Immunomodulatory effect of propolis Trigona spp. in mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Infection with virulent strains of T. gondii induces excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increases fatality. Propolis has potential as an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator.

This study aimed to evaluate the pro-inflammatory cytokines response of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-17, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in mice infected with T. gondii RH strain and treated with ethanol extract of Trigona bee propolis (EEP) from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Indonesia.

A total of 36 mice were divided into six groups with six mice per group. Group 1 was considered as a negative control; mice were not infected and not treated while in groups 2 to 6, mice were infected with 100 T. gondii (tachyzoites). Mice in group 2 were infected but not treated whereas in groups 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively, were treated orally with Cotrimoxazole 40 mg/kg body weight, EEP 1 mg, EEP 2 mg, and EEP 4 mg, the day after infection for 3 days. All mice under study were euthanized following ethical considerations with prior approvals, on the fifth day post-infection and spleens were taken to observe cytokines using flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed with one-way ANOVA and Duncan Multiple Range Test (you may add any statistical tool/software if used?? Like R version?, SPSS, version? If you used any of these/others)?

EEP (1-4 mg) increased CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and CD11b+ cells in infected mice, though not significantly (p > 0.05), unlike cotrimoxazole, which showed significant increases (p < 0.05). EEP at 2 mg and 4 mg (G5 and G6) reduced IL-2 and IL-17 in CD4+ T cells, and at 4 mg (G6) in CD8+ T cells. IL-10 expression increased in CD11b+ cells at 1 mg and in CD4+ T cells at 4 mg (G6).

Propolis ethanol extract from Trigona spp. bees acts as an immunomodulator and anti-inflammatory in T. gondii-infected mice, supporting its potential as an anti-toxoplasmosis agent.