Propolis Research
44 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 8/10
Dosage exploration of the effects of honey and its derivatives on cardiometabolic outcomes: an overview of systematic reviews and GRADE-assessed updated meta-analysis
Norouzzadeh M et al. • Nutrition & diabetes (2025)
This meta-analysis examined the effects of Propolis.
- Propolis demonstrated reductions in anthropometric measures and improvements in lipid profile, glycemic control, liver enzymes, and inflammation and oxidative stress markers.
- While long-term or high-dose honey consumption in individuals with health concerns warrants caution, RJ and propolis demonstrated dose-dependent benefits for cardiometabolic health with proper certainty.
- Future research should focus on population-specific characteristics and optimized dosages.© 2025.
The impact of propolis supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers: A meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled clinical trials
Zhong-Yong L et al. • Prostaglandins & other lipid mediators (2024)
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- The propolis supplementation significantly reduced IL-6 (WMD = -2.48; 95 % CI: -4.62, -0.34; P = 0.023) and TNF-α (WMD = -0.86; 95 % CI: -1.45, -0.26; P = 0.005) compared with control groups.
- Although the CRP concentration was not reduced (WMD = 0.01; 95 % CI: -0.03, 0.05, P = 0.646), a significant reduction in CRP levels was revealed in supplementation durations ≥ 10 weeks.
- These results suggest that propolis has a beneficial effect on TNF-α and IL-6 levels and may be an effective adjunctive therapy for diseases where inflammation is a key factor in the etiology.
Efficacy of natural products in preventing oral mucositis resulting from cancer therapies: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Lee CC et al. • Critical reviews in oncology/hematology (2024)
Regarding pain relief, honey, and P. major L. emerged as effective, significantly reducing pain severity with a mean difference (MD) of -2.96 (95% CI: -3.80 to -1.94) compared to placebo.
- Honey, notably, was found to significantly reduce the overall incidence of oral mucositis compared to standard care, with a relative risk (RR) of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.67-0.96).
- It was particularly effective against moderate-to-severe oral mucositis (grade ≥ 2), reducing incidence with RR of 0.48 (95% CI: 0.30-0.75) versus placebo and 0.56 (95% CI: 0.34-0.93) against standard care.
- Regarding pain relief, honey, and P. major L. emerged as effective, significantly reducing pain severity with a mean difference (MD) of -2.96 (95% CI: -3.80 to -1.94) compared to placebo.
Chlorhexidine Mouthwash for Gingivitis Control in Orthodontic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Karamani I et al. • Oral health & preventive dentistry (2022)
Chlorhexidine mouthwash in orthodontic patients successfully controls gingival inflammation and bleeding when compared to untreated controls, but is equally effective as other mouthrinses where various oral health indices are concerned.
- The experimental solution was a 0.06%, 0.12%, or 0.2% CHX mouthwash with the control either a placebo mouthwash or a selection from a variety of mouthwashes.
- No statistically significant difference was detected in the meta-analysis between CHX and mouthwashes with propolis/probiotics/herbs in terms of the gingival index at 3 to 4 weeks (mean difference 0.07, 95% CI: -0.18, 0.31, p = 0.59).
- Chlorhexidine mouthwash in orthodontic patients successfully controls gingival inflammation and bleeding when compared to untreated controls, but is equally effective as other mouthrinses where various oral health indices are concerned.
The Impact of Antioxidant Adjuncts on Periodontal Health in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Meta-Analysis
Abdulla SA et al. • Clinical and experimental dental research (2025)
Antioxidants, particularly melatonin and propolis, enhance periodontal and glycemic outcomes in T2D-periodontitis patients.
- Adjunctive antioxidants significantly improved CAL (melatonin: SMD -2.28, 95% CI -3.01 to -1.56; propolis: SMD -3.83, -4.79 to -2.87) and PD (melatonin: SMD -2.40, -3.14 to -1.66; propolis: SMD -1.78, -2.44 to -1.11).
- Melatonin and propolis also reduced HbA1c (melatonin: SMD -2.28; propolis: SMD -3.83).
- Antioxidants, particularly melatonin and propolis, enhance periodontal and glycemic outcomes in T2D-periodontitis patients.
Efficacy of oral and topical antioxidants in the prevention and management of oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analyses
Raza A et al. • Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (2022)
Though oral and topical antioxidants significantly improved mucositis severity scores in HNC patients receiving radiotherapy with/without chemotherapy in individual studies, the quality of the evidence was low due to the small number of studies and unclear/high-risk bias.
- Included studies showed a statistically significant improvement in mucositis severity score for all antioxidants except melatonin.
- Patients receiving vitamin E were 60% less likely to develop severe mucositis grade 2 or higher than those receiving placebo in one study (P = 0.040).
- Patients receiving zinc were 95% less likely to develop severe mucositis (grades 3-4) in one study compared to placebo (P = 0.031).
Use of propolis for skin wound healing: systematic review and meta-analysis
Machado Velho JC et al. • Archives of dermatological research (2023)
The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
- The studies reported that the propolis was effective for the treatment of skin ulcers by promoting a higher percentage of healing than classically employed interventions.
- The mode of propolis application has also evolved.
- An increasing number of studies combined it with other substances and materials to achieve additive or synergistic effects on the skin regeneration process.
Can natural irrigants replace sodium hypochlorite? A systematic review
Susila AV et al. • Clinical oral investigations (2023)
The studied natural irrigants are not more efficacious than NaOCl.
- The studied natural irrigants are not more efficacious than NaOCl.
- At the moment, they cannot replace NaOCl routinely and may only substitute in select cases.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Recent Update on the Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Propolis
Zulhendri F et al. • Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2022)
Propolis also reduces the migration of immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils, possibly by downregulating the chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10.
- Several key themes related to the anti-inflammatory properties of propolis were subsequently identified, namely in relation to cancers, oral health, metabolic syndrome, organ toxicity and inflammation, immune system, wound healing, and pathogenic infections.
- Based on the latest experimental evidence, propolis is demonstrated to possess various mechanisms of action in modulating inflammation towards the regulatory balance and anti-inflammatory environment.
- In general, we summarize that propolis acts as an anti-inflammatory substance by inhibiting and downregulating TLR4, MyD88, IRAK4, TRIF, NLRP inflammasomes, NF-κB, and their associated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α.
Propolis for upper respiratory infections
Esposito C et al. • Phytomedicine (2020)
Propolis supplementation reduced the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections.
- Reduced infection duration
- Fewer sick days
- Well-tolerated
Potential Effects of Bioactive Compounds of Plant-Based Foods and Medicinal Plants in Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis: A Systematic Review
Josa E et al. • Nutrients (2024)
These results suggest that bioactive compounds of plant-based foods and medicinal plants have promising effects in terms of preventing or treating CKD progression and appear to improve inflammation and antioxidant capacity and support cardiovascular benefits and renoprotective effects; however, it is recommended that further studies be carried out.
- Systematic review examining Astragalus efficacy
- Published in Nutrients (2024)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The efficacy of propolis on markers of glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Karimian J et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2019)
This systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that propolis supplementation may be effective in controlling glycemic levels for T2DM patients.
- The results of the meta-analysis revealed significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (-13.51 mg/dl; 95% CI [-24.98, -2.04]) and hemoglobin A1C (-0.52%; 95% CI [-0.94, -0.10]) concentrations following propolis supplementation.
- However, no significant lowering effect was observed in fasting insulin levels (-0.53 pmol/L; 95% CI [-1.69, 0.63]) or homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (-0.543; 95% CI [-1.72, 0.64]).
- This systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that propolis supplementation may be effective in controlling glycemic levels for T2DM patients.
Propolis supplementation can reduce serum level of interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-α: an updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis on randomized clinical trials
Gholami A et al. • Journal of health, population, and nutrition (2024)
According to our result, propolis supplementation can decrease serum levels of IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α; therefore, it might be considered as complementary therapy for the treatment of certain chronic diseases.
- According to our result, propolis supplementation can decrease serum levels of IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α; therefore, it might be considered as complementary therapy for the treatment of certain chronic diseases.
- Published in Journal of health, population, and nutrition (2024)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effects of Propolis Consumption on Glycemic Indices and Liver Enzymes in Adults: A Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Valuation-assessed Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-analysis
Adeli S et al. • Clinical therapeutics (2024)
Future high-quality, long-term RCTs are needed to confirm our results. gov identifiers: CRD42024524763. (Clin Ther. 2024;46:XXX-XXX) © 2024 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc.
- Meta-analysis examining Propolis efficacy
- Published in Clinical therapeutics (2024)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Propolis effects in periodontal disease seem to affect coronavirus disease: a meta-analysis
Sales-Peres SHC et al. • Brazilian oral research (2023)
Treatment with propolis improves general health and facilitates the activation of the immune system against coronavirus.
- The meta-analysis showed favorable results with the use of propolis on probing depth (95%CI: 0.92; p < 0.001), clinical attachment level (95%CI: 1.48; p < 0.001), gingival index (95%CI: 0.14; p = 0.03), plaque index (95%CI: 0.11; p = 0.23), and blending on probing (95%CI: 0.39; p < 0.001).
- The antibacterial activity of propolis could be mediated through its direct action on microorganisms or the stimulation of the immune system, activating natural defenses.
- Thus, propolis inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 as well as its bacterial activity.
Nutritional interventions for the prevention and treatment of cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analysis
Amiri Khosroshahi R et al. • Nutrition reviews (2023)
This umbrella review shows that honey, glutamine, and propolis can significantly reduce the incidence of severe OM.
- This umbrella review shows that honey, glutamine, and propolis can significantly reduce the incidence of severe OM.
- These findings need to be confirmed with well-designed, longitudinal randomized controlled trials.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The effectiveness of propolis extract in reducing dentin hypersensitivity: A systematic review
Tavares JAO et al. • Archives of oral biology (2021)
Overall, propolis extract can be considered an effective, safe and low-cost alternative to reduce the dentin hypersensitivity.
- Overall, propolis extract can be considered an effective, safe and low-cost alternative to reduce the dentin hypersensitivity.
- Published in Archives of oral biology (2021)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effect of Propolis Intake on Serum C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) Levels in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials
Jalali M et al. • Complementary therapies in medicine (2020)
The present study concluded in the statistically and clinically reduction of serum CRP and TNF-α levels following Propolis intake.
- Compared to controls, Propolis intake significantly reduced serum TNF-α (SMD = -0.48, 95 % CI = [-0.69, -0.26], P < 0.0001, I2 = 66.9 %) and CRP (SMD = -0.38, 95 % CI = [-0.68, -0.07], P = 0.01, I2 = 44.4 %) levels.
- The present study concluded in the statistically and clinically reduction of serum CRP and TNF-α levels following Propolis intake.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Efficacy of propolis-based mouthwashes on dental plaque and gingival inflammation: a systematic review
Halboub E et al. • BMC oral health (2020)
The results suggest that propolis-based mouthwashes have potential benefits in reducing plaque and gingival inflammation.
- The results suggest that propolis-based mouthwashes have potential benefits in reducing plaque and gingival inflammation.
- However, methodological limitations along with small sample sizes in some of the included studies weaken the strength of the evidence.
- Therefore, further well-designed clinical trials with large sample sizes and adequate follow-up period are recommended to discern the efficacy of propolis mouthwash on plaque and gingivitis.
Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of the efficacy of propolis mouthwash in cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis
Kuo CC et al. • Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (2018)
Propolis mouthwash is effective and safe in the treatment of severe oral mucositis.
- The corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.18 to 0.70.
- Propolis mouthwash is effective and safe in the treatment of severe oral mucositis.
- To maintain propolis safety, propolis usage should occur under the supervision of medical staff and health professionals.