Bee Propolis is the resinous substance accumulated by bees from different types of plants.[1]
Propolis functions in sealing holes and cracks and for the reconstruction of the beehive.[1:1] It is also used for smoothing the inner surface of the beehive, retaining the hive’s internal temperature (35° C), preventing weathering and invasion by predators. Furthermore, propolis hardens the cell wall and contributes to an aseptic internal environment. Propolis generally becomes soft and sticky upon heating.[1:2] It also possesses a pleasant smell.[1:3]
Composition
Propolis is composed mainly of resin (50%), wax (30%), essential oils (10%), pollen (5%), and other organic compounds (5%).[1:4]
Phenolic compounds, esters, flavonoids, terpenes, beta-steroids, aromatic aldehydes, and alcohols are the important organic compounds present in propolis.[1:5]
Twelve different flavonoids have been detected in propolis extracts:[1:6]
- Pinocembrin[1:7]
- Acacetin[1:8]
- Chrysin[1:9]
- Rutin[1:10]
- Luteolin[1:11]
- Kaempferol[1:12]
- Apigenin[1:13]
- Myricetin[1:14]
- Catechin[1:15]
- Naringenin[1:16]
- Galangin[1:17]
- Quercetin[1:18]
Two phenolic acids have been detected in propolis:[1:19]
Resveratrol has been detected in propolis.[1:22]
Propolis also contains important vitamins, such as vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, and E and useful minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, copper, zinc, manganese, and iron.[1:23] A few enzymes, such as succinic dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), and acid phosphatase, are also present in propolis.[1:24]
Propolis is highly rich in bioactive compounds.[1:25]
Bioactive compounds:
- Phenolic compounds:
- Terpenoids:
- Isocupressic acid, a labdane diterpenoid[1:39]
- Antifungal[1:40]
- 13C-symphyoreticulic acid, a clerodane diterpenoid[1:41]
- Antitumor[1:42]
- esters of long-chain fatty acids, (3-hydroxystearic acid (n = 11) procrim a; 3-hydroxystearic acid (n = 13), procrim b and a pentacyclic triterpenoid (lupeol))[1:43]
- Farnesol, a sesquiterpenoid[1:47]
- Antifungal[1:48]
- Isocupressic acid, a labdane diterpenoid[1:39]
- Flavenoids:
- Other Bioactive Compounds:
Healing Properties
Antidiabetic
Antiseptic
Antihistaminergic (antihistamine, antiallergy)
Anti-Inflammatory
Antioxidant
Antimicrobial
Antibiofilm
Propolis Extract Solution can be used as antibiofilm material to counteract biofilm growth of Candida albicans.[1:80]
Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogenic yeast.
Antibacterial
-
Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity[1:81]
- this bacteria can cause sores, called ulcers, in the lining of your stomach or the upper part of your small intestine
-
Anti-Streptococcus mutans activity[2]
- Propolis ethanolic extract displays antibacterial activity against the growth of Streptococcus mutans strains.[2:1]
Antimycotic
Antifungal
Antiprotozoan (parasites)
Antiulcer
Anticancer
Propolis has potential antitumor activity by inducing apoptosis on human breast cancer cells.[1:82]
Immunomodulator
Gynecological Care
Application of 5% aqueous propolis solution resulted in an improvement in vaginal well-being.[1:83]
Oral Health
Propolis may restrict bacterial-plaque development and periodontitis-causing pathogens because of its antibacterial properties.[1:84]
Propolis solutions exert a selectively lower cytotoxic action on human gum fibroblasts compared to chlorhexidine.[1:85]
In addition to that, mouthwash containing propolis have shown effectiveness in healing surgical wounds.[1:86]
Propolis solution can also be used to disinfect toothbrushes.[1:87]
A 3% ethanolic extract of propolis toothpaste gel showed potency against gingivitis caused by dental plague.[1:88]
Halitosis
Propolis extracts have helped cure halitosis, a condition where an individual experiences unpleasant breath predominantly due to poor oral hygiene.[1:89]
Dermatological Care (Skin Health)
Propolis has a promotive action on collagen synthesis.[1:90]
Acne vulgaris
A clinical study on acne patients using ethanolic extract propolis showed its high efficacy in the treatment of acne vulgaris.[1:91]
Wound Healing
Compared to the conventional drug silver sulfadiazine, propolis notably decreased free radical activity in healing the wound beds which supported the repair process.[1:92]
Propolis also shows positive collagen metabolism in the wound during the healing process by increasing the collagen content of tissues.[1:93]
A study demonstrated the use of propolis as an alternative therapy for wound healing to promote wound closure, especially under conditions such as human diabetic foot ulcer (DFU).[1:94]
Disease / Symptom Treatment
Cancer
Propolis exhibits low or no toxicity towards normal cells due to its selectively toxic properties against tumor cells.[1:95]
Propolis is able to minimize cancer cell proliferation.[1:96]
Breast Cancer
It is believed that propolis may become a prominent agent to treat breast cancer.[1:97]
Propolis has potential towards human breast cancer treatment due to its antitumor activity by inducing apoptosis on human breast cancer cells.[1:98]
Melanoma
Ethanolic extract of Algerian propolis was shown to induce apoptosis and inhibit melanoma cells in vitro.[1:99]
- This action was attributed to the precense of galangin, a common flavonoid in propolis.[1:100]
Lung Cancer
Turkish propolis has been shown to exert a selective cytotoxic action on human lung cancer cells by inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, and caspase activity and by reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential.[1:101]
- This indicates that propolis is able to minimize the cancer cell proliferation.[1:102]
Gingivitis / Periodontitis
Propolis toothpaste or mouthwash has the ability to reduce the growth of bacterial plaque and pathogenic microflora that causes gingivitis and periodontitis. Thus, propolis may play a role as a therapeutic agent.[1:103]
Gynecological Disorders
Propolis may be used for Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (RVVC) and can be an alternative option for patients who are unable to take antibiotics due to a concurrent pharmacological treatment. The effectiveness of propolis against conventional antifungal nystatin has shown satisfactory results. Propolis extract solution (PES) also show low toxicity in human cells and can be an alternative treatment for chronic vaginitis.[1:104]
Vaginitis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC)
PES has antifungal properties and it can be used as antibiofilm material for Recurrent VVC to counteract biofilm growth of C. albicans and resistance in antifungal drug.[1:105]
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gastric ulceration
Antihistaminergic, antiinflammatory, antiacid, and anti-H. pylori activities can be used to help treat gastric ulceration.[1:106]
Parasites
Propolis ethanolic extract was shown to inhibit growth and adherence of Giardia duodenalis trophozoites.[1:107]
It also promotes the detachment of these parasitic organisms.[1:108]
The efficacy of Propolis extract against giardiasis has been reported in a clinical study whereby children and adults with giardiasis-given propolis showed a cure rate between 52% and 60%, whereas those given the conventional drug showed a 40% cure rate.[1:109]
Title: Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly: A Comprehensive Review of Their Biological Actions and Health Benefits
Publication: Hindawi: Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
Date: July 26, 2017
Study Type: Comprehensive Review
Author(s): Visweswara Rao Pasupuleti, Lakhsmi Sammugam, Nagesvari Ramesh, and Siew Hua Gan
Institution(s): Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Campus Jeli, Malaysia; Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
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Publication: Revista Cubana de Estomatología
Date: 2020
Study Type: Bacterial Study: In Vitro
Author(s): César Félix Cayo Rojas, Luis Adolfo Cervantes Ganoza
Institution(s): Universidad Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Lima, Perú; Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima, Perú
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