title: Brazilian propolis antileishmanial and immunomodulatory effects.
abstract: The antileishmanial and immunomodulatory effects of propolis collected in Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil, were evaluated in Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis experimental infection. The antileishmanial effect of propolis on promastigote forms was verified by reducing growth and by promoting morphologic alterations observed by scanning electron microscopy. In in vitro immunomodulatory assays, macrophages were pretreated with propolis and then infected with L. (V.) braziliensis. In vivo, supernatants from liver cells and peritoneal exudate of BALB/c mice pretreated with propolis and infected with Leishmania (10(7)/mL promastigotes) were collected, and TNF-α and IL-12 were measured by ELISA. Macrophages incubated with propolis showed a significant increase in interiorization and further killing of parasites. An increased TNF-α production was seen in mice pretreated with propolis, whereas IL-12 was downregulated during the infection. In conclusion, Brazilian propolis showed a direct action on the parasite and displayed immunomodulatory effects on murine macrophages, even though the parasite has been reported to affect the activation pathways of the cell. The observed effects could be associated with the presence of phenolic compounds (flavonoids, aromatic acids, and benzopyranes), di- and triterpenes, and essential oils found in our propolis sample.
authors.affiliation: Department of Science Pathology, Londrina State University (UEL), 86057-970 Londrina, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Suelen Santos
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Graciele da Silva
authors.initials: Gda S
authors.lastname: Thomé
authors.forename: Allan Henrique Depieri
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Cataneo
authors.forename: Milena Menegazzo
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.forename: Ionice
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Felipe
authors.forename: Célia Guadalupe Tardeli de Jesus
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Maria Angélica Ehara
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Gilce Maria
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Piana
authors.forename: José Maurício
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sforcin
authors.forename: Wander Rogério
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Pavanelli
authors.forename: Ivete
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Conchon-Costa