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Background: Propolis is produced by honey bees from plants, buds, and exudates and as an antiseptic is used to treat several diseases, such as acne and wounds. Objectives: Due to some difficulty in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis, the aim of this study was to evaluate the propolis extract function against Leishmania major.Methods: Different concentrations (9.375, 18.75, 37.5, 75, 150, and 300 µg/mL) of both Ethanolic Extract of Propolis (EEP) and the standard drug (Glucantime) were prepared for the in vitro model, and then applied to the fixed number of promastigotes. The promastigotes were counted after 24, 48, and 72-h treatment. Then, the viability of promastigotes was tested by MTT after 72 h of treatment. Twenty mice with cutaneous leishmaniasis were divided into four groups for in vivo model, including a positive group (treatment with Glucantime), a negative group (without treatment), and two experimental groups (treatment with EEP 1% and 4%). The sizes of the ulcers were measured at the beginning of the experiment and weekly for four weeks. Results: The in vitro model indicated that both EEP and Glucantime reduced the number of promastigotes and the difference between EEP and Glucantime was not significant at concentrations 37.5, 75, 150, and 300 µg/mL. The in vivo model demonstrated that EEP 4% and Glucantime were similar and decreased the size of ulcers more significantly than the negative control and EEP 1% (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Propolis as an herbal drug had antileishmanial activity against Leishmania major in vitro and in vivo. We suggest using it for complementary treatment.

Background: Induction of Th1 responses against tumor antigens may be a useful strategy to control malignancy. In this respect, previous studies have shown that beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists can promote cellular immune responses. Objectives: This survey was done to evaluate the beneficiary of a new immunotherapy method against breast cancer made by mixing heated 4T1 cells and propranolol, as an adjuvant. Methods: Subcutaneously injected live 4T1 cells (1 × 104) were used to induce breast cancer in six to eight-week-old female Balb/c mice. when all mice had a palpable tumor, immunotherapy was dawned. Mice in the treatment groups were vaccinated, twice at a one-week interval, with the extract of heated 4T1(1 × 105) either alone or in combination with propranolol (6 mg/kg). Negative control mice received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as the same schedule. One-half of the mice were euthanized one week after the last vaccination to investigate the immune response profile. Other animals were kept until death occurred spontaneously. Results: Combined immunotherapy with propranolol and extract of heated 4T1 had synergistic effects, causing a more desirable survival curve and slower tumor growth when compared to other tumor-bearing mice receiving only heated 4T1 or PBS. Furthermore, combined immunotherapy significantly augmented the production of IFN-γ nitric oxide production, respiratory burst, and cytotoxicity of natural killer cells in the splenocyte culture of tumor-bearing mice. Conversely, combined immunotherapy significantly regressed the production of TGF-β and IL-10 in the splenocyte population compared to cytokine production by splenocytes from other groups. Conclusions: Combined heated 4T1 cells with propranolol promote beneficial outcomes in the animal model of breast cancer.

Aims Aloe Vera is among the crucial medicinal plants, with proven anti-cancer effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of plant extracts of Aloe Vera Leaf (AVL) on the proliferation of cell lines K562 (erythroleukemia) and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs). Methods & Materials The inner parts of the plant, including the gelatinous substance, were emptied, and the outer layer was used to prepare the lyophilized extract. The extract was dissolved in DMSO. K562 cells and PBMCs were cultured with 9.375, 18.75, 37.5, 75, 150, and 300 μg/mL concentrations of AVL for 24, 48, or 72 hours. After cultivation, the IC50 was determined for the K562 and normal PBMCs, using the MTT assay (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide). Doxorubicin was used as a positive control. Findings The obtained data suggested that the viability of cells in both the leukemic cell line and normal PBMCs significantly decreased by the treatment with the extract in a dose-dependent manner; however, the AVL toxicity for PBMC was significantly more than K562. IC50 for the standard drug was also significantly less than AVL extract. Conclusion AVL possesses cytotoxic effects for K562 and PBMCs. Nevertheless, it has no selective benefits and has more cytotoxic effects on PBMCs.