GC-MS analysis and antileishmanial activities of two Turkish propolis types

Propolis is a honeybee product with a very complex chemical composition and various pharmacological properties. This study was aimed to investigate antileishmanial activities of “Bursa” and “Hatay” propolis samples against Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tropica strains. Propolis samples were analysed with the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. Promastigotes were incubated in Roswell Park Memorial Institute culture medium in the absence and presence of several concentrations (50, 100, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 μg/mL) of each propolis sample. The viability and cell morphology of promastigotes in each concentration were examined after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of incubation. The growth of leishmania parasites was significantly suppressed in the presence of 500, 750, and 1,000 μg/mL of Hatay propolis. Bursa propolis was found to be efficient in inhibiting the growth of leishmania promastigotes in culture media at these concentrations, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 μg/mL. Thus, the in vitro results showed that the Hatay and Bursa propolis samples decreased significantly the proliferation of L. infantum and L. tropica parasites (p < 0.001); however, Bursa propolis was found to be more effective than Hatay propolis against leishmania promastigotes. These two natural products may be useful agents in the prevention of leishmanial infections.