title: Immunomodulatory efficacy of ethanol extract of propolis on tumor-bearing mice with disseminated candidiasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was aimed at investigating the effect of propolis on immunosurveillance by measuring the levels of serum interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ in tumor-bearing mice with disseminated candidiasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ethanol extract of propolis was selected for this study. Balb/C female mice were infected with Candida albicans (C. albicans) and inoculated with spontaneous mouse mammary tumor (SMMT). The serum levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) were assessed by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mice were treated daily with propolis solution (100mg/kg, 0.1 mL, orally) for 3 days before IV challenge with C. albicans and SC challenge with SMMT and continued for 10 days. The rates of survival and tumor growth of understudy mice were investigated as well. The levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-17 cytokines in culture supernatants were determined by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean tumor size was significantly increased in tumor-bearing mice infected with C. albicans (16.98 ± 0.49 mm(2)) as compared to other mice groups (P<0.05). The results showed a significant decline of IL-4 and IL-10 levels after propolis administration to tumor-bearing mice infected with C. albicans (53.41 pg/mL, 156.81 pg/mL and 63.45 pg/mL) (P < 0.05). The increment of TNF-α (433.85 pg/mL) and IFN-γ (120.43 pg/mL) levels were also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data revealed that propolis has remarkable immunomodulatory effect, which provides a scientific validation for the popular use of this natural substance, and further investigation will help to understand propolis usefulness during immunosuppressive conditions.
authors.affiliation: Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, PO Box 14155-6453, Azadi street, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: Khosravi@ut.ac.ir.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Khosravi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shokri
authors.affiliation: Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, PO Box 14155-6453, Azadi street, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Darvishi
authors.affiliation: Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, PO Box 14155-6453, Azadi street, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taghavi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002176:Candida albicans; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D015674:Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011429:Propolis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000431:Ethanol; D011429:Propolis
keywords: Cancer; Candida albicans; Candidose disséminée; Disseminated candidiasis; Immunomodulation; Propolis