Propolis consumption by asymptomatic HIV-individuals: Better redox state? A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Propolis is a natural product has many biological properties of clinical interest, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Considering that people living with HIV/aids (PLWHA) on effective combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) present early aging due to an intense immune activation, inflammation, and redox imbalance, propolis consumption could offer a benefit to such patients. This double-blind longitudinal study evaluated whether Brazilian green propolis pills intake (500 mg/day for three months) would decrease the oxidative stress of virological suppressed HIV-individuals. To compare each group (propolis, n = 20 versus placebo, n = 20) in both moments (M0, before and M1, after the intervention), the following markers were assessed: plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonylation, total oxide nitric, total antioxidant capacity (TAP), superoxide dismutase, catalase, and NFkB and NRF2 gene expression. Data were analyzed using Poisson, Gamma distribution and ANOVA followed by Tukey-Kramer. The groups were homogeneous regarding age, gender, time of diagnosis/ treatment, cART scheme, CD4+ T cell count, and no changes were observed in the diet food, or patients' lifestyles. A decreased MDA concentration was seen in the propolis group (M0 = 0.24 ± 0.13, M1 = 0.20 ± 0.10 protein nmol/mg; p = 0.005) as well as a slight but non-significant increase of TAP (M0 = 49.07 ± 13.26, M1 = 52.27 ± 14.86%; p = 0.06). One may conclude that propolis promoted a lower lipid peroxidation and improved the antioxidant system, suggesting that its use may be beneficial to PLWHA in an attempt to contain the intense inflammatory and oxidant activity.

Propolis anti-inflammatory effects on MAGE-1 and retinoic acid-treated dendritic cells and on Th1 and T regulatory cells.

Background: Propolis exhibits huge potential in the pharmaceutical industry. In the present study, its effects were investigated on dendritic cells (DCs) stimulated with a tumor antigen (MAGE-1) and retinoic acid (RA) and on T lymphocytes to observe a possible differential activation of T lymphocytes, driving preferentially to Th1 or Treg cells. Methods: Cell viability, lymphocyte proliferation, gene expression (T-bet and FoxP3), and cytokine production by DCs (TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6 and IL-1ß) and lymphocytes (IFN-γ and TGF-ß) were analyzed. Results: MAGE-1 and RA alone or in combination with propolis inhibited TNF-α production and induced a higher lymphoproliferation compared to control, while MAGE-1 + propolis induced IL-6 production. Propolis in combination with RA induced FoxP3 expression. MAGE-1 induced IFN-γ production while propolis inhibited it, returning to basal levels. RA inhibited TGF-ß production, what was counteracted by propolis. Conclusion: Propolis affected immunological parameters inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and favoring the regulatory profile, opening perspectives for the control of inflammatory conditions.

Apoptosis-related gene expression induced by Colombian propolis samples in canine osteosarcoma cell line.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common bone tumor in canines and humans. This study aimed to assess the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Colombian propolis samples on a canine OSA cell line (OSCA-8) by evaluating the expression of BCL-2, BAX, CASPASE 9, CASPASE 8, and TNFR1 genes involved in the apoptosis pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After treating the cells with five Colombian propolis samples (Usm, Met, Fus, Sil, and Caj), we evaluated cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Early and late apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide. Furthermore, the effects of three selected samples on gene expression were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The Colombian propolis samples reduced OSCA-8 cell viability and increased LDH release. All samples induced apoptosis significantly and upregulated BCL-2 and CASPASE 8 expression. Usm and Sil increased BAX expression, Met and Sil induced CASPASE 9 expression, and Usm increased TNFR1. CONCLUSION: Colombian propolis samples exhibited cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on canine OSA cells, and CASPASE 8 upregulation indicated apoptosis induction by the extrinsic pathway.

Propolis from southeastern Brazil produced by Apis mellifera affects innate immunity by modulating cell marker expression, cytokine production and intracellular pathways in human monocytes.

OBJECTIVES: Propolis is a bee-made product used for centuries due to its diverse biological properties, including its immunomodulatory action. This work aimed at investigating whether propolis may affect monocyte functions challenged with retinoic acid (RA), B subunit of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (EtxB), human melanoma-associated antigen-1 (MAGE-1) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Monocytes from healthy donors were treated with the stimuli separately or in the presence of propolis. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay, cell marker expression was assessed by flow cytometry, cytokine production by ELISA, gene expression by RT-qPCR. KEY FINDINGS: Propolis alone maintained TLR-2, TLR-4, HLA-DR, CD40 and CD80 expression in the monocytes; however, its combination with either MAGE-1 or LPS decreased CD40 expression triggered by the stimuli. Propolis maintained RA action on cell marker expression. Propolis inhibited TNF-α (with either EtxB or MAGE-1) and IL-6 (with either RA or MAGE-1), and increased IL-10 (with MAGE-1) production. Propolis downmodulated LC3 expression induced by LPS. It also induced a lower NF-kB expression than control cells and its combination with RA induced a higher expression than the stimulus alone. CONCLUSIONS: Propolis potentially affected innate immunity by downmodulating the monocytes pro-inflammatory activity.

Microbiological control and antibacterial action of a propolis-containing mouthwash and control of dental plaque in humans.

Propolis is a bee product with several biological properties. This study aimed at investigating a propolis-containing mouthwash, its organoleptic properties, microbial contamination and its antibacterial action in vitro. This mouthwash was assessed in vivo to control dental plaque in humans. The presence of microorganisms was analyzed and the minimum inhibitory concentration against Streptococcus mutans was determined. A comparative study was done in vivo using propolis, chlorhexidine, and propolis plus chlorhexidine in lower concentrations for 14 days. Dental plaque was analyzed by the Patient Hygiene Performance (PHP) index. The odontological product was yellow, cloudy, free of microbial contamination, and exerted an inhibitory action in vitro. Individuals who used a propolis-containing mouthwash for 14 consecutive days in combination or not to chlorhexidine showed a similar PHP index to chlorhexidine alone. The product exerted an antibacterial action in vitro and in vivo, exhibiting a positive action in the control of dental plaque.

Phenolic compounds alone or in combination may be involved in propolis effects on human monocytes.

OBJECTIVES: Propolis is a natural product with a complex chemical composition. Its isolated compounds exert biological activities; however, its synergistic effects are unknown. The involvement of phenolic acids (caffeic - Caf, dihydrocinnamic - Cin and p-coumaric - Cou) alone or in combination was investigated in the action of propolis in human monocytes. METHODS: Cell viability was analysed by MTT assay; TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); cell markers expression by flow cytometry; colony-forming units were counted to assess the microbicidal activity; and H2 O2 production was analysed by colorimetric assay. KEY FINDINGS: Treatments did not affect monocytes viability. Propolis and combinations containing Caf enhanced TNF-α production by resting cells. Propolis, Cin, Cou and Caf + Cin stimulated IL-6 production. All treatments upregulated IL-10. In LPS-stimulated cells, treatments downregulated IL-6 and maintained TNF-α and IL-10 production. A lower TLR-2 expression was seen than propolis. Caf + Cin enhanced TLR-4 expression. Propolis, Caf and Caf + Cin stimulated H2 O2 production, whereas propolis, Cin, Cou, and Caf + Cin + Cou induced a higher fungicidal activity. Cin and Cin + Cou increased the bactericidal activity of human monocytes. CONCLUSION: Propolis activated human monocytes, and acids were involved differently in propolis activity.

Immunomodulatory/inflammatory effects of geopropolis produced by Melipona fasciculata Smith in combination with doxorubicin on THP-1 cells.

OBJECTIVES: Geopropolis (GEO) in combination with doxorubicin (DOX) reduced HEp-2 cells viability compared to GEO and DOX alone. A possible effect of this combination on the innate immunity could take place, and its effects were analysed on THP-1 cell - a human leukaemia monocytic cell line used as a model to study monocyte activity and macrophage activity, assessing cell viability, expression of cell markers and cytokine production. METHODS: THP-1 cells were incubated with GEO, DOX and their combination. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay, cell markers expression by flow cytometry and cytokine production by ELISA. KEY FINDINGS: GEO + DOX did not affect cell viability. GEO alone or in combination increased TLR-4 and CD80 but not HLA-DR and TLR-2 expression. GEO stimulated TNF-α production while DOX alone or in combination did not affect it. GEO alone or in combination inhibited IL-6 production. CONCLUSIONS: GEO exerted a pro-inflammatory profile by increasing TLR-4 and CD80 expression and TNF-α production, favouring the activation of the immune/inflammatory response. GEO + DOX did not affect cell viability and presented an immunomodulatory action. Lower concentrations of DOX combined to GEO could be used in cancer patients, avoiding side effects and benefiting from the biological properties of GEO.

Immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory effects of a propolis-containing mouthwash on human monocytes.

Propolis is a bee product used in folk medicine to improve health and prevent inflammatory diseases. It has attracted the attention of researchers from the odontological field lately, reducing inflammation resulting from surgical procedures and as an antimicrobial agent in the control of bacterial plaque. Thus far, no side-effects that might compromise oral health have been observed. Chlorhexidine is an antimicrobial agent widely used as an antiseptic, but side-effects restrict its use. This work investigated the effects of an odontological product containing propolis in combination with chlorhexidine in lower concentrations on human monocytes. Cell marker expression, the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and the bactericidal activity of these cells against Streptococcus mutans were evaluated. Data showed that the combination of propolis and chlorhexidine may favor the recognition of antigens by monocytes, slightly activates the NF-κB signaling pathway, and increases the bactericidal activity of human monocytes against S. mutans Also, the combination played a role in anti-inflammatory cytokine production, which can be beneficial in the treatment of periodontal diseases. These results may have implications for the development of odontological products with immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory action, and may have further-reaching implications for the pharmaceutical industry.