The effects of Malaysian propolis and Brazilian red propolis on connective tissue fibroblasts in the wound healing process

Abstract

Background: To evaluate and compare the effects of ethanolic extracts of Malaysian propolis and Brazilian red propolis at different concentrations on the migration and proliferation of fibroblast cells. Methods: Malaysian and Brazilian red propolis crude samples were extracted using ethanol. Their wound healing effects were tested in vitro on the normal human fibroblast cell line CRL-7522. Cell migration and proliferation assays were carried out using propolis concentrations of 1, 10, 100, 250, 500 and 1000μg/mL. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni tests (aα = 0.05). Results: Malaysian and Brazilian red propolis followed a concentration-dependent increasing and decreasing trend. Malaysian propolis showed the fastest migration rate at 250μg/mL which was statistically significant (p < 0.05) and maximum proliferation at 500μg/mL with no significant difference (p > 0.05) compared to control. Brazilian red propolis showed a slight increase in migration and proliferation at 10 and 100μg/mL, respectively with no significant difference (p > 0.05) compared to control, while concentrations above these conferred inhibitory effects. Conclusion: Malaysian and Brazilian red propolis show potential to assist in wound healing, depending on their concentration.