Immunomodulation produced by a green propolis extract on humoral and cellular responses of mice immunized with SuHV-1

Despite recent technological advances in vaccine production, most the vaccines depend on the association with adjuvant substances. This work evaluated the adjuvant capacity of an ethanol extract of green propolis associated to inactivated Suid herpesvirus type 1 (SuHV-1) vaccine preparations. Mice inoculated with SuHV-1 vaccine plus aluminum hydroxide and 5 mg/dose of propolis extract presented higher levels of antibodies when compared to animals that received the same vaccine without propolis. The use of SuHV-1 vaccine with propolis extract alone did not induce significant levels of antibodies, however it was able to increase the cellular immune response, evidenced by the increase in the expression of mRNA to IFN-γ. Besides, propolis increased the percentage of protected animals against challenge with a lethal dose of SuHV-1. The effect of green propolis extract on the humoral and cellular immune responses may be exploited for the development of effective vaccines.