Efficacy of propolis as an adjunct treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a randomized, controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Among candidate treatment options for COVID-19, propolis, produced by honey bees from bioactive plant exudates, has shown potential against viral targets and has demonstrated immunoregulatory properties. We conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label, single center trial, with a standardized propolis product (EPP-AF) on hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients. Patients received standard care plus propolis at an oral dose of 400mg/day (n=40) or 800mg/day (n=42) for seven days, or standard care alone (n=42). Standard care included all necessary interventions, as determined by the attending physician. The primary end point was the time to clinical improvement defined as the length of hospital stay or oxygen therapy dependency. Secondary outcomes included acute kidney injury and need for intensive care or vasoactive drugs. Time in the hospital after intervention was significantly shortened in both propolis groups compared to the controls; median 7 days with 400mg/day and 6 days with 800mg/day, versus 12 days for standard care alone. Propolis did not significantly affect the need for oxygen supplementation. With the higher dose, significantly fewer patients developed acute kidney injury than in the controls (2 versus 10 of 42 patients). Propolis as an adjunct treatment was safe and reduced hospitalization time. The registration number for this clinical trial is: NCT04480593 (20/07/2020).

Beneficial effects of a mouthwash containing an antiviral phthalocyanine derivative on the length of hospital stay for COVID-19

“…In the present study, a promising result was found when the median LOS further decreased to 4 days in the AM group, which differed signi cantly from the NAM group, which had an average LOS of 7 days. On the other hand, it is possible to hypothesize that NAM itself was effective in reducing LOS when compared to previous studies [27,28]. This result is probably due to mechanical hygiene of the oral and oropharynx cavities.…”

“…Data regarding the mean time of hospitalization due to COVID-19 vary between geographic areas, but 14 days was found to be a reliable LOS time for patients in hospitals in China [27]. In a recent study [28] was described a median hospital stay period of 12 days in Brazil, which decreased to 6 to 7 days, depending on the concentration of propolis intervention used by the patients. In the present study, a promising result was found when the median LOS further decreased to 4 days in the AM group, which differed signi cantly from the NAM group, which had an average LOS of 7 days.…”

Antiviral effects of propolis against SARS-COV 2. A mini review article

“…A Brazilian Randomized control trial reported that treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients with a single oral daily dose of nonalcoholic preparation non-alcoholic preparation was associated with significant reductions in the length of hospital stay (LOS) and renal injury. Propolis treatment was not associated with a decrease in the need for oxygen therapy [7].…”

The influence of propolis plus Hyoscyamus niger L. against COVID‐19: A phase II, multicenter, placebo‐controlled, randomized trial

“…COVID-19 showed that the length of hospital stay in Brazil ranged from 12 to 7 days, depending on the concentration of propolis used by patients (Silveira et al, 2021). In our study, the hospitalization rate decreased from an average of 8.2 days in the placebo group to 4.6 days in the group receiving propolis syrup with H. niger L. This reduction in the rate of admission from propolis syrup along with H. niger L. causes a significant increase in arterial blood oxygen pressure on Day 6 (Kosari et al, 2021;Silveira et al, 2021). Propolis in clinical trial studies in the asthmatic model, which is double-blind, also increased spirometry parameters and decreased asthma attacks (Mirsadraee et al, 2021).…”