Brazilian green propolis exerts anti-inflammatory effects on monocytes from women with early- and late-onset preeclampsia

OBJECTIVES: Propolis is a bee-derived product traditionally used in folk medicine to treat inflammatory diseases. Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder that occurs during pregnancy and presents systemic inflammation, leading to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The present study evaluated the immunomodulatory role of a Brazilian green propolis extract on monocytes from women with early-onset (EOPE) and late-onset (LOPE) preeclampsia. METHODS: Peripheral blood was collected from 16 women with EOPE, 16 with LOPE, and 20 normotensive pregnant women. Monocytes were treated with Brazilian green propolis extract. The expression of p65NF-κB, ERK1/2, the CD192 receptor, and cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, and levels of heat shock protein (Hsp70), high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and heme-oxigenase-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. KEY FINDINGS: PE groups, especially EOPE, showed higher plasma levels of HMGB1, Hsp70, and MCP-1. Monocytes from PE women exhibited increased expression of p65NF-κB, ERK1/2, and CD192, as well as proinflammatory cytokines, accompanied by reduced IL-10 expression. Propolis treatment significantly reduced inflammatory markers and upregulated IL-10 expression. CONCLUSION: These findings support its potential as an adjunctive therapy to modulate the inflammatory profile in women with preeclampsia, particularly in those with EOPE disease.