Propolis May Help Treat Psoriasis

Inhibitory effect of a propolis on Di-n-Propyl Disulfide or n-Hexyl salicilate-induced skin irritation, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in mice

Fitoterapia, 2013 Dec 23. pii: S0367-326X(13)00316-X

PURPOSE:

Thermal imaging has been utilized, both preclinically and clinically, as a tool for assessing inflammation. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by hyperkeratosis, dermal inflammatory infiltrate and increased angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to assess usefulness of thermography in psoriatic lesion regression after topically treatment with bee propolis, recognized as potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.

METHODS:

We monitored the inflammation process induced by irritants such as n-Hexyl salicilate (HXS) or Di-n-Propyl Disulfide (PPD by hystopatological assement of skin, thermographic scanning, total number of inflammatory cells in peritoneal cavity, differential analysis of cells in peritoneal cavity, macrophage spreading index, haematological and biochemical parameters, frequencies of micronucleated reticulocytes, lipid peroxidation and glutathione assay in skin.

RESULTS:

Topically applied ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) with HXS or PPD reduced the lipid peroxidation in skin and total number of inflammatory cells in skin and peritoneal cavity, functional activity of macrophages, the number of micronuclei in mouse peripheral blood reticulocytes and enzymatic activity of ALP and AST.

CONCLUSION:

These results demonstrate that topical application of EEP may improve psoriatic-like skin lesions by suppressing functional activity of macrophages and ROS production. Taken together, it is suggested that EEP can safely be utilized in the prevention of psoriasis-related inflammatory changes without causing any toxic effect.