Immunological effect of propolis in E. coli infected rats

Ayman S. Farid, Khaled M. M. Farrah, and Ghada A. Mousa

Abstract

This study was undertaken to elucidate the immunostimulant effects of propolis in experimentally induced microbial infection in rats via evaluating leukocytes count and cytokines (TNFα, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-4), immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM), and leukocyte phagocytic activity. One hundred male Wister rats aging about 5 weeks and weighing about 170-200 gm. rats were divided into five groups as follows: Group 1: control group: consists of 20 male rats served as a control received sterile saline injection. Group 2: propolis: consists of 20 male rats and were given 300 mg/kg body weight propolis extract orally once daily for 16 days. Group 3: E. coli (Infected): consists of 20 male rats, which were injected intra-peritoneal with E. coli. Group 4: Propolis + E. coli-infected: consists of 20 male rats, which were given propolis extract orally for 2 weeks then injected intra-peritoneal with E. coli. Group 5: E. coli + propolis: consists of 20 male rats, which were injected intra-peritoneal with E. coli then given propolis for 16 days. Leukogram showed that E. Coli-Infected group had significant leukocytosis and granulocytosis after 2, 4, 8 and 16 days’ post-infection when compared with control, while, there was a significant lymphocytosis after 4 days’ postinfection. Propolis + E. coil group showed significant decrease in leukocytes and granulocytes when compared with E. coli infected group. E. coli group showed significant increases in TNF-α and IL-1β, significant decrease in IL-4 after 2 and 16 days when compared with control. On the other hand, Propolis + E. coli group induced significant decreases in TNF-α and IL-1β when compared with E. coli infected group, While E. coli + propolis group induced significant decreases in TNF-α after and IL-lβ after 16 days. E. Coli-Infected group showed significant decrease in IgM when compared with control. While, Propolis + E. coli group was found to induce significant increase in IgM when compared with E. coli infected group. Phagocytic % and phagocytic index showed significant decrease in phagocytic % and phagocytic index in E. coli group. On the other hand, Propolis + E. coli and E. coli + propolis groups showed a significant increase in phagocytic % and phagocytic index when compared to E. coli infected group. Therefore, it is concluded that propolis had significant immunostimulant effect in rats infected with E. coli.

Key words

E. Coli, propolis, TNF-α, IL-1β, Phagocytic %