Propolis Alleviates Depressive Symptoms

Propolis, rich in numerous polyphenols with unique therapeutic values makes this bee product the most researched worldwide. This randomized placebo-controlled clinical study of Azerbaijan propolis proved it to be an important adjuvant therapeutic with impressive results. Interestingly enough, this anti-depressive characteristic has been identified in previous studies.

Propolis add-on therapy alleviates depressive symptoms; A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

J Phytotherapy Research, 24 Jan 2022

  

Almost half of the treatments with common antidepressants are failed or result in a relapse of symptoms after cessation. Moreover, the antidepressants side effects rationalize the use of complementary medicine as an adjunctive therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of propolis in complementary therapy of depressive disorder. Chromatography technics were used to detect propolis components. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was designed, and 54 participants were randomly assigned to receive either propolis or Placebo for 6 weeks. Treatment was defined as a decrease in 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) and Beck depression inventory (BDI). On D42, there
was a significant reduction in HAMD score in the propolis group compared with the placebo group (p < .0001). HAMD score significantly decreased in the propolis group from 20.92 ± 3.77 on D0 to 10.03 ± 5.55 on D42, and BDI score was improved from 29.25 ± 3.06 on D0 to 14.17 ± 4.86 on D42. Our findings confirmed that complementary treatment of propolis with SSRIs could safely attenuate symptoms of moderate–severe MDD. These antidepressant effects might result from the rich phenolic acids and flavonoids content of Azerbaijan propolis.

Propolis Spray Improves Response to Bacterial, Viral Respiratory Infections

Long appreciated for its benefits towards respiratory ailments, this double-blind study finds propolis effective in quickly resolving bacterial and viral upper respiratory infections, thus preventing more severe health conditions that would require pharmacological treatment. Best of all, this was documented in a randomized, controlled clinical trial, which is especially satisfying for fans of propolis. 

J Phytomedicine, Volume 80, Jan 2021, 153368

Background

The most common symptoms of mild upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are sore throat, muffled dysphonia, and swelling and redness of the throat, which result from the inflammation process following acute bacterial or viral infection. 

Hypothesis/purpose
As propolis is a natural resinous substance traditionally used to maintain oral cavity and upper respiratory tract health due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, the aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of an oral spray based on poplar-type propolis extract with a known and standardized polyphenol content, on the remission of the symptoms associated with mild uncomplicated URTIs. 

Study design
A monocentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed. 

Methods
This study was conducted in 122 healthy adults who had perceived mild upper respiratory tract infections. Participants, randomly assigned to receive either propolis oral spray (N = 58) or placebo (N = 64), underwent four visits (baseline = t0, after 3 days = t1 and after 5 days = t2 and after a follow-up of 15 days = t3) in an outpatient setting. Propolis oral spray total polyphenol content was 15 mg/ml. The dosage was 2–4 sprays, corresponding to 12–24 mg of polyphenols, three times for five days. The duration of the study was 8 weeks.

 

Results
After 3 days of treatment, 83% of subjects treated with propolis oral spray had
remission of symptoms, while 72% of subjects in the placebo group had at least one remaining symptom. After five days, all subjects had recovered from all symptoms. This means that resolution from mild uncomplicated URTIs took place two days earlier, instead of taking place in five days as recorded in the control group. There was no relationship between the ingestion of propolis oral spray or placebo and adverse reactions. 

Conclusion
Propolis oral spray can be used to improve both bacterial and viral uncomplicated URTI symptoms in a smaller number of days without the use of pharmacological treatment, leading to a prompt symptom resolution. 

Propolis Mouthwash Outperforms Listerine Against Oral Bacteria

In reviewing studies of propolis use in mucous linings of the body, we find it very effective against bacteria and with anti-inflammatory properties, it speeds healing.  This study found propolis more effective than Listerine® and CHX at reducing oral bacteria.

Evaluation of Antibacterial Effect of Propolis and its Application in Mouthwash Production

Nazeri R1, Ghaiour M2, Abbasi S3.

FrontDent. 2019 Jan-Feb;16(1):1-12 

OBJECTIVES:

Our purpose was to determine the antibacterial properties of propolis and to evaluate its use as an antibacterial mouthwash with minimal complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

In this experimental laboratory study, an alcoholic propolis extract was prepared. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was calculated for four bacterial species including Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus), and Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) using agar dilution. According to the MIC, a propolis antibacterial mouthwash was produced and compared to water,

chlorhexidine (CHX), and Listerine® using laboratory rats for clinical examination. Salivary specimens of rats were collected at 12 hours, 1 week, and 2 weeks after using the mouthwash and examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and repeated measures ANOVA (α=0.05).

RESULTS:

The results of agar dilution test showed the lowest MIC for Staphylococcus aureus and the highest for Lactobacillus acidophilus. On the other hand, the results of this study showed that water alone had no effect on the level of oral bacteria. In the case of Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, and Lactobacillus Acidophilus mouthwash, the Propolis mouthwash showed a significant difference with chlorhexidine and Listerine (P < 0 .05) , while chlorhexidine and listerine had lower effect in comparison. As for Staphylococcus aureus, there was no significant difference between chlorhexidine and listerine (P > 0 .05), but Listerine had the lower effect than either (P < 0 .05 ) but Listerine had the lower effect than either ( P < 0.05 ).

CONCLUSION:

According to the results, propolis mouthwash was more efficient against the studied oral bacteria compared to CHX and Listerine®.

Copyright© Dental Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

Honey: A Healthy Choice for Diabetics

This published article reviews all studies that validate honey as a novel anti-diabetic agent. To no surprise, honey has been revered as a naturally, preferred sweetner for diabetics, simply for the fact that it doesn't require insulin to be digested. This peer-reviewed article from Romanian faculty is very qualified to digest the data for the intrinsic value contained within.

Honey and Diabetes: The Importance of Natural Simple Sugars in Diet for Preventing and Treating Different Type of Diabetes

Oxid MedCell Longev. 2018 Feb 4;2018:4757893

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder with multifactorial and heterogeneous etiologies. Two types of diabetes are common among humans: type 1 diabetes that occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys insulin and type 2 diabetes, the most common form, that may be caused by several factors, the most important being lifestyle, but also may be determined by different genes.

Honey was used in folk medicine for a long time, but the health benefits were explained in the last decades, when the scientific world was concerned in testing and thus explaining the benefits of honey.

Different studies demonstrate the hypoglycemic effect of honey, but the mechanism of this effect remains unclear.

This review presents the experimental studies completed in the recent years, which support honey as a novel antidiabetic agent that might be of potential significance for the management of diabetes and its complications and also highlights the potential impacts and future perspectives on the use of honey as an antidiabetic agent.

Download the complete article here.

Propolis: A Natural Healer of Gastrointestinal Diseases

Propolis heals and protects - both in the hive and within living beings. Previous studies also confirm the effectiveness of its therapeutic properties on mucous linings of the body. Not surprising that its anti-inflammatory effects on gastrointestinal diseases.

Propolis: The future therapy against Helicobacter pylori-mediated gastrointestinal diseases

Journal Applied Biomedicine; Vol 6, issue 2; May 2018

Abstract:

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which is found in the stomach of approximately 50% of humans, remains there for almost the entire lifetime of the infected individual, leading to various gastrointestinal tract-associated disorders following full-blown infection. 

Due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance, recurrence and high cost of therapy, most antibiotic-based treatment strategies are not very effective in eradicating H. pylori infections. The quest for an alternative treatment free of these inconveniences is currently in demand. One of the important alternatives is propolis, produced by the honeybee Apis mellifera, which has been used to treat different diseases since it possesses a wide range of biochemical properties.

Propolis has been reported as a useful therapeutic regimen against H. pylori, which is an important cause of gastric inflammation, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer, and lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues. Apart from propolis, various active compounds of other natural products have also been confirmed to be effective. This review compiles the scientific evidence of the role of propolis and other natural products against H. pylori-associated gastrointestinal tract-related health complexities by acting as an anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant factor as well as via modulation of enzymatic activities.

Propolis: Potential Solution to Gluten-induced Celiac Disease

The anti-inflammatory effects of propolis are well-documented, especially on mucous linings of the body. This study reaffirms its capacity to reduce inflammation while also diminishing nitric oxide synthase, another inflammatory factor in septic shock, auto-immune diseases or proinflammatory cytokine production.

Ex vivo immunomodulatory effect of ethanolic extract of propolis during Celiac Disease: involvement of nitric oxide pathway

Inflammopharmacology.2018 Mar 7  

Celiac Disease (CeD) is a chronic immune-mediated enteropathy, in which dietary gluten induces an inflammatory reaction, predominantly in the duodenum. Propolis is a resinous hive product, collected by honeybees from various plant sources.

Propolis is well-known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory effects, due to its major compounds, polyphenols and flavonoids. The aim of our study was to assess the ex vivo effect of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) upon the activity and expression of iNOS, along with IFN-γ and IL-10 production in Algerian Celiac patients. In this context, PBMCs isolated from peripheral blood of Celiac patients and healthy controls were cultured with different concentrations of EEP. NO production was measured using the Griess method, whereas quantitation of IFN-γ and IL-10 levels was performed by ELISA. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, NFκB and pSTAT-3 activity were analyzed by immunofluorescence assay.

Our results showed that PBMCs from Celiac patients produced high levels of NO and IFN-γ compared with healthy controls (HC). Interestingly, EEP reduced significantly, NO and IFN-γ levels and significantly increased IL-10 levels at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. Importantly, EEP downmodulated the iNOS expression as well as the activity of NFκB and pSTAT-3 transcription factors.

Altogether, our results highlight the immunomodulatory effect of propolis on NO pathway and on pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, we suggest that propolis may constitute a potential candidate to modulate inflammation during Celiac Disease and has a potential therapeutic value.

Functional Food for Better Health - Honey, Propolis & Royal Jelly

Its all in the ingredients!! Each of these products merit healthy respect but all three together? In Apitherapy, that's called Synergistic Power! If you're consuming these bee products, you're not only saving your life but helping bees maintain an important role and contributor to all beings on our planet. 

Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly: A Comprehensive Review of Their Biological Actions and Health Benefits

JOxidMed 2017 February

Introduction

Apiculture is the science and art of prolonging, sustaining, and retaining health by using products obtained from honeybee hives, such as honey, bee bread, bee venom, bee pollen, propolis, and royal jelly. Recent years have seen the fast application of bee products in both traditional and modern medicine. Currently, many studies are targeted toward investigating directed health benefits and pharmacological properties of bee products due to their efficacies, leading to the increasing development of nutraceuticals and functional food from these products. The concept of functional food refers to food that has the ability to promote better physiological or psychological health compared to traditional remediated and nutritional food. These effects positively contribute toward excellent health maintenance, well-being, and reduced chronic illness [1]. The present review focuses on the potential health benefits of bee products, including honey, propolis, and royal jelly. 

Conclusion

The present review focused on the potential health benefits of bee products such as honey, propolis, and royal jelly. These products are highly rich in active components such as flavonoids, phenolic acid, phenolic compounds, terpenes, and enzymes, which have biological functions in preventing some diseases and promoting good health. Honey, propolis, and royal jelly have distinct efficacies with significant nutritional properties and functional values. Thus, these bee products can be developed into potent apitherapeutic agents. However, some precautions need to be taken in case of allergens associated with bee products and in finding the right intake dosage. Hence, it is necessary to conduct further studies to determine the critical mechanisms related to the pharmacological activities of these bee products and the appropriate amounts that can be taken in order to obtain promising health benefits.