Propolis: An update on its chemistry and pharmacological applications

Abstract

Propolis, a resinous substance produced by honeybees from various plant sources, has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine for several purposes all over the world. The precise composition of propolis varies according to plant source, seasons harvesting, geography, type of bee flora, climate changes, and honeybee species at the site of collection. This apiary product has broad clinical applications such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, analgesic, antidepressant, and anxiolytic as well asimmunomodulatory effects. It is also well known from traditional uses in treating purulent disorders, improving the wound healing, and alleviating many of the related discomforts. Even if its use was already widespread since ancient times, after the First and Second World War, it has grown even more as well as the studies to identify its chemical and pharmacological features, allowing to discriminate the qualities of propolis in terms of the chemical profile and relative biological activity based on the geographic place of origin. Recently, several in vitro and in vivo studies have been carried out and new insights into the pharmaceutical prospects of this bee product in the management of different disorders, have been highlighted. Specifically, the available literature confirms the efficacy of propolis and its bioactive compounds in the reduction of cancer progression, inhibition of bacterial and viral infections as well as mitigation of parasitic-related symptoms, paving the way to the use of propolis as an alternative approach to improve the human health. However, a more conscious use of propolis in terms of standardized extracts as well as new clinical studies are needed to substantiate these health claims.

Brazilian Red Propolis Presents Promising Anti-H. pylori Activity in In Vitro and In Vivo Assays with the Ability to Modulate the Immune Response

“…The Brazilian red propolis used by the authors was able to reduce gastric ulceration by 87.34% and 100.0% with doses of 250.0 and 500.0 mg/kg. The CHEBRP used in the present study was collected in Bahia, and its components differ from the Brazilian red propolis used by Mendonça et al [ 26 ] due to the geographical difference in propolis collection [ 22 ]. However, both the Brazilian red propolis, the one used in the present study and the one used by Mendonça et al [ 26 ] showed gastroprotective action in in vivo assays using Wistar rats.…”

“…Flavonoids, phenolic compounds, esters, alcohols, terpenes and beta-steroids can be mentioned as important organic compounds already identified in propolis samples [ 21 ]. To date, the scientific literature has reported the identification of about 300 different chemical components in propolis from different sources [ 22 ].…”

Qualitative Characterization and Antifungal Activity of Romanian Honey and Propolis

“…Its composition can be very different depending on the geographical area and botanical origin. Like honey, propolis is known to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory or even anti-carcinogenic effects [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Physicochemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Honeys Produced in Minas Gerais (Brazil)

“…Naringenin and dihydroxydecenoic acid were observed in all the samples, except for Aroeira and Coffee. Naringenin is a citrus flavonoid that has several biological activities such as sepsis, fulminant hepatitis, fibrosis and cancer [ 107 ]. Dihydroxydecenoic acid has an antineuroinflammatory effect and is the second most abundant fatty acid, but has been less studied in royal jelly, the results of these studies have revealed a new role for tumor suppressor p53 in the inhibition of neuroinflammation [ 108 ].…”