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Updated: Jul 24, 2026
Experimental Endocarditis Model of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA in Rat
Published on: June 4, 2012
Potential role of Saudi red propolis in alleviating lung damage induced by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus
Amna Ali Saddiq1, Azza Mostafa Mohamed2
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Al Faisaliah , King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to explore the protective impact of aqueous extract of Saudi red propolis against rat lung damage induced by the pathogenic bacteria namely methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC 6538 strain. Infected rats were received a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of bacterial suspension at a dose of 1 X 10(6) CFU / 100g body weight. Results showed that oral administration of an aqueous extract of propolis (50mg/100g body weight) daily for two weeks to infected rats simultaneously with bacterial infection, effectively ameliorated the alteration of oxidative stress biomarker, malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as the antioxidant markers, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), in lungs of infected rats compared with infected untreated ones. Also, the used propolis extract successfully modulated the alterations in proinflammatory mediators, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in serum. In addition, the propolis extract successfully modulated the oxidative DNA damage and the apoptosis biomarker, caspase 3, in lungs of S aureus infected rats compared with infected untreated animals. The biochemical results were supported by histo-pathological observation of lung tissues. In conclusion, the beneficial prophylactic role of the aqueous extract of Saudi red propolis against lung damage induced by methicillin resistant S aureus may be related to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antiapoptosis of its active constituents.
Insights
Saudi red propolis extract shows protective effects against MRSA-induced lung damage in rats. It helps reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, supporting its use as a natural therapeutic agent.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant threat, causing severe lung infections.
- Oxidative stress and inflammation are key pathological mechanisms in bacterial lung damage.
- Natural compounds like propolis are investigated for their therapeutic potential against bacterial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the protective effects of Saudi red propolis aqueous extract against MRSA-induced lung injury in a rat model.
- To assess the impact of propolis on oxidative stress biomarkers, inflammatory mediators, DNA damage, and apoptosis in infected lungs.
Main Methods:
- Rats were infected with MRSA (ATCC 6538 strain) via intraperitoneal injection.
- Oral administration of Saudi red propolis aqueous extract (50mg/100g body weight) was given daily for two weeks.
- Biochemical assays measured malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), oxidative DNA damage, and caspase 3.
- Histopathological examination of lung tissues was performed.
Main Results:
- Propolis extract significantly ameliorated oxidative stress by normalizing MDA, GPx, and SOD levels in rat lungs.
- The extract modulated pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, VEGF) in serum and reduced oxidative DNA damage and caspase 3 activity in lung tissues.
- Histopathological findings supported the biochemical results, showing reduced lung tissue damage in propolis-treated rats.
Conclusions:
- Aqueous extract of Saudi red propolis demonstrates significant prophylactic and therapeutic benefits against MRSA-induced lung damage.
- The protective mechanisms involve antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-apoptotic activities of propolis constituents.
- Saudi red propolis holds potential as a natural therapeutic agent for managing bacterial lung infections.
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