The Effects of Propolis on Human Health

Abstract

Propolis is a natural substance that honey bees collect from various plants such as poplar, palm, pine, conifer secretion, gum, resin, mucilage and leaf buds. Propolis gets its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties from its phytochemical content. The health-promoting mechanism of propolis appears to be related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The antioxidant activity of propolis is one of the most well-known properties. Flavonoids in propolis scavenge free radicals and protect the cell against lipid peroxidation. Propolis and its components prevent oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and reducing lipid peroxidation. The first of the antibacterial effects of propolis is related to the direct action on the microorganism, the other to the stimulation of the immune system, which leads to the activation of the organism's natural defence system. The main components of propolis that offer anti-tumour potential are caffeic acid, phenethyl ester, chrysin, artepillin C, nemoroson, galangin, cardanol. These compounds are implicated in various genetic and biochemical pathways in cancer progression. At the same time, propolis has been thought to improve the inflammatory response in Covid-19 infection. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a propolis component, is also known as an immunomodulating agent and helps reduce the excessive inflammatory response.

Keywords

• Antioxidant
• Total phenolic content
• CAPE
• Covid-19

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