Propolis has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory features. It also has protective effects in human chondrocyte cultures. These effects of propolis are associated to its constituents like pinocembrin, and caffeic acid phenethyl ester. The aim of this study was to expose the effects of propolis in terms of cartilage tissue protection on an experimental osteoarthritis model in rats. Twenty-eight Sprague Dawley rats divided into four equal groups (Arthrotomy: A, Surgical control: SC, Propolis 100: P1, and Propolis 200: P2). Following right knee arthrotomy the medial meniscus was removed in groups SC, P1 and P2. The surgical procedure was concluded after arthrotomy in Group A. A solution prepared from propolis extract was administered from the first day for five weeks by the orally in doses of 100 mg/kg/day to the rats in the P1 group and 200 mg/kg/day to the rats in the P2 group. At the end of the study, specimens taken from the medial tibial joints were assessed histologically based on the Mankin scoring system. Compared to the SC group the histological results from both of the groups receiving propolis treatment were significantly better (p<0.001 for both). However, there was no significant difference between the P1 and P2 groups (p=0.506).  In conclusion, propolis was observed to reduce cartilage degeneration in an experimental model of OA. We attribute this to the effect to the components that contained in propolis, such as pinocembrin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester.