Immunomodulatory Effects of Propolis and its Components on Basic Immune Cell Functions

Abstract

Propolis is a product of the vital activity of the honey bee Apis mellifera. Bees produce propolis by mixing substances gathered from budding plants, flower buds and resinous exudates. They thus produce a material suitable for closing gaps, embalming dead insects within the beehive and protection from invasion by microorganisms and insects. This activity of propolis results from its composition. Raw propolis is typically composed of 50 % plant resins, 30 % waxes, 10 % essential and aromatic oils, 5 % pollens and 5 % other organic substances [1]. Propolis possessed a variety of biological and pharmacological effects, such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumour, antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory. However, propolis could not be used as a raw material, so it must be purified by extraction to remove the inert material and preserve the polyphenolic fraction, which is primarily responsible for its activity [1,2]. Generally, ethanol is the best solvent for propolis preparation, but other solvents such as ethyl ether, water, methanol and chloroform could also be used for extraction and identification of propolis constituents [3]. More than 300 different compounds have been identified in propolis, including phenols, tannins, polysaccharides, terpenes, aliphatic acids, esters, aromatic acids, fatty acids, aldehydes, amino

Induction of liver fibrosis by CCl4 mediates pathological alterations in the spleen and lymph nodes: The potential therapeutic role of propolis

“…Though the accurate role of propolis action in immune-cells remain simple, flavonoids are capable of stimulating B and T-cells ( Wolska et al, 2019 ).…”

Immune-Boosting, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Food Supplements Targeting Pathogenesis of COVID-19

“…Propolis produced by honeybees and known to have a broad spectrum of biological properties, including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, dermatoprotective, laxative, anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory activity ( 82 ). The immunomodulatory activity is attributed to flavonoids and some phenolic acids mainly caffeic acid phenethyl esters and artepillin C (3,5-diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid).…”

“…Propolis exhibits immunomodulatory effects on a broad spectrum of immune cells mediated by the modulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 and MAPK signaling pathways. Further, it also modulates nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and NF κB signaling pathways ( 82 , 83 ). Propolis also stimulates greater antibody production, suggesting that it could be used as an adjuvant in vaccines.…”

Physicochemical and antimicrobial assessment of Iranian Propolis gathered in Qazvin province

“…Briefly, the propolis extract serially diluted twofold in a 96-well microplate. First, 100 L double serial dilution (1,2,8,16,32,64,128,256, 512 mg/ml) of Propolis extract was prepared in Muller Hinton broth tubes. Then to each tube 5 × 10 5 CFU / ml per milliliters of broth from microbial suspension of Staphylococcus aureus: S.aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa: P. aeruginosa equals 0.5 McFarland was added.…”