ReviewBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie2020
Propolis and its potential against SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanisms and COVID-19 disease: Running title: Propolis against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19.
Review in Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 110 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
The Use of the Standardized Brazilian Green Propolis Extract (EPP-AF) as an Adjunct Treatment for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
Investigation of Clinical Effectiveness of Propolis Extracts as Food Supplements in Patients With SARS-CoV-2(COVID-19)
Who cites it
110 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 269 citations in OpenAlex.
- Propolis supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Frontiers in nutrition · 2025Pooled it
- Regulation and therapy, the role of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in OA: a systematic review.Cell communication and signaling : CCS · 2023Pooled it
- Potential effects of propolis and honey in COVID-19 prevention and treatment: A systematic review of in silico and clinical studies.Journal of integrative medicine · 2022Pooled it
- Standardized Brazilian green propolis extract (EPP-AF®) in COVID-19 outcomes: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.Scientific reports · 2023Trial
- Efficacy of Brazilian green propolis (EPP-AF®) as an adjunct treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A randomized, controlled clinical trial.Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie · 2021Trial
- South Brazilian Amber Propolis: Chemical Profile, and Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Antileukemic Activities.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Antiviral and Anticancer Activities of Stingless Bee Propolis fromInternational journal of molecular sciences · 2026Article
- An exhaustive examination of the research progress in identifying potential JAK inhibitors from natural products: a comprehensive overview.Chinese medicine · 2025Review
- In vitro antiviral activities of thymol and Limonin against influenza a viruses and SARS-CoV-2.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Antiviral and anti-inflammatory efficacy of nanoencapsulated brazilian green propolis against SARS-CoV-2.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Does Green Brazilian Propolis Extract Improve Functional Capacity in Symptomatic Chronic Coronary Disease?-A Pilot Randomized Trial.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Nature's Remedies: Exploring the Potential of Propolis to Alleviate Non-Motor Manifestations of Parkinson's Disease.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Review
- Phytochemical-based nanosystems: recent advances and emerging application in antiviral photodynamic therapy.Nanomedicine (London, England) · 2025Review
- Lipids Fortified Nano Phytopharmaceuticals: A Breakthrough Approach in Delivering Bio-actives for Improved Therapeutic Efficacy.Pharmaceutical nanotechnology · 2025Review
- Assessing multi-target antiviral and antioxidant activities of natural compounds against SARS-CoV-2: an integrated in vitro and in silico study.Bioresources and bioprocessing · 2024Article
- The therapeutic potential of red beetroot (Food science & nutrition · 2024Article
- Oral Films Printed with Green Propolis Ethanolic Extract.Polymers · 2024Article
- Modulation of innate immunity related genes resulting in prophylactic antimicrobial and antiviral properties.Journal of translational medicine · 2024Article
- Patchouli Alcohol Protects the Heart against Diabetes-Related Cardiomyopathy through the JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
50 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors at 4 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Propolis, a resinous material produced by honey bees from plant exudates, has long been used in traditional herbal medicine and is widely consumed as a health aid and immune system booster. The COVID-19 pandemic has renewed interest in propolis products worldwide; fortunately, various aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanism are potential targets for propolis compounds. SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells is characterized by viral spike protein interaction with cellular angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and serine protease TMPRSS2. This mechanism involves PAK1 overexpression, which is a kinase that mediates coronavirus-induced lung inflammation, fibrosis, and immune system suppression. Propolis components have inhibitory effects on the ACE2, TMPRSS2 and PAK1 signaling pathways; in addition, antiviral activity has been proven in vitro and in vivo. In pre-clinical studies, propolis promoted immunoregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including reduction in IL-6, IL-1 beta and TNF-α. This immunoregulation involves monocytes and macrophages, as well as Jak2/STAT3, NF-kB, and inflammasome pathways, reducing the risk of cytokine storm syndrome, a major mortality factor in advanced COVID-19 disease. Propolis has also shown promise as an aid in the treatment of various of the comorbidities that are particularly dangerous in COVID-19 patients, including respiratory diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Standardized propolis products with consistent bioactive properties are now available. Given the current emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and limited therapeutic options, propolis is presented as a promising and relevant therapeutic option that is safe, easy to administrate orally and is readily available as a natural supplement and functional food.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.