Propolis as a novel antibacterial agent

Abstract

Propolis (bee glue) is a bee glue, sticky resinous material released from various plant sources such as bud exudates, flowers, and leaves modified by bee secretions and wax propolis is composed of resins, waxes, polyphenols, polysaccharides, volatile materials, and secondary metabolites that are responsible for various bioactivity such as antibacterial, anti-angiogenic, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-viral activities. The physico-chemical characteristics and the natural properties of various kinds of propolis have been studied for the past decade. Novel active anti-microbial compounds have been identified in propolis. Those compounds positively modulated the antimicrobial resistance of multidrug resistant bacteria. Published research has indicated that propolis and its derivatives has many natural antimicrobial compounds with a broad spectrum against different types of bacteria and that it enhanced the efficacy of conventional antibiotics. Besides, the combination of propolis with other compounds such as honey has been studied whereby, such combinations have a synergistic effect against bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus . The activity of propolis is very much dependent on seasonal and regional factors, and Middle Eastern propolis have shown best antibacterial efficacy. Propolis and its main flavonoids ingredients should not be overlooked and should be evaluated in clinical trials to better elucidate their potential application in various fields of medicine. Clinical antibacterial potential and its use in new drugs of biotechnological products should be conducted. This review aims at highlighting some of the recent scientific findings associated with the antibacterial properties of propolis and its components.

Effects of Propolis on Infectious Diseases of Medical Relevance

“…Propolis from Northern Morocco showed inhibitory effects against different Gram-negative strains, including E. coli ; the researchers identified caffeic acid, p -coumaric acid, ferulic acid, naringenin, pinocembrin, chrysin, galangin, pinobanksin, and quercetin [ 45 ]. As mentioned by different authors who have studied the activity of propolis and some of its bioactive compounds on the effect against pathogens that cause gastrointestinal infections, we agree that the propolis present a great antibacterial diversity; nevertheless, these investigations contribute limited conclusions; therefore, it is necessary to carry out more studies focusing on understanding the antibacterial activity of propolis and trying to find its possible mechanism of action [ 54 ]. In addition, it is important to conduct in vivo and clinical trials in propolis of various areas to consider the differences in the chemical components of each one and, therefore, the different antibacterial activities that it may present [ 55 ].…”

Antimicrobial activity of flavonoids glycosides and pyrrolizidine alkaloids from propolis of Scaptotrigona aff. postica

“…Multidrug resistant bacteria can compromise the clinical utility of major chemotherapeutic antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial compounds, as flavonoids found in propolis, exhibit a broad spectrum against different types of bacteria and can enhance the efficacy of conventional antibiotics (Almuhayawi, 2020). Flavonoids are used for many centuries in the treatment of the range of human diseases due to nontoxic effect (Górniak et al, 2019, Tagousop et al, 2018, Adamczak et al, 2019.…”

Novel Treatments and Preventative Strategies Against Food-Poisoning Caused by Staphylococcal Species

“…Wax propolis is another bee-derived product made basically of resins, waxes, polyphenols, polysaccharides, volatile materials, and secondary metabolites that show antibacterial, antioxidant, or antiviral activities [96]. Different propolis types have shown activity against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including S. aureus [97].…”