The Effect of Iranian Propolis on Glucose Metabolism, Lipid Profile, Insulin Resistance, Renal Function and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Abstract

Propolis is a natural product with many biological properties including hypoglycemic activity and modulating lipid profile. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Iranian propolis extract on glucose metabolism, Lipid profile, Insulin resistance, renal and liver function as well as inflammatory biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. The duration of the study lasted 90 days. Patients with T2DM were recruited and randomly divided into an Iranian propolis group (1000 mg/day) (n = 50) and a placebo group (n = 44). There was a significant decrease in the serum levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), 2-hour post prandial (2hpp), insulin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β), High sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). However, there was a notable elevation in the serum HDL-C in the propolis group compared with the placebo group. In addition, a notable reduction in serum liver transaminase (ALT and AST) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations in the propolis group was observed. Iranian propolis has beneficial effects on reducing post prandial blood glucose, serum insulin, insulin resistance, and inflammatory cytokines. It is also a useful treatment for preventing the liver and renal dysfunction, as well as, elevating HDL-C concentrations in patients with T2DM.

The Effects of Melatonin and Propolis on Markers of Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Clinical Outcomes, and Survival Rate in Patients with Primary Sepsis Hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…In the present study, propolis supplementation alone and in combination with melatonin was able to reduce the levels of in ammatory factors. In line with our study, propolis (1000 mg daily) for 12 weeks in diabetic patients was able to signi cantly reduce CRP and TNF-α levels (41). Other clinical trials have shown that propolis at doses of 830 mg to 1,500 mg in some chronic disease can signi cantly reduce the levels of in ammatory factors (20,42,43), while lower doses of propolis did not effect on the in ammation levels (44).…”

Temperate Propolis Has Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Is a Potent Inhibitor of Nitric Oxide Formation in Macrophages

“…The current paper provides strong support for propolis being effective as an anti-inflammatory complex. Propolis has been studied as an immunomodulatory agent in a number of sizeable trials, and its safety in high doses is good [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. There had been no studies examining whether or not the components in propolis are absorbed.…”

“…In a recent paper, we studied several types of propolis for their effects on the metabolic response of THP-1 cells to treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and for one sample from Cameroon, which inhibited cytokine release, we studied the metabolomics of the immune response and found a clear effect of the propolis in inhibiting purine nucleotide phosphorylase [ 8 ]. In addition, there have been some quite extensive trials of propolis in humans aimed at affecting the immune response [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. The commonly available propolis supplements, such as glycerol-based tinctures, lozenges, and capsules, are mainly based on temperate propolis such as that collected by bees in the UK.…”

Effects of Green Brazilian Propolis Alcohol Extract on Nociceptive Pain Models in Rats

“…A recent study reported that propolis has beneficial effects on reducing post prandial blood glucose, inflammatory cytokines, insulin resistance and serum insulin. Furthermore, the study found that propolis can also prevent liver and renal dysfunction in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus [ 18 ].…”