Green Brazilian Propolis Action on Macrophages and Lymphoid Organs of Chronically Stressed Mice

Stress is a generic term that summarizes how psychosocial and environmental factors influence physical and mental well-being. The interaction between stress and immunity has been widely investigated, involving the neuroendocrine system and several organs. Assays using natural products in stress models deserve further investigation. Propolis immunomodulatory action has been mentioned and it has been the subject of scientific investigation in our laboratory. The aim of this study was to evaluate if and how propolis activated macrophages in BALB/c mice submitted to immobilization stress, as well as the histopathological analysis of the thymus, bone marrow, spleen and adrenal glands. Stressed mice showed a higher hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation by peritoneal macrophages, and propolis treatment potentiated H2O2 generation and inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production by these cells. Histopathological analysis showed no alterations in the thymus, bone marrow and adrenal glands, but increased germinal centers in the spleen. Propolis treatment counteracted the alterations found in the spleen of stressed mice. New research is being carried out in order to elucidate propolis immunomodulatory action during stress

Cinnamic Acid Is Partially Involved in Propolis Immunomodulatory Action on Human Monocytes

Propolis is a beehive product used in traditional medicine due to its biological properties. It shows a complex chemical composition including phenolics, such as cinnamic acid (Ci). The mechanisms of action of propolis have been the subject of research recently; however, the involvement of Ci on propolis activity was not investigated on immune cells. Ci effects were evaluated on human monocytes, assessing the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), HLA-DR, and CD80. Cytokine production (TNF-α and IL-10) and the fungicidal activity of monocytes were evaluated as well. Data showed that Ci downregulated TLR-2, HLA-DR, and CD80 and upregulated TLR-4 expression by human monocytes. High concentrations of Ci inhibited both TNF-α and IL-10 production, whereas the same concentrations induced a higher fungicidal activity against Candida albicans. TNF-α and IL-10 production was decreased by blocking TLR-4, while the fungicidal activity of monocytes was not affected by blocking TLRs. These results suggest that Ci modulated antigen receptors, cytokine production, and the fungicidal activity of human monocytes depending on concentration, and TLR-4 may be involved in its mechanism of action. Ci seemed to be partially involved in propolis activities

Própolis e geoprópolis

As abelhas são observadas pelo ser humano desde a Antiguidade. Elas atuam como agentes determinantes na polinização de muitas espécies vegetais e, desse modo, desempenham papel fundamental na preservação da diversidade de plantas floríferas e asseguram a produção mundial de alimentos. Atualmente, elas também têm importância econômica, pois são essenciais para a apicultura. Neste livro, diversos especialistas apresentam novas investigações sobre o potencial biológico de dois importantes produtos dessa indústria: a própolis e a geoprópolis. A própolis é um material resinoso, produzido por abelhas africanizadas e por abelhas sem ferrão (meliponíneos) e apresenta inúmeras propriedades biológicas. A geoprópolis é produzida por abelhas indígenas ou sem ferrão e é ainda pouco conhecida pela comunidade geral. O leitor acadêmico ou leigo encontrará aqui reunidas informações sobre essas abelhas e atividades biológicas, efeitos colaterais, recomendações de uso, versões comerciais disponíveis e novas estratégias terapêuticas desses produtos

In Vitro Cytotoxic Effect of Brazilian Green Propolis on Human Laryngeal Epidermoid Carcinoma (HEp-2) Cells

Propolis is a sticky dark-colored material showing a very complex chemical composition that honeybees collect from plants. It has been used in folk medicine since ancient times, due to several biological properties, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities, among others. Its antitumor action in vivo and in vitro has also been reported, using propolis extracts or its isolated compounds. The goal of this work was to evaluate propolis's cytotoxic action in vitro on human laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma (Hep-2) cells. These cells were incubated with different concentrations of this bee product for different time periods, and morphology and the number of viable HEp-2 cells analyzed. Data showed that propolis exhibited a cytotoxic effect in vitro against HEp-2 cells, in a dose- and time-dependent way. Propolis solvent had no effects on morphology and number of viable cells, proving that the cytotoxic effects were exclusively due to propolis components. Since humans have been using propolis for a long time, further assays will provide a better comprehension of propolis's antitumor action

Influence of clove tea (Syzygium aromaticum) on body weight and biochemical parameters of rats subjected to ethanol consumption and abstinence

Clove has a large number of therapeutic properties and its tea has been used by the general population as antiinflammatory, antihyperglycemic, antimutagenic, bactericidal, and nematicidal, among others. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of clove on biochemical parameters of rats subjected to ethanol consumption and abstinence. The animals were subjected to ethanol intake before and after treatment with clove tea, according to their groups, as follows: GW received water (control); GE received 3% ethanol alone; GC received clove alone; GCE received clove for 7 consecutive days. Administration of clove tea or ethanol alone did not change serum parameters such as glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, total protein and albumin, and it did not alter weight gain although there was a significant difference in mean food consumption, which suggests that under such conditions clove tea or ethanol does not interfere with these parameters. On the other hand, administration of clove tea before or after ethanol administration led to significant changes in several parameters such as glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein and albumin. The obtained results thus suggest that prolonged ethanol intake should be avoided when clove tea is consumed daily