How Propolis Prevents Nicotine-Related Lung Damage

Abstract

Objectives: The authors aimed to investigate the protective effects of propolis extract, against lung damage caused by nicotine.

Methods: The study was performed on 14 healthy male Wistar albino rats. The animals were randomly divided into 2 groups: group 1, nicotine group, control group (n=7), and group 2, the study group, nicotine+propolis extract group (n=7). In light of the studies conducted, 10 mg/kg of nicotine was administered intraperitoneally to the control and study groups daily for 8 weeks. At the same time, propolis extract (200 mg/kg/day) was given orally through gavage to the study group daily for 8 weeks. Histologically, bronchiole damage, hemorrhage, vascular congestion, and cellular infiltration in the interalveolar area were evaluated.

Results: The bronchial damage, hemorrhage, vascular congestion, and cellular infiltration in the interalveolar area were statistically significantly lower in the nicotine+propolis extract group compared with the nicotine group. The lungs from the nicotine group, intense cellular inflammation was noted, particularly in the peribronchial and perivascular areas, along with significant damage to the bronchial epithelium, hemorrhage, and vascular congestion in the peribronchial and interalveolar areas. However, in the nicotine+propolis extract (200 mg/kg/day) group, damage and inflammation were reduced, with alveolar structures showing nearly typical histologic architecture with thin walls.

Conclusion: Propolis could protect against nicotine-induced pulmonary damage by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and suppressing the expression of iNOS and TNF-α. The authors recommend performing new studies on humans to evaluate the protective effects of propolis on humans' nicotine-induced pulmonary damage.

Keywords: Air pollution; bronchial damage; lung injury; nicotine; propolis extract.