Propolis: Pharmacological Properties and Medical Applications of Propolis in Modern Medicine

Propolis: Pharmacological Properties and Medical Applications of Propolis in Modern Medicine

Diabetes mellitus and its associated complications (cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, ophthalmic, neurological, and osteopathic-, endothelial-, and sexual-dysfunction, etc.) remain a burden worldwide in spite of the availability of a number of anti-diabetic drugs, many of which have adverse effects. There is a trend towards using natural products to control hyperglycemia and associated pathologies. Propolis, an apiproduct used by the honeybees as a sealant, has been rediscovered as a medicinal agent, reported to be of benefit in the treatment of allergies, bruises, burns, ulcers, sunburn, wounds, tumors, fatigue, sore throat, nasal congestion, respiratory ailments, flu, colds, acne, skin disorders, and shingles. Propolis consists of plant resins, balsams, wax, bee pollen and essential oils. The composition of propolis (of different colors) depends on the phytogeographical location, seasonal collection time, and botanical source. It is reported to contain more than 300 natural compounds such as polyphenols, phenolic aldehydes, sesquiterpene-quinones, coumarins, amino acids, steroids and inorganic compounds. Propolis is reported to have anti-angiogenic, antihypercholesterolemic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-parasitic, anti-septic, anti-tumor, antiulcer, anti-viral, immune-stimulatory properties, and hepato-, cardio-, and neuro-protective actions. Diabetes and pathologies associated with it are mainly due to inflammation and oxidative stress, as a result of elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. The anti-oxidant, oxygen radical scavenging activity of propolis (and its extracts) is mainly due to the presence of phenolics and flavonoids.               The beneficial effects of propolis in diabetes have been confirmed by a number of studies in experimental animals. For example, propolis given orally to rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats significantly decreased plasma insulin and insulin resistance, reduced glycated hemoglobin, suppressed elevated hepatic enzymes, and increased hepato-renal glutathione peroxidase levels. An ethanolic extract of propolis administered to STZ-induced diabetic rats, reversed body and kidney weight loss, improved serum glucose and lipid profile, and renal function tests, as well as decreased oxidative damage [increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione, catalase and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA)] in the renal and pancreatic tissue. Similar results were obtained by us using Moroccan propolis in STZ-diabetic rats and diabetic 2 rats. The protective role of propolis against the ROS induced damages in diabetic rats and nephrotoxicity models gives hope that they may have similar protective action in humans.               These studies in humans and in experimental model of diabetes in rats, provide a basis for therapeutic use of beehive products. Furthermore, several studies, including ours, have revealed that the observed beneficial effects of beehive products may be as a result of synergistic action of several constituents.

___

  • .
Journal of Apitherapy and Nature-Cover
  • Yayın Aralığı: Yılda 2 Sayı
  • Başlangıç: 2018
  • Yayıncı: Oktay YILDIZ
Sayıdaki Diğer Makaleler

Chemical Profiling of Tropical Propolis: Challenges and New Data

Milana POPOVA, Boryana TRUSHEVA, Kristina GEORGIEVA, Vassya BANKOVA

Thirteen Flavonoids from Green Propolis from Minas Gerais, Brazil, Analyzed for Six Years

M. D. FREITAS, G. A. LOPES, N. A OLIVEIRA, B. M. ALMEIDA, S. R. L. ABREU, R. C. BASQUES, N. S. BINDA, S. M. FIGUEIREDO

The Impact of Honeybee Origin on the Quality of Propolis

Gomes da Silva CAHANGO, Soraia I. FALCÃO, Miguel VILAS-BOAS

The Biological Activities of Indonesian Propolis and It’ s Molecular Marker

Muhamad SAHLAN, Diah Kartika PRATAMI, Safira Candra ASIH, Andrea DEVINA, Alfiani Guntari MAHADEWI, Masafumi YOHDA, Siti FARIDA, Robiatul ADAWIYAH, Herbert SITUMORANG, Heri HERMANSYAH, Anondho WIJANARKO

Comparative Study of Commercial Propolis Based Products – Antibacterial Activity and Bioactive Compounds

Mihaela NICULAE, Laura STAN, Adriana URCAN, Timea DOMOKOS, Daniel S. DEZMIREAN, Otilia BOBIS

Antituberculosis Activity of Propolis

Jarosław WIDELSKI, Joanna GOLUS, Piotr OKIŃCZYC, Rafał SAWICKI, Grażyna GINALSKA, Tomasz MROCZEK, Zuriyadda SAKIPOVA, İoanna CHINOU, Krystyna SKALICKA-WOŹNIAK

Differences in Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Three Propolis Samples Collected in the Same Apiary

Ana Sofia P. FREITAS, Ana João P. GOMES, Ana CUNHA, Rui P. S. OLIVEIRA, Cristina ALMEIDA-AGUIAR

Interaction of Artepillin C with Model Membranes: Optical Absorption and Fluorescence Spectroscopy Studies

İsamara Julia CAMURI, Adriano Batista COSTA, Wallance Moreira PAZIN, Amando Siuiti ITO

The Influence of Propolis on Liver Pathology in Broilers

Maja MISKULIN, Ivana KLARIC, Matija DOMACINOVIC, Berislav PRAKATUR, Albina DUMIC, Daniela Cacic KENJERIC, İvan MISKULIN

Phenolic Compounds of Spain Propolis

Félix ADANERO-JORGE, M Camino GARCÍA-FERNÁNDEZ, Rosa M VALENCIA-BARRERA, J. Javier SANZ-GÓMEZ