Investigation of total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity of the propolis samples collected from three regions of Kerman province

Propolis is a resinous natural substance with various biological properties produced by honey bees. In this project, the ethanolic extracts of propolis samples collected from three regions of Kerman province (Lalehzar, Rayen and Sarasiab) have been studied. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were investigated by Folin-Ciocalteu and Aluminum Chloride methods, respectively, and their antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity were evaluated using DPPH and Ellman methods. The obtained results showed that the contents of total phenol (165.97 mg equivalent gallic acid per gram of extract) and flavonoid (72.26 mg equivalent quercetin per gram of extract) of Lalehzar sample are more than two-fold higher than that of Sarasiab and Rayen samples. The ability of Lalehzar propolis to inhibit DPPH free radical (IC50: 5.64 µg/ml) was also approximately seven times greater than that of the other two samples. Therefore, there is a direct relationship between antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the propolis samples. The data obtained from Ellman test indicated that the anticholinesterase activity of Lalehzar sample (IC50: 14.37 µg/ml) is 4.8 and 5.4-fold greater than that of Rayen and Sarasiab samples, respectively. Summing up the results, the Lalehzar propolis is a very good candidate for further studies.