Protective effect of brown Brazilian propolis against acute vaginal lesions caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 in mice: involvement of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Propolis has been highlighted for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate if brown Brazilian hydroalcoholic propolis extract (HPE) protects against vaginal lesions caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in female BALB/c mice. The treatment was divided in 5 days of pre-treatment with HPE [50 mg · kg(-1), once a day, intragastric (i.g.)], HSV-2 infection [10 µl of a solution 1 × 10(2) plaque-forming unit (PFU · ml(-1) HSV-2), intravaginal inoculation at day 6] and post-treatment with HPE (50 mg · kg(-1)) for 5 days more. At day 11, the animals were killed, and the in vivo analysis (score of lesions) and ex vivo analysis [haematological and histological evaluation; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities; reactive species (RS), tyrosine nitration levels, non-protein thiols (NPSH) and ascorbic acid (AA) levels] were carried out. HPE treatment reduced extravaginal lesions and the histological damage caused by HSV-2 infection in vaginal tissues of animals. HPE was able to decrease RS, tyrosine nitration, AA levels and MPO activity. Also, it protected against the inhibition of CAT activity in vaginal tissues of mice. HPE promoted protective effect on HSV-2 infected animals by acting on inflammatory and oxidative processes, and this effect probably is caused by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Laboratório de Síntese, Reatividade e Avaliação Farmacológica e Toxicológica de Organocalcogênios, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
Gláubia
G
Sartori
Ana Paula
AP
Pesarico
Simone
S
Pinton
Fernando
F
Dobrachinski
Silvane Souza
SS
Roman
Fernanda
F
Pauletto
Luiz Carlos
LC
Rodrigues
Marina
M
Prigol
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045424:Complex Mixtures / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011429:Propolis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D045424:Complex Mixtures; D011429:Propolis