Propolis collected from botanical sources by honey bee, has been used as a popular natural remedies in folk medicine throughout the world. This study was conducted to assess growth inhibitory effects of ethanol extracts of propolis (EEPs) from 20 different regions in South Korea on human intestinal bacteria as well as BACE-1, AChE inhibitory, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and anti-human rhinovirus activities. Correlation coefficient (r) analysis of the biological activities of EEP samples was determined using their 50% inhibition concentration or minimal inhibitory concentration values and their polyphenol or flavonoid contents in 20 Korean EEP samples. Correlation coefficient analysis showed that total polyphenol contents may be negatively correlated with DPPH free radical scavenging activity (r = –0.872) and total flavonoid content has no correlation with the activity (r = 0.071). No direct correlation between BACE-1 inhibition, AChE inhibition, or antiproliferative activity and total polyphenol or total flavonoid content in Korean EEP samples was found.

• Xue Wang(Entomology Major, Department of Agriculture Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Karuppasamy Sankarapandian(Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University)
• Yizhe Cheng(Entomology Major, Department of Agriculture Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Soon Ok Woo(National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration)
• Hyung Wook Kwon(Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University)
• Haribalan Perumalsamy(Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University)
• Young-Joon Ahn(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)