Propolis immunomodulatory action in vivo on Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 expression and on pro-inflammatory cytokines production in mice

• Published in: Phytotherapy research Vol. 24; no. 8; pp. 1141 - 1146
• Main Authors: Orsatti, C.L, Missima, F, Pagliarone, A.C, Bachiega, T.F, Búfalo, M.C, Araújo, J.P. Jr, Sforcin, J.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01-08-2010; Wiley
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cytokines; Gene Expression Regulation; General pharmacology; Immune response; Immunity; Immunomodulation; Inflammation; Interleukin 6; Interleukin-1beta - immunology; Interleukin-6 - immunology; Macrophages; Macrophages, Peritoneal - immunology; Macrophages, Peritoneal - metabolism; Male; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Peritoneum; Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Phytotherapy; pro-inflammatory cytokines; Propolis; Propolis - immunology; Propolis - pharmacology; RNA - analysis; Spleen; Spleen - immunology; Spleen - metabolism; TLR2 protein; Toll-Like Receptor 2 - immunology; Toll-Like Receptor 4 - immunology; Toll-like receptors; Immunomodulation; Pharmacognosy; Toll like receptor 2; Propolis; Rodentia; Cytokine; Animal origin; Toll like receptor; Medicinal plant; Immunomodulator; In vivo; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Folk medicine; Mouse; Animal; pro-inflammatory cytokines; Plant origin; Toll-like receptors
• ISSN: 0951-418X; 1099-1573; 1099-1573
• DOI: 10.1002/ptr.3086

Propolis is a bee product and its immunomodulatory action has been the subject of intense investigation lately. The recent discovery and characterization of the family of Toll-like receptors (TLR) have triggered a great deal of interest in the field of innate immunity due to their crucial role in microbial recognition and development of the adaptive immune response. This work aimed to evaluate propolis's effect on TLR-2 and TLR-4 expression and on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6). Male BALB/c mice were treated with propolis (200 mg/kg) for three consecutive days, and TLR-2 and TLR-4 expression as well as IL-1β and IL-6 production were assessed in peritoneal macrophages and spleen cells. Basal IL-1β production and TLR-2 and TLR-4 expression were increased in peritoneal macrophages of propolis-treated mice. TLR-2 and TLR-4 expression and IL-1β and IL-6 production were also upregulated in the spleen cells of propolis-treated mice. One may conclude that propolis activated the initial steps of the immune response by upregulating TLRs expression and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mice, modulating the mechanisms of the innate immunity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.