Biological Properties and Therapeutic Applications of Propolis
Summary
Propolis is a complex resinous substance produced by honey bees through the collection of plant exudates and subsequent enzymatic processing. Its rich chemical composition, notably including flavonoids, phenolic acids and terpenoids, underpins a broad spectrum of biological activities. These encompass antimicrobial efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, antioxidant capacity that mitigates oxidative stress, and anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects that support host defence and tissue repair. Emerging evidence further highlights propolis as a regulator of cellular processes such as autophagy, opening avenues for neuroprotective and anticancer interventions. In practical terms, propolis formulations have been applied in wound dressings, oral care products and dietary supplements, where its capacity to accelerate tissue regeneration, inhibit microbial colonisation and modulate immune responses has demonstrated clinical promise. Advances in delivery technologies have also sought to optimise the stability and bioavailability of its bioactive constituents, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy across a range of medical and nutraceutical applications.
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Biological Properties and Therapeutic Applications of Propolis publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in biological properties and therapeutic applications of propolis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Flavonoids: Polyphenolic compounds of plant origin known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Phenolic compounds: Aromatic molecules bearing one or more hydroxyl groups, key to antimicrobial and free-radical-scavenging effects.
Autophagy: A conserved intracellular degradation mechanism that recycles damaged organelles and proteins, crucial for cellular homeostasis.
Electroactive polymer: A material that undergoes changes in properties when subjected to an electric field, employed to enhance antimicrobial efficacy in hybrid systems.
References
- Enhancing antibacterial efficacy through propolis-infused electroactive polymers: A novel approach to combat antibiotic resistance. Chemical Engineering Journal (2024).
- Food-grade delivery systems of Brazilian propolis from Apis mellifera: From chemical composition to bioactivities in vivo. Food Chemistry (2023).
- Propolis as an autophagy modulator in relation to its roles in redox balance and inflammation regulation. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy (2024).
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