Modulatory effects of propolis samples from Latin America (Brazil, Cuba and Mexico) on cytokine production by human monocytes.
OBJECTIVE
Propolis has been used in folk medicine in different regions of the world including Latin America. Propolis is a resinous mixture of substances collected by honey bees from several botanical sources, and its composition contains a rich chemical variety, depending on the geographical area and plant sources. Our aim was to compare the modulatory effect of propolis samples from three different countries of Latin America (Brazil, Cuba and Mexico) on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-10, respectively) by human monocytes.


METHODS
Cells were incubated with propolis for 18 h at 37°C. Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method, and cytokine production was determined by ELISA.


RESULTS
All samples did not affect monocyte viability. Brazilian propolis stimulated both TNF-α and IL-10 production by monocytes. Cuban propolis stimulated TNF-α and inhibited IL-10 production, while Mexican sample exerted the opposite effect, inhibiting TNF-α and stimulating IL-10 production. The major compounds found in Brazilian, Cuban and Mexican propolis samples were artepillin C, isoflavonoids and pinocembrin, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Brazilian, Cuban and Mexican propolis contained different components that may exert pro- and anti-inflammatory activity depending on concentration, what may provide a novel approach to the development of immunomodulatory drugs containing propolis.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
Bruno J
BJ
Conti
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
Karina B
KB
Santiago
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
Michelle C
MC
Búfalo
Food and Pharmacy Institute, Havana University, Havana, Cuba.
Yahima F
YF
Herrera
Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.
Efrain
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3680-2235
E
Alday
Department of Chemistry-Biology, University of Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.
Carlos
C
Velazquez
Unidad de Servicios de Apoyo en Resolución Analítica, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.
Javier
J
Hernandez
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
José M
JM
Sforcin
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001938:Brazil; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003462:Cuba; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008800:Mexico; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011429:Propolis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D011429:Propolis
cytokine; monocyte; propolis