Propolis action in controlling activated T cell producing TNF-α and IFN-γ in diabetic mice

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the suppressor effect of propolis in controlling activated T cells, also T cells expressing TNF-α and IFN-γ. Those molecules have an important role to generate acute inflammation in diabetes mellitus (DM) condition. Material and Methods: This study was done by in vivo experiment on streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Mice were classified into DM group (diabetic mice model without propolis ethanolic extract); propolis treatment group doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight; normal mice group. Effect of each treatment was observed after 14 days by flow cytometry analysis. The absolute numbers of CD4⁺CD62L^-, CD4⁺TNF-α⁺, and CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺ were assessed from splenic cells. Results: The data showed that administration of propolis ethanolic extract for 14 days significantly decreased the number of activated T cell. Propolis also decreased the expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ by T cells. Administration of all doses of propolis caused decreased blood glucose level compared to baseline levels. Propolis administration at a dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg could suppress the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: Propolis decreased the number of activated T cells expressing TNF-α and IFN-γ. It also inhibited naive T cells to activate and prevented hyperglycemia.