Inactivated herpes simplex virus-۱ vaccine formulated in aqueous and alcoholic extracts of propolis boosts cellular and IgG responses

Objective(s): In this study, the adjuvant activity of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of propolis was examined on the inactivated herpes simplex virus-۱ (HSV-۱).Materials and Methods: BALB/C mice were administered with inactivated (HSV-۱; the KOS strain) plus alcoholic and aqueous extracts, followed by assessment of the cellular and humoral immune responses. Results: Alcoholic and aqueous extracts, as an adjuvant, revealed a significant increase in lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses versus the HSV-۱ group. In addition, HSV-۱ plus alcoholic extract showed a remarkable increase in IFN-γ cytokine and IFN-γ/IL-۴ ratio. On the other hand, both alcoholic and aqueous extracts in the HSV-۱ vaccine suppressed the IL-۴ cytokine response as compared with the HSV-۱ vaccine. In addition, HSV-۱ plus alcoholic extract showed a significant increment in IgG۱, IgG۲a, and IgG۲b isotypes as compared with the HSV-۱ vaccine.Conclusion: Propolis extracts seem to modulate the immune response against inactivated HSV-۱ model and can be used as a suitable vaccine adjuvant or a component of a complex adjuvant against infectious diseases.

Keywords:

Adjuvant , HSV-۱ , Propolis , Th۱ , Vaccine potency