Propolis is a complex resinous honeybee product. It is reported to display diverse bioactivities, which depends on the geography, climate and floral sources. The present work aimed “for the first time” to evaluate the chemical composition and its correlation to some biological activities for three Sudanese propolis samples from different localities. Assessment of total phenolic and total flavonoid contents revealed that sample (C) showed the highest total phenolic, while sample (B) showed the highest total flavonoid contents. The highest free radical scavenging activity was obtained from sample (C). Sudanese propolis was investigated for the in-vitro cytotoxic activity against four human cancer cell lines; HCT116, MCF-7, HEPG2 and PC3. Sample (A) had a strong cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and PC3-cell lines more than that of the drug doxorubicin. Sample (B) showed the highest significant acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity than that of the drug (Distigmine bromide). Samples (A and B) showed strong antimicrobial activity against Staph. aureus, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. Three food-related mycotoxin producer molds (A. niger, A. flavus and F. oxysporum) were resistant to all propolis extracts. All the three samples showed no α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. GC/MS analyses revealed the identification of 87 compounds; alkylresorcinols were solely present in Sample (A), penta- and hexahydroxy-flavans, phosphoric acid- 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester in Sample (B) and caffeoylquinic acid esters in Sample (C). Eighteen flavonoids were quantitatively identified by HPLC analysis in all propolis samples. Chrysin-7-methylether and 8-methoxykaempferol were significantly present in (A), while naringenin, and biochanin A in (B). There was minor presence for flavonoids in (C).
