Antiinflammatory effect of topically applied propolis extract in carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema

The antiinflammatory effect of an ointment containing propolis extract (3%–7%) was examined using carrageenan‐induced hind paw edema in rats. Treatment with the ointment inhibited the edema moderately, and the inhibition was significant at 5% and 7%. Additionally, the effect of the ointment on chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) was investigated using the agarose plate method. Migration of PMNs toward zymosan‐treated serum was inhibited in the presence of 5% propolis ointment. These results demonstrate that topical application of propolis extract is effective in inhibiting carrageenan‐induced rat hind paw edema, and its inhibitory effect on the chemotaxis of PMNs may also contribute to the antiinflammatory effect. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.