Abstract
Background: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a naturally occurring polyphenolic concentrated in propolis of honeybee hives. CAPE has been shown various physiological and pharmacologic properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of CAPE on proinflammatory markers in growing rats by performing the moderate swimming test. Methods: A total number of 21 male Wistar albino rats were separated into three groups (n = 7): sedentary: negative control group; exercise: positive control group received vehicle orally and exercise + CAPE: CAPE treated group: treated with CAPE (20 mg/kg) orally 30 min before exercise, for 5 days. The animals were left free to swim in the tank, 20 minutes/ day for 5 days. At 24 hours after finishing the experiment, rats were euthanised and blood was collected to analyze the level of serum interleukin IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Results: Growing rats subjected to the moderate swimming test and in those treated with CAPE showed a lower level of TNF-alpha compared to the negative control. More interestingly, the one-way ANOVA data demonstrated a decreased level of proinflammatory IL-6 in the CAPE-treated group compared to the negative control. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that short-term administration of CAPE may modulate proinflammatory cytokine profiles during moderate exercise and may serve to boost the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of long-term administration of CAPE as an adjective anti-inflammatory agent.