Propolis improves immunity and alleviates inflammation in people with HIV

A study carried out by a biologist from the Botucatu Institute of Biosciences, from the Paulista State University (IBB-Unesp), showed that 500 milligrams (mg) of propolis daily for people living with the HIV virus, resulted in a significant reduction in the concentration of a marker of oxidative stress. In this same group, a slight increase in total antioxidant capacity was observed, reflecting in the fight against free radicals. According to biologist Karen Ingrid Tasca, one of the problems faced by the population living with the virus that causes AIDS is premature aging, which can last from ten to 20 years, due to a more rapid deterioration of immunity, in addition to the early development of comorbidities. such as diabetes, hypertension and tumours. This premature aging process occurs because, in addition to the immune system being constantly activated, these patients have chronic inflation. “The oxidative stress caused by the virus and by the antiretrovirals themselves has a great impact on these patients. In an attempt to reduce these pathological processes and improve quality of life and survival, there is a need for interventions that minimize these effects. Among the various existing natural products, propolis, which is a resin, has this potential, as it has recognized antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.” A previous study showed that the inflammatory parameters of HIV carriers decreased, the cells that are considered the main target of the virus increased, as well as the marker of cells responsible for regulating inflammation. According to one of the authors of the study, biomedical Fernanda Lopes Conte, propolis can be an alternative to improve the immune response and reduce inflammation in asymptomatic patients: “HIV infection induces intense dysregulation of the immune system, causing loss of cell function and chronic inflammation.” General data Both studies were developed with support from the Research Support Foundation of the State of São Paulo (FAPESP). According to the Ministry of Health, in 2021, 40,800 cases of HIV and 35,200 cases were reported, according to last year’s data. According to the most recent HIV/AIDS Epidemiological Bulletin, since the first reported case in the national territory, in 1980, until June 2022, 1,088,536 cases of AIDS have already been detected. In 2021 alone, more than 11,000 deaths were recorded in the Mortality Information System (SIM) due to the disease. The standardized mortality rate is 4.2 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, an index that has dropped by 26.4% between 2014 and 2021. Brasília (DF) – Propolis Verde Extract. Photo: Lula Marques/Agência Brasil – juca.varella Data from the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reinforce that the epidemic still needs to be fought. In the year 2021, more than 750,000 men worldwide have acquired HIV. That year, they accounted for 51% of new virus infections. At least 1.5 million people became newly infected with HIV in the same year of 2021. In total, this number has already exceeded 84 million people infected since the beginning of the epidemic.

Agência Brasil