Abstract
Introduction: Propolis is used in Poland as an active ingredient of some drugs administered externally, dietary supplements and cosmetics. According to the literature, propolis is a non-toxic and safe substance, although it may cause allergic contact dermatitis. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the allergenic properties of propolis and Balsam of Peru. Material and methods: The study was conducted according to the OECD Guideline for testing of chemicals-Skin sensitization with use of Guinea pig maximization test (GPMT). Guinea pigs have similar sensitivity to allergens as human body. Sensitization properties of propolis were tested in comparison with sensitization properties of Balsam of Peru because of the possibility of cross-reaction between those two substances. Results: The skin of guinea pigs in the propolis group showed no visible change compared to the control group during the first (48 h) and second observation (72 h). The skin of guinea pigs from Balsam of Peru group showed discrete erythema in only one case at the first observation (8.33% of the animals). During the second observation, no visible changes were observed compared to the control group. Conclusions: Guinea pig maximization test showed no sensitizing properties of propolis and weak sensitizing properties of Balsam of Peru in concentration of 5%.
Highlights
Propolis is used in Poland as an active ingredient of some drugs administered externally, dietary supplements and cosmetics
The skin of guinea pigs in the propolis group showed no visible change compared to the control group during the first (48 h) and second observation (72 h)
The skin of guinea pigs in propolis group shows no visible changes in comparison with the control group during the first and the second observation
Summary
Propolis is used in Poland as an active ingredient of some drugs administered externally, dietary supplements and cosmetics. Material and methods: The study was conducted according to the OECD Guideline for testing of chemicals-Skin sensitization with use of Guinea pig maximization test (GPMT). The skin of guinea pigs from Balsam of Peru group showed discrete erythema in only one case at the first observation (8.33% of the animals). The study conducted on guinea pigs by Petersen in 1977 indicated that propolis is a strong allergen because it sensitized 19 out of 25 animals (76% of propolis group) [10]. Today, it occurs that the method use by Petersen-GPMT of Magnusson and Kligman [11] may cause false positive results. Data indicate that Balsam of Peru can sensitize two to three times more frequently than propolis [13]
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