Effect of ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) on interleukin 8 release by human gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS) infected with Helicobacter pylori

Mucosal chemokines are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis as well as gastric adenocarcinoma as a consequence of chronic inflammation process. Interleukin 8 (IL-8) produced by infected epithelial cells plays an important role in active inflammation by the induction of neutrophil migration and activation. The aim of a study was to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of propolis from Poland (EEPP) on IL-8 release by H. pylori infected human gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS). Materials and methods: The AGS line cells was incubated with bacteria (bacteria to cell ratio was 100: 1) in the absence (control) or the presence of tested solutions of EEPP (7.5-60 mu glml) for 16 hours. The concentrations of IL-8 were determined in culture supernatants by ELISA method. Results: Incubation of AGS cells in presence of EEPP significantly suppressed IL-8 release in comparison with the control (p < 0.01). Obtained data has shown that IL-8 inhibition of EEPP was dose dependent. Additionally, 90 mu g/ml of EEPP significantly inhibited growth of H. pylori (p < 0.05). These results indicate that EEPP preparations might partially inhibit H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation by decreasing IL-8 production.