title: Phenolic compounds alone or in combination may be involved in propolis effects on human monocytes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Propolis is a natural product with a complex chemical composition. Its isolated compounds exert biological activities; however, its synergistic effects are unknown. The involvement of phenolic acids (caffeic - Caf, dihydrocinnamic - Cin and p-coumaric - Cou) alone or in combination was investigated in the action of propolis in human monocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cell viability was analysed by MTT assay; TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); cell markers expression by flow cytometry; colony-forming units were counted to assess the microbicidal activity; and H2O2production was analysed by colorimetric assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatments did not affect monocytes viability. Propolis and combinations containing Caf enhanced TNF-α production by resting cells. Propolis, Cin, Cou and Caf + Cin stimulated IL-6 production. All treatments upregulated IL-10. In LPS-stimulated cells, treatments downregulated IL-6 and maintained TNF-α and IL-10 production. A lower TLR-2 expression was seen than propolis. Caf + Cin enhanced TLR-4 expression. Propolis, Caf and Caf + Cin stimulated H2O2production, whereas propolis, Cin, Cou, and Caf + Cin + Cou induced a higher fungicidal activity. Cin and Cin + Cou increased the bactericidal activity of human monocytes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Propolis activated human monocytes, and acids were involved differently in propolis activity.
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, UNESP, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors: Eliza de Oliveira
authors: EO
authors: Cardoso
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, UNESP, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors: Bruno José
authors: BJ
authors: Conti
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, UNESP, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors: Karina Basso
authors: KB
authors: Santiago
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, UNESP, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors: Fernanda Lopes
authors: FL
authors: Conte
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, UNESP, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors: Lucas Pires Garcia
authors: LP
authors: Oliveira
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, UNESP, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors: Rodrigo Tavanelli
authors: RT
authors: Hernandes
authors: Flow Cytometry Laboratory, Botucatu Blood Center, Medical School, UNESP, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors: Marjorie de Assis
authors: MA
authors: Golim
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, UNESP, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors: José Maurício
authors: JM
authors: Sforcin
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D056705:Apitherapy; D002109:Caffeic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003374:Coumarins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010666:Phenylpropionates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011429:Propolis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D002109:Caffeic Acids; D003374:Coumarins; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010636:Phenols; D010666:Phenylpropionates; C495342:TLR2 protein, human; C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; C035253:3-phenylpropionic acid; D011429:Propolis; C030123:coumarin; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C040048:caffeic acid
keywords: human monocyte; immunomodulation; phenolic acid; propolis