Propolis: Nature's Defense for Stronger Immunity in HIV Patients

Taking 500 milligrams (mg) of propolis every day can help those living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, suggested a report published in the journal Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Propolis consumption by asymptomatic HIV-individuals: Better redox state? A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Go to source). The scientists discovered that the propolis group, as opposed to the placebo group, had a significant drop in plasma levels of malondialdehyde, a hallmark of oxidative stress. Total antioxidant capacity increased modestly in the same group, indicating direct free radical combat.

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Addressing Premature Aging in People Living with HIV

"Although people living with HIV have excellent life expectancy thanks to existing therapies, one of the problems still faced is the question of premature aging—between 10 and 20 years compared with the non-infected population. They suffer from immunosenescence as immunity deteriorates rapidly, with early onset of diabetes, high blood pressure and neoplasia," said biologist Karen Ingrid Tasca, first author of the article.

This rapid aging is caused by persistent immune system activation and chronic inflammation. Tasca claims that oxidative stress "goes hand in hand" with these two issues and must thus be managed.

"The oxidative stress caused by the virus and anti-retroviral therapy has very adverse effects on these patients," she explained. "Interventions that minimize these effects are required to try to reduce these pathological processes and improve the patient's quality of life and survival. Among several natural products available for this purpose, propolis, which is a resin, has this potential, thanks to its recognized anti-oxidative, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties."

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Unveiling the Potential of Propolis for People Living with HIV

Professor José Maurício Sforcin, the last author of the article, has studied the effects of propolis for almost 30 years at IBB-UNESP. "I've investigated the immunomodulating activity of propolis to increase our knowledge of its action mechanisms in cells involved in immunity. A great deal of research on the biological activities of propolis has been done in vitro, in cultured cells, and also in vivo, in experiments involving animal models, especially mice. More clinical trials are needed to reveal the potential benefits for human health of this resin produced by bees," Sforcin said.

Despite the evidence of health benefits, research has never before been done into the effects of propolis on people living with HIV. "There were in vitro findings showing that some components of propolis could potentially inhibit viral replication and studies of people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, but at the time we started, there was nothing in the literature on the effects of propolis for this specific group, and we realized our research was urgently needed," Tasca said.

Previously published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, the researchers revealed that propolis reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in HIV patients. The researchers discovered an increase in the proliferation of CD4+ T cells, which are thought to be the virus's primary target, as well as an increase in the production of the transcription factor Foxp3, a marker of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are critical immune system gatekeepers and inflammatory modulators.

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Propolis: Boosting Immune Response in Asymptomatic HIV Patients

"The results show propolis to be an alternative to improve the immune response and reduce inflammation in asymptomatic patients. Infection by HIV leads to intense dysregulation of the immune system, loss of cellular functionality and chronic inflammation. Persistent immune system activation and inflammation require attention as they are potential determinants of morbidity and mortality not associated with AIDS, even in patients undergoing treatment and with adequate viral suppression," said Fernanda Lopes Conte, second author of the article and a researcher at IBB-UNESP. Conte earned a Ph.D. in pathology from the Botucatu Medical School (FMB-UNESP).

The researchers tracked the food and health behaviors of the 40 subjects (half of whom got propolis) for 90 days to verify data accuracy and that the results were not impacted by any behavioral changes. Ana Claudia de Moura Moreira Alves investigated this context. The researchers noticed no adverse events in the propolis-treated group and a rise in serum magnesium levels, an element that aids in homeostasis. The nutritional, metabolic, and biochemical profiles of the subjects did not alter throughout the study, despite repeated examinations of their diet and bioimpedance.

To prioritize the participants' health and safety, the study sample only included patients who were receiving anti-retroviral therapy, had undetectable viremia levels, and had the optimal CD4+ T cell count. More study is needed, according to the researchers, before propolis may be used in beneficial therapies for patients with comorbidities or therapeutic failure.

Reference:

1. Propolis consumption by asymptomatic HIV-individuals: Better redox state? A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37004329/)

Source-Medindia