Nanostructured Propolis as Therapeutic Systems With Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract Propolis (bee glue) is a bud-resin strong adhesive produced by bees Apis mellifera L., which is already being used by humans since ancient times for its pharmaceutical properties, including antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. It is relatively nontoxic and safe. Despite its chemical complexity and variation, the propolis biological activities are already well studied worldwide. All types of propolis possess significant antimicrobial activity against various types of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and virus. Many studies have reported the use of this compound in pharmaceutical, medicinal, veterinary, and dentistry areas, and the results have proven its pharmacological activities. Moreover, many nanostructured therapeutic systems containing propolis have been proposed and their properties evaluated, among them precursor systems of liquid crystalline phase, mucoadhesive thermoresponsive systems, polymeric microparticles of gelatin, polymeric microparticles of ethylcellulose, chitosan hydrogels, and liposomes. On the other hand, considering its chemical and physical characteristics, propolis is used as a material to produce nanostructured systems, as pharmaceutical films with polymeric adjuvant (gelatin or ethylcellulose) and nanoparticles with adjuvant gelatin. In this context, the purpose of this chapter is to address the therapeutic potential of nanostructured systems containing propolis that may add to safety and effectiveness in the antimicrobial arsenal.