Propolis nanoparticles are expected to become drugs for the treatment of diabetes!

Propolis nanoparticles are expected to become drugs for the treatment of diabetes!

Today, diabetes as a metabolic disorder is increasing at an alarming rate. Glycation and the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are the most important factors in the complications of diabetes. Due to the side effects of synthetic drugs, the demand for natural anti-diabetic herbs has increased.

"Propolis", a natural resin substance that exists in the hive, is used by bees as a glue material to seal open spaces and cracks in the hive. Propolis can not only protect the beehive by closing the cracks, sealing the space and smoothing the inner wall of the hive, but also can be used as propolis to protect the larvae and hive of the bees from microbial infection.

Propolis has been recognized and used by humans for a long time. At present, propolis is used as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, anesthetic, antitumor, antifungal, antiseptic, antimutagenic, antihepatic drug. Due to the impact of nanotechnology on medicine and the beneficial role of nanoparticles in treatment, propolis nanoparticles were prepared.

The Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the University of Tehran has studied the anti-glycation effect of different concentrations of propolis nanoparticles on human hemoglobin (Hb) glycosylation and fructosylation. The spectral method was compared with aspirin as a common anti-glycation agent. Fluorescence spectrum results showed that propolis nanoparticles inhibited the formation of glucose and fructose in human hemoglobin glycosylation and fructose advanced glycation end products (AGEs), respectively. The results of circular dichroism spectra show that propolis nanoparticles lead to an increase in Hbβ-sheet content and a decrease in α-helix content.

In addition, UV-Vis spectra and fluorescence emission results of heme degradation products show that propolis nanoparticles have a protective effect on heme during human hemoglobin (Hb) glycosylation and fructosylation. It is worth noting that the synergy of the combined propolis nanoparticles and aspirin far outweighs their use alone. Therefore, propolis nanoparticles as natural products have the potential to become effective drugs for the treatment of diabetes.

(Original reference: Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, Volume 177, 1 May 2019, Pages 188-195, Propolis nanoparticles prevent structural changes in human hemoglobin during glycation and fructation)