According to a research by Dr. Ali F. M. from the Ain Shams University in Egypt, propolis appears to be effective in treating infertility associated with mild endometriosis. In a small randomized trial, the scientist found that bee propolis is an effective line of treatment for infertility with no reported side effect.
The Study
Presented at the 59th annual meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine in San Antonio, Texas (Oct 13 2003), the researcher studied 40 female patients for more than 2 years.These patients were to receive 500 mg of propolis twice daily or a placebo and this regime is continued for more than half a year.The study showed that among those who took propolis, 60 % became pregnant compared to 20% in those taking the placebos.This research is still considered small trial but is a promising start for the medical community to do more research on the ability of propolis in treating infertility.
Treating Periodontitis with Propolis
The Study
Four patients, a 36 year old male and 3 females (42, 46, 51 years) with dental calculus, gingivitis, oedema, bleeding, gingival recession, pocket depths, attachment loss, suppuration, tooth mobility and alveolar bone loss were treated using Brazilian propolis gel treatment .At the same time, dental brushing and mouth washing with propolis solution daily was also carried out through during their 5 weeks treatment. The results shown a regression of 95% gingivitis and suppuration in all the teeth irrigated with Brazilian propolis, as well as a pocket depths reduction in all unsubmitted and submitted teeth.
The Conclusion
The results suggested that 10% Brazilian Propolis gel could be used as an alternative therapeutic method for the treatment of chronic teeth problems. However, further research with greater number of test subjects are needed before propolis can be established as an alternative approach for peridontal infectious conditions.
Researchers: Renata Cairo do Amaral, Rafael Tomaz Gomes, Wellington Márcio Santos Rocha, Sheila Lemos Rago Abreu, Vagner Rodrigues Santos.
Laboratory of Microbiology and Biomaterials, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Effect of propolis on human cartilage and chondrocytes
Introduction
Propolis, a natural product derived from plant resins collected by the honeybees, has been used for thousands of years in folk medicine for several purposes. The extract that contains amino acids, phenolic acids, phenolic acid esters, flavonoids, cinnamic acid, terpenes and caffeic acid, possesses several biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory, anti-viral and anti-bacterial.
The Study
In this study, we assay the effects of propolis extract on the production of key molecules released during chronic inflammatory events as nitric oxide (NO) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in cultures of human cartilaginous tissues and chondrocytes, stimulated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). We observed that this natural compound and its active principle, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), were able to contrast the harmful effects of IL-1beta. Our data clearly demonstrated the protective action of propolis in cartilage alteration, that appears greater than that elicited by indomethacin, commonly employed in joint diseases.
Authors: Cardile V; Panico A; Gentile B; Borrelli F; Russo A
Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Catania, v.le A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
Journal: Life Sciences
Issue: 2003; 73(8):1027-35
ISSN :0024-3205
Effects of propolis on herpes
The Objective & Methods Used
To test the inhibitory effect of propolis extract against herpes simplex viruses in vitro and in vivo.
- In vitro: propolis was added to Vero cells at various times and concentrations before, at or after infection with HSV-1.
- In vivo: the effect of propolis was tested in newborn rats infected s.c. or i.p. and on rabbit come as infected with HSV-1.
The Results
In vitro: 0.5% propolis extract caused 50% inhibition of HSV infection. There was indirect evidence for a strong interaction between the propolis extract and the surface of the Vero cells, but there was no direct interaction with HSV-1 particles. Administration of propolis before or at the time of infection yielded the most significant inhibitory effect, but even when 10% propolis extract was added 2 hours post-infection it gave 80-85% protection.
In vivo: As little as 5% propolis prevented the appearance and development of symptoms of local and i.p. HSV-1 infection in rats and of corneal HSV-1 infection in rabbits. There were no cytotoxic effects at a concentration of 10% in vitro or 20% in vivo.
Conclusion
The potent antiviral activity of propolis against HSV-1 infection in vitro and In vivo is probably due to prevention of virus absorption into the host cells and/or inhibition of an internal step(s) during the viral replication cycle.
Authors: Huleihel M; Isanu V
The Institute for Applied Biosciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. mahmoudh@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Journal: The Israel Medical Association journal
Issue: 2002; 4(11 Suppl):923-7
ISSN :1565-1088
Effect of propolis extract on malignant cell transformation by moloney murine sarcoma virus
Summary of Research:
An aqueous extract of propolis was found to significantly inhibit NIH/3T3 cell malignant transformation by Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MuSV-124). The inhibitory effect of propolis extract was most effective when it was added 2 h before infection or at the time of infection. The continuous presence of propolis extract in the culture medium was essential for full prevention of malignant cell transformation. When treatment with propolis extract was terminated, five to ten days post-infection, there was a significant recovery in cell transformation.
These results suggest that propolis extract inhibits a late step after provirus integration into the host genome. Addition of propolis extract after infection with MuSV significantly inhibited cell transformation. The inhibitory effect of propolis appeared to be the result of the inhibition of primary–not secondary–infections, since MuSV-124 yields a virus-nonproducing infection.
Authors: Huleihel M; Ishano V
The Institute for Applied Biosciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. mahmoudh@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Journal: Archives of Virology
Issue: Volume 146, Number 8 / August, 2001
Pages: 1517-1526
ISSN : 0304-8608 (Print) 1432-8798 (Online)
Propolis and it’s role against tumor in mice
Summary of Research:
BACKGROUND: Propolis has numerous biologic activities including antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. The present work is aimed to study the effect of crude Egyptian propolis on tumor in mice induced by Ehrlich ascitis carcinoma (EAC) cell line.
The Results
The administration of propolis (160 mg/kg body weight), by gastric intubation 2 h before the intraperitoneal injection of EAC, effectively inhibited tumor growth and the proliferation of EAC. The tumor volume was markedly reduced from 7+/-0.9 ml in EAC-infected mice to 1.6+/-0.95 ml in propolis-treated mice. Also, the lipid peroxide level which was 13.3+/-1.24 nmol malodialdehyde (MDA)/mg protein in EAC infected mice was significantly decreased to 3.3+/-2.1 nmol MDA/mg protein. Reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) concentrations were markedly increased in propolis-treated mice. This effect was associated with inhibition of cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis. Administration of propolis 2 h before injection of EAC arrested cells in G0/G1 phase and resulted in a decrease in the viability, DNA, total RNA and protein level of tumor cells.
Conclusions
Crude Egyptian propolis has a strong inhibitory activity against tumors. The anti-tumor mechanism may be mediated by preventing oxidative damage and induction of apoptosis.
Authors: El-khawaga OA; Salem TA; Elshal MF
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, Egypt. elkhawaga70s@mans.edu.eg
Journal: Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry
Issue: 2003; 338(1-2):11-6
ISSN :0009-8981
Propolis and it’s effects on fungus or candida
What is Candida?
Candida is a form of parasitic fungus which resemble yeasts and occur especially in the mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract. Though usually benign, they can become pathogenic, causing diseases including candidiasis and thrush.
The List of Studies on the Effects of Propolis on Candida
1) Effect of commercial ethanol propolis extract on the in vitro growth of Candida albicans collected from HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative Brazilian patients with oral candidiasis.
Authors:Martins RS; Péreira ES; Lima SM; Senna MI; Mesquita RA; Santos VR
Department of Clinical Pathology and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Minas Gerais Federal University, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Summary of Research:
The present study assessed the susceptibility of Candida albicans strains, collected from HIV-positive patients with oral candidiasis, to a commercial 20% ethanol propolis extract (EPE) and compare it to the inhibitory action of the standardized antifungal agents nystatin (NYS), clotrimazole (CL), econazole (EC), and fluconazole (FL).Twelve C. albicans strains collected from HIV-positive patients with oral candidiasis were tested. The inhibition zones were measured with a pachimeter and the results are reported as means and standard deviation (M +/- SD). Data were analyzed statistically by the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. EPE inhibited all the C. albicans strained tested. No significant difference was observed between the results obtained with NYS and EPE, while significant differences were observed between EPE and other antifungals.
The C. albicans strains tested showed resistance to the remaining antifungal agents. The propolis extract used in this study inhibited the in vitro growth of C. albicans collected from HIV-seropositive Brazilian patients, creating/forming inhibition zones like those ones formed by NYS. This fact suggests that commercial EPE could be an alternative medicine in the treatment of candidiasis from HIV-positive patients. However, in vivo studies of the effect of EPE are needed to determine its possible effects on the oral mucosa.
Journal: Juornal of Oral Science
Issue: 2002 Mar;44(1):41-8.
2) Seasonal Effect of Brazilian Propolis on Candida albicans AND Candida tropicalis
Authors: J. M. SFORCIN,A. FERNANDES JÚNIOR, C. A. M. LOPES, S. R. C. FUNARI, V. BANKOVA
1. Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil;
2 Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Summary of Research:
Recently, propolis has been attracting the attention of researchers due to various biological activities and therapeutic properties. In Brazil, propolis is produced all year long, so there may be some seasonal variations. This work was carried out in order to compare propolis collected during the four seasons by its in vitro antimicrobial activity on yeast pathogens isolated from human infections. Propolis was produced by africanized honeybees in Botucatu, São Paulo State, collected throughout a year and pooled by season. Hydroalcoholic solutions of propolis were prepared with each pool and diluted in agar, using serial concentrations of propolis from each pool. A determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed. The results show that Candida tropicalis and Candida albicans were susceptible to low concentrations of propolis, the latter showing a higher susceptibility. No differences were seen in relation to seasonal effects in the minimal inhibitory concentration of propolis.
Journal: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins
Issue: v.7 n.1 Botucatu 2001
3) Antifungal activity of propolis on different species of Candida
Authors: Claudia Ota, Carmelinda Unterkircher, Vera Fantinato, M. T. Shimizu
Dental School, UNESP, São José dos Campos, SP, University of Vale do Paraíba, IP & D, and Pharmacy School, São Francisco University, USF, Bragança Paulista, SP, Brasil.
Summary of Research:
Propolis is a resinous material collected by bees from the buds or other parts of plants. It is known for its biological properties, having antibacterial, antifungal and healing properties. The antifungal activity of propolis was studied in sensitivity tests on 80 strains of Candida yeasts: 20 strains of Candida albicans, 20 strains of Candida tropicalis, 20 strains of Candida krusei and 15 strains of Candida guilliermondii. The yeasts showed a clear antifungal activity with the following order of sensitivity: C. albicans>C. tropicalis>C. krusei>C. guilliermondii. Patients with full dentures who used a hydroalcoholic propolis extract showed a decrease in the number of Candida.
Journal: Mycoses
Issue: Volume 44 Issue 9-10 Page 375 – November 2001
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