The protective role of topical propolis on experimental keratitis via nitric oxide levels in rabbits

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties of propolis in the treatment of experimental Staphylococcus aureus keratitis. Twenty young New Zealand white rabbits were used in this experiment. Staphylococcus aureus were given by intrastromal injection to 16 rabbits and 4 rabbits were used as control group (Group 1). Group 2 was treated with phosphate-buffered solution drops; Group 3 was administered ethanolic extract of propolis drops; Group 4 received topical ciprofloxacin drops; Group 5 was treated with topical ciprofloxacin drops along with ethanolic extract of propolis drops. The eyes were examined by slit lamp to assess corneal opacity. And then, corneas were removed to determine nitric oxide (NO) levels and count bacteria. Corneas were also evaluated histologically. Corneal NO concentration in group 5, treated with a combination of propolis and ciprofloxacin was determined significantly lower (10.0+/- 1.8 micromol/g wet tissue) than in Group 4, treated with ciprofloxacin (24.0+/- 3.1 micromol/g wet tissue), from Group 3, treated with propolis (15.6+/- 1.8 micromol/g wet tissue), and treated with PBS (44.7+/- 7.8 micromol/g wet tissue). There were significantly fewer bacteria in eyes that received propolis plus ciprofloxacin than in eyes treated with ciprofloxacin (p = 0.0001) or propolis (p = 0.0001) or eyes treated with PBS (p = 0.0001). The light microscopic examination revealed that the control group showed normal corneal morphology. In the nontreated group, sections of the stromal infiltration revealed the presence of inflammatory cells, which were diffusely distributed (p < 0.05). Administrations of ciprofloxacin plus propolis resulted in a significantly reduced histological damage with fewer bacterial inoculation of the corneal stroma in comparison with the other groups (p < 0.05). Based on these findings, we suggest that ethanolic extract of propolis has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties for S. aureus keratitis in rabbits.

In vitro antileishmanial activity of Adana propolis samples on Leishmania tropica: a preliminary study

“…Numerous studies have showed various pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoal anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antitumor, etc. (Banskota et al 2001;Duran et al 2006;Oksuz et al 2005;Onlen et al 2007).…”

Mechanisms of action underlying the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of propolis: a brief review

“…In fact, various biological properties have been demonstrated and attributed to different types of propolis, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-infl ammatory, anesthetic, wound healing, immunomodulatory, antiproliferative and anticariogenic activities (Dobrowolski et al, 1991;Ivanovska et al, 1995;Moura et al, 1999;Kujumgiev et al, 1999;Isla et al, 2001;Chen et al, 2004;Simões et al, 2004;Duran et al, 2006;Medic-Saric et al, 2009;Araujo et al, 2010;Sforcin, 2007;Libério et al, 2009;Pagliarone et al, 2009, Paulino et al, 2003.…”

GC-MS analysis and antileishmanial activities of two Turkish propolis types

“…Natural products play a highly significant role in new agents searching for the treatment of various diseases (Duran et al 2006;Oksuz et al 2005;Allahverdiyev et al 2004). …”

“…Propolis is a useful substance in medicine. In the literature, propolis has various pharmacological activities such as antiparasitic (Duran et al 2008), antibacterial (Onlen et al 2007a, b;Duran et al 2006;Oksuz et al 2005;Onlen et al 2007a, b), antifungal (Siqueira et al 2009), antiviral (Shimizu et al 2008), antiinflammatory (McLennan et al 2008, immunostimulatory (Cuesta et al 2005), and anti-carcinogenetic activities (Diaz-Carballo et al 2008).…”