Abstract
Propolis is a complex phytocompound made from resinous and balsamic material harvested by bees from flowers, branches, pollen, and tree exudates. Humans have used propolis therapeutically for centuries. The aim of this article is to provide comprehensive review of the antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties of propolis. The mechanisms of action of propolis are discussed. There are two distinct impacts with regards to antimicrobial and anti-parasitic properties of propolis, on the pathogens and on the host. With regards to the pathogens, propolis acts by disrupting the ability of the pathogens to invade the host cells by forming a physical barrier and inhibiting enzymes and proteins needed for invasion into the host cells. Propolis also inhibits the replication process of the pathogens. Moreover, propolis inhibits the metabolic processes of the pathogens by disrupting cellular organelles and components responsible for energy production. With regard to the host, propolis functions as an immunomodulator. It upregulates the innate immunity and modulates the inflammatory signaling pathways. Propolis also helps maintain the host’s cellular antioxidant status. More importantly, a small number of human clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and the safety of propolis as an adjuvant therapy for pathogenic infections.
Highlights
The present viral pandemic and the threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria illustrate the ever-increasing need to find novel pharmaceutical compounds to combat microbial pathogens
The term ‘propolis’in this review study includes propolis from all propolis-producing bees, namely European honey bees (Apis mellifera), Asian honey bees (Apis cerana), and stingless bees of the genera Trigona, Melipona, Geniotrigona, Heterotrigona, and Tetragonula
The study conducted by Bruschi et al (2011) evaluated the in vitro antifungal activity of propolis ethanolic extract (PEE) and propolis microparticles (PMs) obtained from a Brazilian propolis sample against clinical isolates of yeast responsible for vulvovaginal candidiasis
Summary
The present viral pandemic and the threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria illustrate the ever-increasing need to find novel pharmaceutical compounds to combat microbial pathogens. Natural products have been used as medicine to treat human diseases caused by pathogens for centuries. Other notable examples are artemisinin, the antimalarial drug derived from the plant Artemisia annua, which is an herbal plant in Chinese traditional medicine; and penicillin, a natural antibiotic derived from Penicillium molds [2,3]. The latter two resulted in Nobel prizes, highlighting the significance of natural product research. Humans have used propolis for centuries to alleviate many ailments including pathogenic infections [17]. The term ‘propolis’in this review study includes propolis from all propolis-producing bees, namely European honey bees (Apis mellifera), Asian honey bees (Apis cerana), and stingless bees of the genera Trigona, Melipona, Geniotrigona, Heterotrigona, and Tetragonula
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