Propolis increases neuronal count in hippocampal area CA1 and prefrontal cortex in stressed rats

Abstract

Background <br />Stress induces neuronal cell damage in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Propolis has a neuroprotective effect that can inhibit apoptosis and decrease neuronal cell count. This study aimed to determine the effect of propolis on neuronal cell count in hippocampal area CA1 and prefrontal cortex in Sprague Dawley rats with induced stress.<br /><br />Methods<br />A study of laboratory experimental design was conducted involving 24 male Sprague-Dawley Rattus norvegicus. The animals were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e. controls (K), and stress groups P1, P2 and P3. Controls did not receive treatment, stress group (P1) received stress treatment, groups P2 and P3 received stress and propolis at 100 and 200 mg/kgBW, respectively. Stress and propolis were given for 14 days, followed by termination. The number of neurons in the hippocampal area CA1 and prefrontal cortex were counted. One way ANOVA was used to analyze the data.<br /><br />Results <br />The neuronal count in the hippocampal area CA1 and prefrontal cortex in the stress group (P1) was lower than in groups K, P2 and P3. There were significant differences in the neuronal count of the hippocampal area CA1 between P1 and P3 and P1 and K (p=0.019) and also in the neuronal count of the prefrontal cortex between P1 and P2, P3 and K (p=0.002).<br /><br />Conclusions <br />This study strongly suggest that propolis inhibits the decrease in neuronal count in in the hippocampal area CA1 and prefrontal cortex of Sprague Dawley rats with induced stress. The present study suggests a potential neuroprotective effect of propolis in the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders.

Can Propolis Be a Useful Adjuvant in Brain and Neurological Disorders and Injuries? A Systematic Scoping Review of the Latest Experimental Evidence

“…Propolis reduced the level of corticosterone and adenocorticotropic hormones in stressed and depressed animals [ 71 , 74 ]. Apoptosis of neurons in the brain regions such as hippocampus and prefrontal cortex was also inhibited by propolis [ 72 , 73 ]. In addition, it modulated the expression of inflammatory markers such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, kynurenine (KYN) levels, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase activity,5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and glucocorticoid receptors [ 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 ].…”

Propolis inhibited Bax expression and increased neuronal count of hippocampal area CA1 in rats receiving sodium nitrite

“…This condition is consistent with previous studies showing that propolis inhibits the decrease in neuronal count in area CA1 of the hippocampus and the cortex prefrontalis in rats with induced stress. (12) Propolis may inhibit oxidative stress with increased activity of antioxidant enzymes in rats that were induced with 6-hydroxydopamin to trigger Parkinson's disease. (9) Propolis contains caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE) as antioxidant, that may inhibit neurotoxicity and neuronal degeneration in the cerebrum and cerebellum as a result of exposure to ethanol.…”

“…(11) A previous study had evaluated the effect of propolis on the neuronal count in the hippocampus. (12) Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a phenolic chemical compound present in numerous plants and is extracted from honeybee hive propolis. (13) The study of Wang et al (14) states that CAPE may inhibit the apoptosis of neurons as a result of sevoflurane exposure.…”

Neuroprotective effect of South Sulawesi propolis on neurogenesis in primary cultures of rat cerebral cortical neurons

“…(8) Propolis contains chrysin, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), and caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) that have neuroprotective effects. (9) Previous studies proved that green propolis from Brazil can inhibit apoptosis in SH-SY5Y neuronal cell culture (a human neuroblastoma cell) exposed to staurosporine by inhibiting caspase-3 and apoptosis through an intrinsic pathway. (10) Propolis extract reduced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production in cell line cultures of pheochromocytoma PC12 due to H 2 O 2 exposure, thereby showing that propolis extract has a protective effect on mitochondria and neuronal cell membranes.…”

“…(10) Propolis extract reduced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production in cell line cultures of pheochromocytoma PC12 due to H 2 O 2 exposure, thereby showing that propolis extract has a protective effect on mitochondria and neuronal cell membranes. (9) In the neurological and neurodegenerative disease models, namely Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy, propolis also showed potential therapeutic benefits. Propolis was demonstrated to reduce amyloid fibrillation and reduce the impact of amyloid accumulation.…”