INFLUENCE OF CINNAMIC ACID ON LYMPHOCYTE-PROLIFERATION, CYTOKINE RELEASE AND KLEBSIELLA INFECTION IN MICE

The effect of a complex of propolis constituents, cinnamic acid and L- lysine, on host defence mechanisms was investigated. After intraperito neal (ip) application of cinnamic acid lysine complex (CN . Ly) to mic e at a dose of 3 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days prior to inoculation wit h Klebsiella pneumoniae, a protective effect was observed. The action of CN . Ly was associated with its ability to provoke proliferation of thymic and splenic lymphocytes and to augment mitogen-induced prolife ration, and the release of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-2 (IL- 2). In all experiments, a solution of L-lysine in a concentration equi valent to the lysine content in the complex was used for comparison. T he results indicated that free lysine acted in a mitogen-like manner p redominantly on T-lymphocytes. In the complex, lysine played the role of a carrier and exhibited a less pronounced effect.