Work

Brazilian brown propolis from Mimosa tenuiflora prevents airway smooth muscle hyper-responsiveness in an ovalbumin-induced asthma model

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Propolis, a resinous product collected by Apis mellifera , is widely used in traditional medicine for respiratory disorders, mainly due to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. In this context, the present study investigated the phytochemical profile of Brazilian brown propolis with Mimosa tenuiflora as the proposed botanical source and evaluated its biological effects in an experimental model of allergic asthma. The chemical composition of propolis was characterized by UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS and GC–MS, while its activity was assessed in ovalbumin-induced asthmatic Wistar rats. Animals received oral propolis (125–500 mg.kg⁻¹), and airway reactivity was evaluated ex vivo in control, asthmatic, propolis-treated, and dexamethasone-treated groups. Chemical analysis revealed a triterpene-rich profile, with lupeol as the predominant tentatively identified constituent. Functionally, propolis treatment attenuated airway smooth muscle hyper-responsiveness in a dose-dependent manner, reducing carbachol-induced contractions and enhancing bronchodilator-induced relaxation. Overall, Brazilian brown propolis exhibited a characteristic triterpene-rich chemical profile and showed biological activity in airway dysfunction. These findings suggest that the identified chemical profile may be associated with the observed effects; however, further studies are required to determine the contribution of individual constituents to the pharmacological responses.

Source: Phytochemistry Letters

DOI: 10.1016/j.phytol.2026.104265