The effect of a unique propolis compound (Propoelix™) on
clinical outcomes in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever
Infect Drug Resist. 2014; 7: 323–329.
Background
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne virus belonging to the
family Flaviviridae. It is an old virus that has re-emerged globally over the
past 20 years and now causes a global burden of 50 million infections per year
across approximately 100 countries. Despite this, there is no safe vaccine
available, and therapy is largely supportive. Its pathogenesis is multifaceted
and currently still poorly understood, leading to a lack of disease-specific therapy.
Propolis is a natural antiviral and anti-inflammatory product derived from the
saps of plants and mixed with the saliva of honeybees. Propoelix™ is a uniquely
potent and water-soluble extract of propolis containing high concentrations of
anti-inflammatory compounds like caffeic acid phenethyl ester.
Objective
The primary objective is to determine the effectiveness of a
unique propolis extract (Propoelix™) on the clinical course of patients with
dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). The secondary objective is to examine the
effect of Propoelix™ on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in patients with
DHF.
Methods
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was
conducted at the Department of Internal Medicine, Gatot Soebroto Central Army
Hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia, from May 2012 to July 2013. Sixty-three
patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the trial. Patients
were randomized to receive either two capsules of Propoelix™ 200 mg three times
a day or placebo daily for 7 days. Clinical and laboratory variables of both
groups, including the anti-inflammatory marker TNF-α, were investigated.
Patients were deemed technically fit for discharge if their platelet counts had
recovered and exceeded 100,000/μL but were all observed as inpatients for 7
days.
Results
There were 31 patients in the Propoelix™ treatment group and
32 patients in the placebo group. Platelet counts in the Propoelix™-treated
group showed a trend toward a faster recovery by day 3 of admission and became
statistically significant by day 6 (101.42±48.79 vs 80.78±43.35 [103/mL],
P=0.042) and day 7 (146.67±64.68 vs 107.84±57.22 [103/mL], P=0.006). Patients
treated with Propoelix™ had a significantly greater decline in TNF-α levels on
day 7 of therapy compared with patients in the placebo group (P=0.018). They
also had a significantly shorter length of hospitalization compared with those
in the placebo group (4.69±0.78 days vs 5.46±1.16 days, P=0.012).
Conclusion
Propoelix™ appears to hasten the improvement in platelet
counts and TNF-α levels and shortens the duration of hospitalization in
patients with DHF.
No comments:
Post a Comment