External Use of Propolis for Oral, Skin, and Genital Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this review is to provide the available evidence on the external use of propolis (EUP) for oral, skin, and genital diseases. Method. We searched twelve electronic databases for relevant studies up to June 2016. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included and analysed. Results. Of the 286 articles identified, twelve potentially relevant studies met our inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis of two studies on recurrent oral aphthae (ROA) indicated that there were no significant differences in total effective rate (TER) for pain disappearance between EUP and placebo groups (RR = 1.96, 95% CI = 0.97–3.98, and P = 0.06). In two studies on skin diseases, the combined treatment of EUP with other interventions revealed significant effects on the duration of treatment or TER. In one study on genital diseases, EUP showed significant differences in genital herpes outcome measures compared to placebo. Conclusions. Our results on the effectiveness of EUP for treating oral, skin, and genital diseases are not conclusive because of the low methodological qualities and small sample sizes. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials, with high quality and large samples for specific disorders, must be conducted to obtain firm conclusions.

Apitherapy for Age-Related Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction (Sarcopenia): A Review on the Effects of Royal Jelly, Propolis, and Bee Pollen

“…The most profuse flavonoids in ethanolic extracts of Brazilian propolis are artepillin C (38.6 mg/g), coumaric acid (10.6 mg/g), and kaempferide (12.6 mg/g) [ 70 ]. Key other constituents of propolis include polyphenol (e.g., phenolic acids and aromatic esters), phenolic aldehydes, terpenoids, ketones, enzymes (e.g., α- and β-amylase), vitamins (e.g., thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), pyridoxine (B6), ascorbic acid (C), tocopherol (E)), minerals (e.g., calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium, barium) essential oils, alcohol, fatty acids, β-steroids, and many other elements [ 37 , 38 , 67 , 68 , 71 ].…”

Apitherapy for Parkinson’s Disease: A Focus on the Effects of Propolis and Royal Jelly

“…However, the antioxidant capacity of various types of propolis varies considerably depending on the type of plant exudates used for their production [ 31 ]. Because of its rich chemical composition, propolis has a wide range of several other therapeutic activities: antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic anticholesterol properties [ 29 , 36 , 38 , 41 , 47 , 48 ]. Accordingly, propolis and its components have been used to promote wound healing and to treat several diseased conditions such as pulp problems, oral candidiasis, genital herpes, and ischemic stroke, to name a few [ 38 , 39 , 46 , 48 ].…”

Propolis and Its Potential to Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders

“…It would have been prudent to utilize indistinguishable placebo as compared to the experimental treatment. Considering the scent is crucial, since propolis has a distinct aromatic smell and subjects are usually familiar with its distinctive smell; this characteristic should be taken into consideration in future blind studies on propolis [ 42 ].…”

“…Honey bees produce it by mixing their saliva and beeswax with the exudates obtained from plants like tree buds, sap flows, leaves, branches, and barks of plants found in the vicinity of the beehive. The ultimate goal of propolis is for bees to protect their hives by utilizing it to seal cracks and protect bees from predators and microorganisms and provide thermal insulation [ 1 – 3 ]. The term propolis has originated from Greek word pro, for or in defense of, and polis, the city [ 1 ].…”