Ahmed G Hegazi
National Research Center Egypt
Title: Cytokines in localized plaque psoriasis treated with by some bee products
Biography
Biography: Ahmed G Hegazi
Abstract
Background: Several therapeutic modalities have been used for treatment of psoriasis. Apitherapy entails the medical use of bee products as honey, bee venom and propolis.
Objectives: To evaluate bee venom honey and propolis, as a new therapeutic modality for localized plaque psoriasis.
Materials & Methods: Eighty patients were randomized into four treatment groups: Group-I: Received intradermal bee venom twice weekly, Group-II: Received topical propolis and honey ointment in Vaseline base, Group-III: Received oral propolis capsules 3 gm/day and group-IV: Received intradermal bee venom, oral and topical honey and propolis, Group-V: Received drugs. Response to treatment was assessed by calculating PASI score and measuring serum interleukins: IFN-γ, interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) was detected before and after 3 months of treatment.
Results: A significant reduction in both PASI score and serum level of IL-1β and IL 6 was observed in all groups. Changes in PASI score, IFN-γ, interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) were significantly reduced in groups I, IV and V compared to groups II and III. All treatments were tolerable with minimal adverse effects.
Conclusions: Intradermal bee venom and oral propolis are safe and effective treatments of localized plaque psoriasis with minimal tolerable side effects intradermal bee venom has superior results than oral or topical honey with propolis when used alone or in combination with propolis.