Revolutionizing Animal Health! How Nanopropolis Liposomes Could Replace Antibiotics Naturally

 

Preparation Technique of Nanopropolis Liposomes and Their Potential to Improve Animal Health

 

Pudjiatmoko

Member of the Nanotechnology Technical Committee, National Standardization Agency of Indonesia

 

ABSTRACT

 

Propolis is a natural product produced by honey bees, containing various bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenols, and aromatic acids that exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its use in animal health applications remains limited due to its poor water solubility and instability under heat and light. One innovative approach to enhance the stability and bioavailability of propolis is through nano-propolis liposome (NPL) technology. This article discusses the techniques used in the preparation of nano-propolis liposomes and their potential applications in improving animal health and performance.

Keywords: propolis, liposome, nanoparticle, antioxidant, animal health

 

1. INTRODUCTION

 

Propolis is widely recognized as a natural product rich in bioactive compounds with diverse biological activities, including antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects (Burdock, 1998; Bankova et al., 2019). In the field of animal health, propolis shows promise as a natural feed additive to enhance the immune system, improve growth performance, and reduce reliance on antibiotics (Seven et al., 2020).

 

However, the conventional use of propolis faces limitations due to its physicochemical properties, such as poor water solubility, susceptibility to degradation by heat, light, and oxidation, and low bioavailability after oral administration (Tanuwiria et al., 2021). Therefore, technological approaches are required to protect and enhance the efficacy of its active constituents. One of the most widely applied technologies for this purpose is the liposome-based nanodelivery system (Anjum et al., 2019; Hosseini et al., 2022).

 

2. METHOD

 

This article was prepared using a literature review method, by examining various scientific sources related to liposomal technology and the application of propolis in animal health. Data and information were collected from research articles, scientific reviews, and technical reports published in national and international peer-reviewed journals between 1998 and 2024.

 

The literature search was conducted through databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Google Scholar, and DOAJ using keywords: “liposome propolis,” “nano-propolis,” “liposomal delivery system,” and “animal health.” The selected articles included studies on (1) liposome preparation methods, (2) nano-propolis characterization, and (3) biological applications in animals.

 

All references were evaluated based on relevance, novelty, and scientific validity. Information from each source was synthesized and systematically presented into several sections: preparation techniques, characterization, health benefits, and future prospects.

 

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 

3.1. Preparation Technique of Nano-Propolis Liposomes

3.1.1. Propolis Extraction

Raw propolis is cleaned of impurities and air-dried, then extracted using 70–80% ethanol to dissolve bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolics (Bankova et al., 2018). The ethanolic extract is filtered, and the solvent is evaporated under reduced pressure at low temperature using a rotary evaporator to obtain a viscous propolis extract (da Silva et al., 2017).

 

3.1.2. Preparation of Liposomal Components

The main components of liposomes are phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) and cholesterol, which form the bilayer structure and stabilize vesicle integrity (Mozafari et al., 2008). These components are dissolved in organic solvents such as chloroform or ethanol to obtain a homogeneous lipid solution.

 

3.1.3. Thin-Film Hydration Method

The most common method for liposome preparation is the thin-film hydration technique. The lipid solution is evaporated under reduced pressure at 40–50°C using a rotary evaporator to form a thin lipid film on the flask wall. The film is then hydrated with a propolis extract solution in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) to produce a coarse liposomal suspension (Akbarzadeh et al., 2013).

 

3.1.4. Particle Size Reduction

The coarse liposomal suspension is processed using ultrasonication or membrane extrusion to produce nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 50 to 200 nm (Bulbake et al., 2017). This step is crucial to improve stability, homogeneity, and the penetration ability of propolis bioactives.

 

3.1.5. Characterization and Stability of Liposomes

Characterization is conducted using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) to determine the average particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (Mozafari, 2005). Liposomes with PDI < 0.3 and zeta potential > ±30 mV are considered physically stable. The formulations are stored at 4°C to maintain their physical and chemical stability (Tavakoli et al., 2021).

 

3.2. Benefits of Nano-Propolis Liposomes for Animal Health

Several studies have demonstrated that nano-propolis liposomes (NPL) exert significant physiological and immunological effects in livestock. In poultry, NPL supplementation has been shown to improve body weight gain, feed efficiency, and intestinal health, particularly under heat stress conditions (Hosseini et al., 2022; Purnama et al., 2024).

 

Furthermore, NPL exhibits strong antioxidant activity by enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in tissues (Seven et al., 2020; Afroz et al., 2024). Immunomodulatory effects have also been reported through increased immunoglobulin levels and upregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine genes such as TNF-α and IL-10 (Hosseini et al., 2022).

 

3.3. Prospects and Challenges of NPL Development

Although nano-propolis liposome technology offers numerous advantages, several challenges remain, including high production costs, the need for specialized equipment, and the necessity of long-term safety assessments to ensure residue safety in animal-derived products (Anjum et al., 2019). Additionally, the stability during storage and distribution requires optimization through lipid composition adjustments and proper storage conditions (Tavakoli et al., 2021).

 

Integration of basic and applied research in veterinary nanotechnology is essential to accelerate the adoption of NPL technology in modern livestock production systems and sustainable animal farming.

 

4. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 

4.1. Conclusion

Nano-propolis liposomes (NPL) represent an innovative bioactive delivery system that effectively enhances the stability, bioavailability, and biological activity of propolis in animals. NPL application has great potential to improve growth performance, strengthen antioxidant status, and enhance immune responses in animals exposed to environmental stress, such as heat stress. This technology offers a natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters and supports sustainable livestock practices within the One Health framework.

 

4.2. Recommendations for Future Research

Future research should focus on optimizing nano-propolis liposome formulations, including variations in phospholipid composition, propolis-to-cholesterol ratios, and the effects of particle size on absorption efficiency and storage stability. In addition, comprehensive in vivo studies on various animal species are needed to evaluate the long-term physiological, immunological, and toxicological effects, as well as economic and industrial feasibility assessments to facilitate large-scale implementation of NPL technology in the livestock sector.

 

REFERENCES

 

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14.Tanuwiria U.H., Widiastuti R., Tanuwiria L., Cahyadi M. 2021. The use of propolis as an alternative feed additive to improve the health and productivity of livestock. Livestock Research for Rural Development 33(9).

15.Tavakoli F., Bakhshi A., Ghahremani S., et al. 2021. Liposome formulation optimization and stability evaluation for encapsulation of herbal bioactives. Journal of Nanobiotechnology 19:1-13.

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#Veterinary Nanotechnology, 

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