Abstract
Propolis is a natural product resulting from the mixing of bee secretions with botanical exudates. Since propolis is rich in flavonoids and cinnamic acid derivatives, the application of propolis extracts has been tried in therapies against cancer, inflammation, and metabolic diseases. As metabolic diseases develop relatively slowly in patients, the therapeutic effects of propolis in humans should be evaluated over long periods of time. Moreover, several factors such as medical history, genetic inheritance, and living environment should be taken into consideration in human studies. Animal models, especially mice and rats, have some advantages, as genetic and microbiological variables can be controlled. On the other hand, cellular models allow the investigation of detailed molecular events evoked by propolis and derivative compounds. Taking advantage of animal and cellular models, accumulating evidence suggests that propolis extracts have therapeutic effects on obesity by controlling adipogenesis, adipokine secretion, food intake, and energy expenditure. Studies in animal and cellular models have also indicated that propolis modulates oxidative stress, the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and adipose tissue inflammation, all of which contribute to insulin resistance or defects in insulin secretion. Consequently, propolis treatment may mitigate diabetic complications such as nephropathy, retinopathy, foot ulcers, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This review describes the beneficial effects of propolis on metabolic disorders.
Highlights
The global prevalence of obesity brings about increased incidence of various metabolic diseases such as adipocity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)
We demonstrated that repeated intraperitoneal injection of Brazilian propolis extracts (100 mg/kg, twice a week for 12 weeks) significantly decreased mesenteric adipose tissue mass, whereas weights of epididymal and inguinal adipose tissue was not modulated [109]
Vanella et al assessed the effects of CAPE (10 μM) on leptin expression in mature adipocytes that were differentiated from adipose stem cells (ASCs) isolated from human subcutaneous adipose tissue [116]
Summary
The global prevalence of obesity brings about increased incidence of various metabolic diseases such as adipocity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Type 2 diabetes is believed to be one of the major exacerbating factors of NAFLD and of a consequent disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) [18]. An epidemiological study conducted over the past three decades has indicated that obesity and type 2 diabetes are major predictors of NAFLD [20]. I summarize the effects of propolis and propolis-derived chemical compounds on obesity, diabetes, and complications resulting from diabetes. Since type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and T2DM cause similar complications due to hyperglycemia, I include effects of propolis on T1DM. Particular focus is given to data obtained using animal and cellular models, which provide knowledge about the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of propolis
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