The action of cinnamic acid isolated from propolis on receptors expression, cytokines production and fungicidal activity of human monocytes

• Grant number: 10/13279-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2011
• End date: July 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Ethnopharmacology
• Principal Investigator: José Maurício Sforcin
• Grantee: Bruno Jose Conti
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 12/00923-9 - The action of cinnamic acid isolated from propolis on receptors expression, cytokines production and fungicidal activity of human monocytes, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Propolis, a resinous product made by honeybees from exudates collected from different parts of the plants, has shown plenty of therapeutic properties, such as immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, among others, despite its chemical heterogeneity. This chemical complexity of propolis is a consequence of the local flora used as a vegetal source for its production, making it difficult to identify the substance responsible for its therapeutic activities. Cinnamic acid and its derivatives contribute significantly to the biological effects of propolis. Thus, this study aims to investigate the possible mechanisms of this compound, especially in relation to the immune system. Human monocytes will be obtained from healthy donors, and a possible cytotoxicity of cinnamic acid after incubation with these cells will be assessed. The effects of cinnamic acid on the expression of cell surface markers (Toll-like receptors, MHC-II, CD80) and on the production of pro-and anti-inflammatory (TNF-a, IL-10) cytokines will be analyzed, correlating these parameters with the activity of monocytes against Candida albicans. This project will investigate the effects of cinnamic acid in the initial events of immune response, aiming not only to assess its involvement in the mechanisms of action of propolis but also to investigate its biological potential, what is of interest to the pharmaceutical industry and for the advance of basic research. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CONTI, BRUNO JOSE; BUFALO, MICHELLE CRISTIANE; GOLIM, MARJORIE DE ASSIS; BANKOVA, VASSYA; SFORCIN, JOSE MAURICIO. Cinnamic Acid Is Partially Involved in Propolis Immunomodulatory Action on Human Monocytes. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013. (10/00997-7, 10/13279-5)

CONTI, BRUNO JOSE; BUFALO, MICHELLE CRISTIANE; GOLIM, MARJORIE DE ASSIS; BANKOVA, VASSYA; SFORCIN, JOSE MAURICIO. Cinnamic Acid Is Partially Involved in Propolis Immunomodulatory Action on Human Monocytes. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, v. 2013, p. 7-pg., 2013-01-01. (10/13279-5, 10/00997-7)