Brazilian Green Propolis Inhibits Inflammatory Angiogenesis in a Murine Sponge Model

Abstract

Angiogenesis and inflammation are persistent features of several pathological conditions. Propolis, a sticky material that honeybees collect from living plants, has been reported to have multiple biological effects including anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplasic activities. Here, we investigated the effects of water extract of green propolis (WEP) on angiogenesis, inflammatory cell accumulation and endogenous production of cytokines in sponge implants of mice over a 14-day period. Blood vessel formation as assessed by hemoglobin content and by morphometric analysis of the implants was reduced by WEP (500 mg kg−1 orally) compared to the untreated group. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increased progressively in the treated group but decreased after Day 10 in the control group. Accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages was determined by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activities, respectively. Neutrophil accumulation was unaffected by propolis, but NAG activity was reduced by the treatment at Day 14. The levels TGF-β1 intra-implant increased progressively in both groups but were higher (40%) at Day 14 in the control implants. The pro-inflammatory levels of TNF-α peaked at Day 7 in the control implants, and at Day 14 in the propolis-treated group. Our results indicate that the anti-inflammatory/anti-angiogenic effects of propolis are associated with cytokine modulation.

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

“…The inhibitory effect of propolis on lymphoproliferation might be associated with the production of regulatory cytokines such as IL-10 and TGF-β ( Sforcin, 2007), as well as the anti-inflammatory/ anti-angiogenic effects of propolis could be also associated with modulation of cytokine TGF-β1   Moura et al, 2011). Recent works has demonstrate that the propolis administration over a short-term to mice affected both basal and stimulated IFN-γ production, what may be related to its anti-inflammatory properties (Pagliarone et al, 2009;Orsatti et al, 2010;Missima et al, 2010).…”

Resultados da aplicação tópica do extrato de própolis na redução da progressão da doença periodontal

“…A Propomax® testada neste estudo utiliza própolis verde derivado da Baccharis dracunculifolia (Park et al, 2002), uma planta nativa do sudeste e sul do Brasil, também conhecida como própolis verde e contém como principais componentes bioativos a artepilina C e ácidos cumarínicos que são respectivamente relacionados às suas propriedades antibacteriana e antiinflamatória (Moura et al, 2009). O efeito antiinflamatório é obtido com modulação das citocinas e enzimas, supressão da produção de prostaglandinas, leucotrienos, histamina e TGF-β1 (Moura et al;2009;Galvão et al, 2007).…”

“…O efeito antiinflamatório é obtido com modulação das citocinas e enzimas, supressão da produção de prostaglandinas, leucotrienos, histamina e TGF-β1 (Moura et al;2009;Galvão et al, 2007). Apresentando 11% de concentração de extrato seco da própolis, sua atividade antimicrobiana possui uma acentuada atividade contra bactérias Gram-positivas e contra Candida albicans, independente do extrato ser alcoólico ou não (Rezende et al, 2006).…”

Quantificação de fenóis, flavonoides totais e atividades farmacológicas de geoprópolis de Plebeia aff. Flavocincta do Rio Grande do Norte

“…Contudo, com a persistência do processo inflamatório, se inicia a fase dos efeitos colaterais capazes de promover efeitos maléficos ao organismo (Robbins et al 2009). O uso de cremes ou extratos de própolis tem sido amplamente testado na dermatologia no tratamento de feridas abertas, queimaduras e ulceras externas, com resultados promissores, por apresentar propriedades anti--inflamatórias (Moura et al 2011, Pessolato et al 2011.…”