Brazilian green propolis improves immune function in aged mice

Abstract

Aging weakened innate and adaptive immunity both quantitatively and qualitatively. Some components in propolis could stimulate immune function in young animals or cultured immune cells in vitro. Few studies had been carried out in the aged. The present study was to evaluate the effects of Brazilian green propolis supplementation on the immunological parameters in aged mice. Eighty Kunming mice, aged 15–18 months, were randomly assigned to the control and three experimental groups supplemented with different doses (83.3, 157.4 and 352.9 mg/kg.bw respectively) of Brazilian green propolis. The experiment lasted for 4 weeks. Contents of total polyphenol, flavonoid, cinnamic acid and artepillin-C in Brazilian green propolis were analyzed. Splenic NK cytotoxic, T lymphocyte proliferation and antibody generation cells, as well as the phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages, ear swelling, and serum contents of IgG, IgM, hemolysin and cytokines were measured. After 4 weeks of treatment, the phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages was enhanced in 157.4 mg/kg and 352.9 mg/kg groups. Ear swelling increased in all propolis treatmented groups. Antibodies specific to sheep erythrocytes were higher in the groups receiving 157.4 and 352.9 mg/kg.bw than that of control group. IgG level dramatically increased in the groups receiving 83.3 and 157.4 mg/kg.bw in comparison to the control group. These results indicate that administration of Brazilian green propolis have a positive effect on innate and adaptive immunity in aged mice.

Biological Properties and Therapeutic Applications of Propolis

“…With regard to the humoral immune response, several authors reported that propolis and its constituents increased antibody production using different models and antigens (Scheller et al ., ; Park et al ., ; Sforcin et al ., ; Chu, ; Fischer et al ., ; Gao et al ., ; Yang et al ., ). These data strongly suggest the adjuvant capacity of propolis in association with vaccines.…”

Anticancer activity of the supercritical extract of Brazilian green propolis and its active component, artepillin�C: Bioinformatics and experimental analyses of its mechanisms of action

“…Besides these, over 150 constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, esters, terpenoids, steroids, amino acids and cinnamic acid derivatives have been identified (3), and are hence considered as popular pharmacological research material (4). A broad spectrum of biological activities identified in propolis include antitumor (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12), anti-inflammatory (13)(14)(15), anti-bacterial (16)(17)(18), anti-viral (16,19,20) and anti-fungal (16) activities. Propolis is used in cosmetic products, such as body lotions, ointments, face creams and in functional food in various forms, such as tablets, capsules, toothpaste and mouthwash preparations (21).…”

Preliminary Studies of the Immunomodulator Effect of the Propolis Trigona spp. Extract in a Mouse Model

“…such as limonene, able to work activates macrophages. Several other studies have shown that some ingredients in propolis, such as caffeic acid phenethyl ester, cinnamic acid, and artepillin C, is also able to activate macrophages in vitro and in vivo [23]. Literature data indicate that the essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus, which contains p-cymene, which is a member monoterpene, is also capable of inducing macrophage response [24] and p-cymene can also stimulate phagocytosis by binding to the receptor TLR4 [25].…”