Inactivated herpes simplex virus-1 vaccine formulated in aqueous and alcoholic extracts of propolis boosts cellular and IgG responses.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, the adjuvant activity of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of propolis was examined on the inactivated herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

BALB/C mice were administered with inactivated (HSV-1; the KOS strain) plus alcoholic and aqueous extracts, followed by assessment of the cellular and humoral immune responses.

RESULTS

Alcoholic and aqueous extracts, as an adjuvant, revealed a significant increase in lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses versus the HSV-1 group. In addition, HSV-1 plus alcoholic extract showed a remarkable increase in IFN-γ cytokine and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio. On the other hand, both alcoholic and aqueous extracts in the HSV-1 vaccine suppressed the IL-4 cytokine response as compared with the HSV-1 vaccine. In addition, HSV-1 plus alcoholic extract showed a significant increment in IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b isotypes as compared with the HSV-1 vaccine.

CONCLUSION

Propolis extracts seem to modulate the immune response against inactivated HSV-1 model and can be used as a suitable vaccine adjuvant or a component of a complex adjuvant against infectious diseases.