Abstract


 
 
 
 Purpose: The current study investigates the effects of bee propolis as a dietary supplement on thyroid function in healthy individuals.
 Methods: Sixty-nine apparently healthy subjects of both genders aged between 25 and 45 years and had a body mass index in the range of 18.5-25 kg m-2 were enrolled in the study. The participants were divided into two groups, 34 volunteers treated with 1 gram of bee propolis daily and the other 35 were on placebo pills for 2 months. Total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4) and ultra-sensitive thyroid stimulating hormone (USTSH) were measured in the two groups before and after treatment to assess thyroid function.
 
 
 
 
 Results: The results showed a significant increase in body weight (from 73.4 ± 7.2 to 74.8 ± 7.5 kg, p < 0.05) and BMI (from 24.2 ± 1.2 to 24.7 ± 1.5 kg m-2 , p < 0.05) with significantly decreased TT3 (from 2.17 ± 0.07 to 1.87 ± 0.09 nmol/L, p < 0.01) in bee propolis-treated group, whereas TT4 and USTSH showed non-significant changes.
 Conclusion: The results reveal a significant association of bee propolis supplementation with reduced TT3 levels in healthy subjects. The link may assist clinicians in monitoring the safety of bee propolis supplementation.
 
 
 

Highlights

  • Bee propolis, known as bee glue, is a natural viscous and adhesive material made from beeswax, bee’s enzymes and saliva in addition to some materials from the plants in the bees environment [1]

  • Thyroid function was evaluated by measuring total triiodothyronine (TT3), total thyroxine (TT4) and ultra-sensitive thyroid stimulating hormone (USTSH) using enzymelinked fluorescent assay

  • A total of sixty-nine subjects were examined for thyroid function tests (T3 and T4) and TSH following 60-day administration of 1 g of bee propolis

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Summary

Introduction

Known as bee glue, is a natural viscous and adhesive material made from beeswax, bee’s enzymes and saliva in addition to some materials from the plants in the bees environment [1]. The diversity of the plant species that grow around the beehive can affect the chemical composition of propolis. The chemical composition can vary depending on the illumination, seasonality and food availability during the formation of propolis [3]. Regardless of differences in composition, propolis has revealed distinct medicinal benefits and has been widely used in the nutritional and pharmaceutical industries as a supplement and therapeutic agent [4]. It showed biological effects including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, anticancer, and immune system regulatory functions [5,6]

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