# Trypanocidal Effects of Polyprenylated Benzophenone Enriched Brazilian Red Propolis Extract and Its Isolated Constituent

## TL;DR

Brazilian red propolis extract and its compounds show trypanocidal effects against Chagas disease parasites with moderate safety.

## Contribution

The study identifies polyprenylated benzophenones in Brazilian red propolis as promising new leads for Chagas disease drug development.

## Key findings

- SEBz extract showed EC50 values of 17.97 µg/mL against trypomastigotes and 6.83 µg/mL against amastigotes.
- GUT/XAN and OBL had EC50 ≤ 5 µM against trypomastigotes and moderate cytotoxicity.
- Ultrastructural analysis revealed nuclear deformation and vacuolation in treated parasites.

## Abstract

Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease, affects millions of individuals in developing countries. Due to the limitations of current therapeutic options, the search for new bioactive compounds is crucial. Brazilian red propolis, a resinous bee product from northeastern Brazil, is recognized for its diverse chemical constituents and biological, including antiparasitic, activities. This study evaluated the in vitro activity of a polyprenylated benzophenone‐enriched Brazilian red propolis extract (SEBz) and its constituents, the mixture of isomers guttiferone E and xanthochymol (GUT/XAN), and oblongifolin B (OBL), against Trypanosoma cruzi (Y strain) trypomastigote and amastigote forms. Cytotoxicity and hemolysis assays assess safety. SEBz exhibited antiparasitic activity, with 50% effective concentration (EC50) values of 17.97 µg mL−1 (trypomastigotes) and 6.83 µg mL−1 (amastigotes) after 48 h, while demonstrating moderate cytotoxicity on the C2C12 myoblast cell line (50% cytotoxicity concentration [CC50] 42.80 µg mL−1 at 48 h). Both GUT/XAN and OBL showed trypanocidal effects (EC50 ≤ 5 µM against trypomastigotes; GUT/XAN EC50 7.91 µM on amastigotes), with moderate cytotoxicity (CC50 < 20 µM). Neither the extract nor the compounds induced significant hemolysis. Ultrastructural analysis of treated parasites revealed nuclear deformation and vacuolation. These findings support the potential of Brazilian red propolis benzophenones as promising leads for Chagas disease drug development.

In vitro trypanocidal activity of a polyprenylated benzophenone‐enriched Brazilian red propolis extract (SEBz) and its major constituents, guttiferone E/xanthochymol (GUT/XAN) and oblongifolin B (OBL), exhibit in vitro trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi, inducing ultrastructural damage with moderate cytotoxicity and no significant hemolysis, highlighting their potential as leads for Chagas disease drug development.