Propolis Protects Endotoxin Induced Acute Lung and Liver Inflammation Through Attenuating Inflammatory Responses and Oxidative Stress.

Propolis is a natural bee product, and it has many effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihepatotoxic, and anticancer activity. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential in vivo anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties of propolis extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in rats. Forty-two, 3- to 4-month-old male Sprague Dawley rats were used in six groups. LPS (1 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to rats in inflammation, inflammation + propolis30, and inflammation+propolis90 groups. Thirty milligram/kilogram and 90 mg/kg of propolis were given orally 24 h after LPS injection. After the determination of the inflammation in lung and liver tissues by 18F-fluoro-deoxy-d-glucose-positron emission tomography (18FDG-PET), samples were collected. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), nitric oxide (NO), and DNA fragmentation were determined. The decrease of MDA levels in inflammation + propolis30 and inflammation + propolis90 groups was determined compared to the inflammation group in lung and liver tissues. The increase of SOD% inhibition in inflammation + propolis90 group was determined in liver, lung, and hemolysate compared to the inflammation group. Increased CAT activities in inflammation + propolis30 and inflammation + propolis90 groups were observed in liver tissue and hemolysate compared to inflammation group. In lung tissue, NO levels were lower in inflammation group compared to the control group, but DNA fragmentation levels were higher. 18F-FDG uptake of tissues in inflammation + propolis30 and inflammation + propolis90 groups was decreased compared to the inflammation group. In conclusion, the data of this study indicate that the propolis application may serve as a potential approach for treating inflammatory diseases through the effect of reducing inflammation and free oxygen radical production.

Anti-inflammatuar and anti-oxidative effects of Nigella sativa L.: 18FDG-PET imaging of inflammation.

Inflammation has an important role in many diseases such as cystic fibrosis, allergies and cancer. The free radicals produced during inflammation, can induce gene mutations and posttranslational modifications of cancer related proteins. Nigella sativa L. (N. sativa) is herbaceous plant and commonly used as a natural food. It has many pharmacological effects including antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor, analgesic, antipyretic activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatuar and anti-oxidant activity of N. sativa in acute inflammation. Thus we used the experimental lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced model. Intraperitoneal LPS 1 mg/kg was administered to groups. N. sativa (500 mg/kg) and essential oil (5 ml/kg) were given orally to treatment groups, after 24-h of intraperitoneal LPS-injection. To determine the lung inflammation, 18F-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose (0.8 ml/kg) was administrated under the anesthesia before the 1 h of PET-scanning. After the FDG-PET, samples were collected. Lung and liver 18F-FDG-uptake was calculated. Serum AST, ALT, LDH and hcCRP levels were determined and liver, lung and erythrocyte SOD, MDA and CAT levels were measured. Liver and lung NO and DNA fragmentation levels were determined. MDA levels were decreased in treated inflammation groups whereas increased in untreated inflammation group. SOD and CAT activities in untreated inflammation group were significantly lower. According to the control group, increased AST and ALT levels were found in untreated inflammation group. 18F-FDG uptake of inflammation groups were increased when compare the control group. We found increased 18F-FDG uptake, DNA fragmentation and NO levels in LPS-induced inflammation groups. We conclude that, in LPS-induced inflammation, N. sativa have therapeutic and anti-oxidant effects.