Chemical Components and Antioxidant Activity of Geotrigona sp. and Tetragonisca fiebrigi Stingless Bee Cerumen Reduce Juglone-Induced Oxidative Stress in Caenorhabditis elegans

• Published in: Antioxidants Vol. 12; no. 6; p. 1276
• Main Authors: Ferreira, Isamara Carvalho, Côrrea, Raíssa Cristina Darroz, Orué, Sarah Lam, Leite, Daniel Ferreira, da Rocha, Paola Dos Santos, Cardoso, Claudia Andrea Lima, Mussury, Rosilda Mara, Vit, Patricia, de Picoli Souza, Kely, Dos Santos, Edson Lucas, Campos, Jaqueline Ferreira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 15-06-2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Antioxidants; Beeswax; bioprospecting; Caenorhabditis elegans; Chromatography; Erythrocytes; Fatty acids; Free radicals; Geotrigona; Homogenization; Juglone; Lipid peroxidation; meliponines; Nematodes; Oxidative stress; Particle size; Plant reproduction; Resins; Sensors; Sodium; Tetragonisca fiebrigi; Brazil; bioprospecting; meliponines; oxidative stress
• ISSN: 2076-3921; 2076-3921
• DOI: 10.3390/antiox12061276

Cerumen is a bee product produced exclusively by stingless bees, resulting from a mixture of beeswax and plant resins. The antioxidant activity of bee products has been investigated since oxidative stress is associated with the onset and progression of several diseases that can lead to death. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of cerumen produced by the
sp. and
stingless bees, in vitro and in vivo. The chemical characterization of cerumen extracts was performed by HPLC, GC, and ICP OES analyses. The in vitro antioxidant potential was evaluated by DPPH
and ABTS
free radical scavenging methods, and in human erythrocytes subjected to oxidative stress with AAPH. In vivo, the antioxidant potential was evaluated in
nematodes subjected to oxidative stress with juglone. Both cerumen extracts presented phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and metallic minerals in their chemical constitution. The cerumen extracts showed antioxidant activity by capturing free radicals, reducing lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes, and reducing oxidative stress in
, observed by the increase in viability. The results obtained indicate that cerumen extracts from
sp. and
stingless bees may be promising against oxidative stress and associated diseases.