Effects of Propolis Extract and Propolis-Derived Compounds on Obesity and Diabetes: Knowledge from Cellular and Animal Models

Abstract

Propolis is a natural product resulting from the mixing of bee secretions with botanical exudates. Since propolis is rich in flavonoids and cinnamic acid derivatives, the application of propolis extracts has been tried in therapies against cancer, inflammation, and metabolic diseases. As metabolic diseases develop relatively slowly in patients, the therapeutic effects of propolis in humans should be evaluated over long periods of time. Moreover, several factors such as medical history, genetic inheritance, and living environment should be taken into consideration in human studies. Animal models, especially mice and rats, have some advantages, as genetic and microbiological variables can be controlled. On the other hand, cellular models allow the investigation of detailed molecular events evoked by propolis and derivative compounds. Taking advantage of animal and cellular models, accumulating evidence suggests that propolis extracts have therapeutic effects on obesity by controlling adipogenesis, adipokine secretion, food intake, and energy expenditure. Studies in animal and cellular models have also indicated that propolis modulates oxidative stress, the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and adipose tissue inflammation, all of which contribute to insulin resistance or defects in insulin secretion. Consequently, propolis treatment may mitigate diabetic complications such as nephropathy, retinopathy, foot ulcers, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This review describes the beneficial effects of propolis on metabolic disorders.

Propolis and its potential against SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanisms and COVID-19 disease

“…Various types of evidence demonstrate that propolis can reduce platelet aggregation and other thrombosis-related parameters. Propolis decreased thrombotic tendencies in mice by suppressing lipopolysaccharide-induced increases in PAI-1 levels [ 142 , 143 ]. Propolis downregulated platelet-derived growth factor and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecules in low-density lipoprotein knockout mice [ 144 ].…”

Water‑soluble propolis and bee pollen of <em>Trigona</em> spp. from South Sulawesi Indonesia induce apoptosis in the human breast cancer MCF‑7 cell line

“…To date, 500 compounds have been identified in propolis ( 13 ). Flavonoid content is commonly found in poplar propolis, which is produced in Europe, North America and non-tropical regions of Asia, while the Brazilian propolis, known as the Baccharis type, is abundant in cinnamic acid derivatives ( 13 ).…”

“…Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is known as one of the bioactive compounds of propolis, mostly in the Baccharis propolis ( 9 , 13 ). It has a mechanism of action to decrease the expression levels of NF-κB in the apoptotic pathway of pancreatic and colon cancer ( 14 ).…”

Emerging Strategies to Protect the Skin from Ultraviolet Rays Using Plant-Derived Materials

“…Previous studies have shown that propolis and its constituents exhibited antioxidant effects via mitigating oxidative modifications of biomolecules [ 77 , 100 ]. Propolis extract has also been shown to have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects under various pathological conditions [ 77 , 101 , 102 ]. In a recent study, propolis extract significantly lowered the total protein carbonyl content, a marker of protein oxidation, in HaCaT cells exposed to UVB rays [ 83 ].…”