The effects of Ethanol Extract of Propolis (EEP) on the experimentally induced Candida keratitis in rabbits

AA, Ahangari; A, Ownagh; A, Tehrani; A, Tukmechi

Volume 69, Issue 1 (4 2011) Tehran Univ Med J 2011, 69(1): 22-28 | Back to browse issues page

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AA A, A O, A T, A T. The effects of Ethanol Extract of Propolis (EEP) on the experimentally induced Candida keratitis in rabbits. Tehran Univ Med J 2011; 69 (1) :22-28
URL: http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-272-en.html

The effects of Ethanol Extract of Propolis (EEP) on the experimentally induced Candida keratitis in rabbits

Ahangari AA

, Ownagh A ^*

¹, Tehrani A

, Tukmechi A

1- , ownagh@yahoo.com

Abstract: (7342 Views)

Background: Propolis (bee glue) is a resinous substance obtained from bee hives living on various plant sources. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) on the experimentally induced Candidial keratitis in rabbits. Methods: The alcoholic extract of propolis was prepared by 80% ethyl alcohol. After suppressing the immune system of 24 male rabbits, experimental Candida albicans keratitis was induced in the animals under local anesthesia and sterile conditions. The animals were later divided into four groups including the control or glycerin group and a nystatin and two 500 and 1000µg/ml EEP groups. Treatment continued for 21 days and after sacrificing the animals by humane methods, histopathological samples of the rabbits’ eyes were prepared. Results: Keratitis was developed in the eyes of all rabbits a week after the yeast inoculation. In the control group in which animals received glycerin, keratitis persisted until day 21. Clinical signs of keratitis disappeared in the Nystatin and 1000µg/ml EEP groups after 14 and 21 days, respectively. The clinical signs of keratitis partially ameliorated in the animals receiving 500µg/ml EEP. Histopathological examination revealed no differences between groups receiving nystatin or 1000µg/ml EEP. Conclusion: It is concluded that, ethanol extract of propolis could completely treat Candida albicans keratitis in 1000µg/ml concentrations. This extract can be used as a safe antifungal agent against Candida albicans and it is a good substitute for synthetic antifungal agents like nystatin.

Keywords: Candida albicans, ethanol, extract, propolis, keratitis, nystatin, rabbit

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