Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Volume 2013, Article ID 418508, 11 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/418508
Research Article
The Inhibition of Inflammasome by Brazilian Propolis (EPP-AF)
Juliana I. Hori,1 Dario S. Zamboni,1 Daniel B. Carrão,2 Gustavo Henrique Goldman,3,4 and Andresa A. Berretta,2,3
1 Departmento de Biologia Celular, Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, FMRP/USP, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
2 Apis Flora Industrial e Comercial Ltda, Rua Triunfo, 945, 14020-670 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
3 Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n., 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
4 Laboratório Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Bioetanol—CTBE, Caixa Postal 6170, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil
Received 11 January 2013; Accepted 18 February 2013
Academic Editor: Wojciech Krol
Copyright © 2013 Juliana I. Hori et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Propolis extracts have gained the attention of consumers and researchers due to their unique chemical compositions and functional properties such as its anti-inflammatory activity. Recently, it was described a complex that is also important in inflammatory processes, named inflammasome. The inflammasomes are a large molecular platform formed in the cell cytosol in response to stress signals, toxins, and microbial infections. Once activated, the inflammasome induces caspase-1, which in turn induces the processing of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18. So, to understand inflammasomes regulation becomes crucial to treat several disorders including autoinflammatory diseases. Since green propolis extracts are able to regulate inflammatory pathways, this work purpose was to investigate if this extract could also act on inflammasomes regulation. First, the extract was characterized and it demonstrated the presence of important compounds, especially Artepillin C. This extract was effective in reducing the IL-1β secretion in mouse macrophages and this reduction was correlated with a decrease in activation of the protease caspase-1. Furthermore, we found that the extract at a concentration of 30 μg/mL was not toxic to the cells even after a 18-hour treatment. Altogether, these data indicate that Brazilian green propolis (EPP-AF) extract has a role in regulating the inflammasomes.
* THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.