is a promising antifungal candidate against sporotrichosis and more studies need to be undertaken to evaluate its safe use to understand its efficacy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28219829/