The effect of ethanolic extract of propolis and glucose oxidase on secondary infections of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is an endemic parasitosis that leads to chronic cutaneous lesions. These lesions may be infected by bacteria and lead to secondary infections. Propolis is a wax-like resin produced by honeybees from substances collected from plants, which are mixed with beeswax and other compounds of bee metabolism. Propolis is a mixture of balsams and resins, waxes, essential oils, phenolicos, pollen, and other substances that is used by bees in the construction, repair and protection of their hives, mainly due to its mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity. Glucose oxidase (GOX) is a type of enzyme commonly found in many types of fungus and bacteria. Glucose oxidase plays a key role not only in digestive processes, but also, and perhaps more importantly, in overall human health, physical rejuvenation and antibacterial activity. Glucose oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of β-D-glucose to D-glucono-1,5-lactone and hydrogen peroxide. The present study was aimed at investigating the susceptibility of the microorganisms Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Corynebacterium xerosis to ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) and glucose oxidase. These bacteria were obtained from secondary infections of cutaneous leishmaniasis. When these bacteria were exposed in vitro to EEP, larger inhibition zones were observed for the Grampositive bacteria, while both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were sensitive to glucose oxidase.