Protective effect of propolis against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide in vitro peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Abstract

Introduction

Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular antioxidant activity. Overproduction of ROS causes oxidative damage to major macromolecules, alters homeostasis and leads to the generation of different pathologies. At present, there is no totally effective treatment to counteract these diseases involved with oxidative stress, so it is necessary to investigate new treatment alternatives that suppress the ROS generated. One promising alternative is the use of plant extracts, which have demonstrated a potent antioxidant effect. Efficient cells for the study of pathological diseases related to reactive oxygen species are T lymphocytes, which share systems with neurons such as: the dopaminergic system, death signaling and survival. In vitro lymphocytes are an optimal model for the evaluation of oxidative mechanisms.

Objective

To determine the protective effect of ethanolic extract of propolis against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in human lymphocytes in vitro, by means of the cell viability test with trypan blue.

Results

Anova test shows that the concentrations of 0.0225 and 0.045 mg/mL of ethanolic extract of propolis, present protective activity against cell damage caused by H₂O₂.

Conclusion

This study proposes the ethanolic extract of propolis as a potential pharmacological, useful for treatments against autoinmune disorders.