Effect of Propolis on Immunotoxicity Induced by Phenol Subchronic Use in Adult Albino Rats

Phenol is naturally found in some foods and animal wastes. It is also used as a disinfectant, insecticide and in some pharmaceutical products. Immunotoxicity is considered to be one of the harmful health effects of phenol. Propolis is a mixture of beeswax and resins; it has an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effect. This study investigates effect of propolis on immunotoxicity induced by phenol subchronic use in rats by assessment of the serum immunoglobulins, total and differential blood cells count, immune organs weight and histopathological changes of thymus, spleen and lymph nodes. Eighty adult albino rats were divided into four groups; each group consisted of twenty rats. The control group received water, the second group received phenol only, third group received propolis and the fourth group received propolis with phenol for 90 days via gastric gavage. Phenol Subchronic use led to immunotoxicity manifestations such as a decrease in the serum immunoglobulins and blood cells count, disturbance in the differential white blood cells count, decrease in the rats body, thymus and spleen weight, and histopathological changes in thymus, spleen and lymph nodes that were improved by propolis administration. Concurrent use of propolis with phenol ameliorates phenol-induced immunotoxicity.