Parasite Killing of Leishmania (V) braziliensis by Standardized Propolis Extracts

Abstract

Treatments based on antimonials to cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) entail a range of toxic side effects. Propolis, a natural compound widely used in traditional medical applications, exhibits a range of biological effects, including activity against infectious agents. The aim of this study was to test the potential leishmanicidal effects of different propolis extracts against Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes in vitro. Stationary-phase L. (V) braziliensis promastigotes were incubated with medium alone or treated with dry, alcoholic, or glycolic propolis extract (10, 50, or 100 μg/mL) for 96 h. Our data showed that all extracts exhibited a dose-dependent effect on the viability of L. (V) braziliensis promastigotes, while controlling the parasite burden inside infected macrophages. Dry propolis extract significantly modified the inflammatory profile of murine macrophages by downmodulating TGF-β and IL-10 production, while upmodulating TNF-α. All three types of propolis extract were found to reduce nitric oxide and superoxide levels in activated L. braziliensis-infected macrophages. Altogether, our results showed that propolis extracts exhibited a leishmanicidal effect against both stages of L. (V) braziliensis. The low cell toxicity and efficient microbicidal effect of alcoholic or glycolic propolis extracts make them candidates to an additive treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Antileishmanial Effects of Propolis Against Leishmania major In Vitro and In Vivo

“…The in vivo model showed the decreased size of ulcers by both EEP4% and Glucantime more significantly than the negative control and EEP1% (P < 0.05). It has been confirmed by other studies (4,10). Similar to the present study, a study by Nilforoushzadeh et al (4) found that propolis had high efficacy against leishmania in vivo but there were some differences between these studies, including the lack of negative control, the method of analysis, the propolis concentration, the different durations of using the standard drug and propolis, and the lack of in vitro model.…”

“…Besides, it was reported that Korean propolis induced macrophages by producing interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, and nitric oxide; macrophages are able to control Leishmania amazonensis inside itself (8,9). The study by Reboucas-Silva et al demonstrated that propolis induced-inflammatory imbalance involving cytokines and oxidative response which are the characteristic symptoms of leishmaniasis (10). The in vivo model showed the decreased size of ulcers by both EEP4% and Glucantime more significantly than the negative control and EEP1% (P < 0.05).…”

The Strong Anti-Kinetoplastid Properties of Bee Propolis: Composition and Identification of the Active Agents and Their Biochemical Targets

“…There were reduced levels of superoxide and nitric oxide in activated macrophages infected with L. braziliensis, as well as increased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), following treatment by the alcoholic and glycolic extracts; these are all antioxidant responses. However, the inflammatory profile of macrophages was significantly modified by the dry propolis extract via upmodulating TNF-α, while downmodulating the production of IL-10 and TGF-β [145], changes that lead to a greater activation of the cells.…”

Brazilian green propolis hydroalcoholic extract as a therapeutic adjuvant to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis

“…(2) stimulation of the expression of ROS, especially superoxide dismutase, which play an important role in the macrophage activation and in reduction of intracellular promastigotes (Novais et al, 2009;Rebouças-Silva et al, 2017). Rebouças-Silva et al (2017) also demonstrated that ethanolic and glycolic propolis extracts reduced the number of promastigotes in murine macrophages by regulating the oxidative stress response; (3) stimulation of the expression of IL-4 and IL-7 and downregulation of IL-10 expression. IL-4 is responsible for controlling the exacerbated inflammation, and it inhibits IL-10 production, a cytokine associated with the leishmaniasis progression (Dos Santos Thomazelli et al, 2017;Salhi et al, 2008;Yao et al, 2005).…”

“…According to Miranda et al (2019), Baccharis dracunculifolia DC is the source of green propolis from Brazil. In Brazil and Japan, the Brazilian green propolis (BGP) has been extensively used not only as a therapeutic adjuvant to prevent diseases but also as an ingredient in food and beverages (Rebouças-Silva et al, 2017). The BGP shows different phytochemical substances, including phenolic substances (p-coumaric acid, artepillin C, and baccharin, among others), which act against several pathogenic organisms (Correa et al, 2019;Devequi-Nunes et al, 2018;Scatolini et al, 2018).…”