Preparation and antioxidant properties of water extract of propolis

A water extract was prepared from fresh propolis from Brazil. Antioxidant activity was measured using a lipid peroxidation model system. The activity was very strong and, at 1 and 5 mg/ml, higher than that of 5 mM ascorbic acid. The scavenging activity against superoxide anion radical of water extract of propolis was high, and the extracts, at 50 and 100 mg/ml, completely inhibited the production of superoxide. The extracts, at 50 and 100 mg/ml, completely inhibited the hydroxyl radical. This suggests that the water extract of propolis has potential as a pharmaceutical for patients with various diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.