Abstract:
We evaluated the therapeutic potential and physicochemical characteristics of propolis samples collected
from three councils, namely Khoelenya (F03), Lithipeng (F04) and Thaba-mokhele (F05), in the Mohale’s
Hoek district, Lesotho. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of the therapeutic
potential, physicochemical characteristics and colour variation to the geographical location and
botanical sources of the collected propolis samples. The collected samples presented remarkable
colour variation, ranging from green (25%) to brown (58%) to grey (17%). The highest antioxidant
activity was observed in green-coloured propolis samples collected from Lithipeng F04P01 and
Khoelenya F03P01, with 2,2–diphenyl–1–picryl–hydrazyl–hydrate (DPPH) half maximal inhibitory
concentration (IC50) values of 0.21 and 0.23 mg/mL, respectively. The antioxidant activity (DPPH IC50)
did not correlate completely with the total polyphenolic content (R2=0.1733) and total flavonoid
content (R2=0.4836). Moreover, the highest antimicrobial activity was observed on grey propolis
collected from Thaba-mokhele, F05P04 and F05P03, with minimum inhibitory concentration of 3.13
mg/mL for both samples, especially against Staphylococcus aureus. The qualitative phytochemical
analysis detected the presence of polyphenols, alkaloids and flavonoids in all collected samples. Thus,
our findings could lead to the formulation of a “local” Lesotho type of propolis that could be used as
an official medicine. This could be a big marketing advantage for the Lesotho pharmaceutical and
beekeeping industries.
