Antioxidant properties of Indian propolis

Antioxidant properties of total ethanolic extract of Indian propolis were investigated in this study, and the antioxidant activity of hexane soluble portion, ethyl acetate soluble portion and ethanol soluble portion of the crude propolis were also determind. Although the alcoholic extract (TEEP) showed moderate antioxidant activity, it was found that ethyl acetate soluble fraction of propolis (EAFP) exhibited superior antioxidant activity to the activity of trolox at the same concentration. Also it showed the maximum DPPH scavenging activity (81%) and NO radical scavenging activity (60%) as compared to the other formulations which were higher. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction was found to exhibit strongest trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and other free radical scavenging activities. From IC50 values it was deduced that antioxidant compounds were located in the ethyl acetate soluble fraction. Thus Indian propolis was shown to act as a natural antioxidant; these properties may make it useful for pharmaceutical industries and as a food supplement.