ReviewCurrent microbiology2025
Anti-bacterial Properties of Propolis: A Comprehensive Review.
Review in Current microbiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Dual action of herbal compounds inFrontiers in immunology · 2026Review
- Rapid Chromatographic and Spectroscopic Analysis of Extracted Raw Propolis.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Propolis Exerts Antibiofilm Activity Against Methicillin-ResistantMicroorganisms · 2025Article
- Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Wound-Healing Activities and Chemical Characterization of Propolis fromMolecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Propolis, a resinous substance collected by bees from plant sources, possesses a complex chemical composition rich in flavonoids (galangin, chrysin, quercetin), phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic, cinnamic acid derivatives), and other bioactive compounds like artepillin C and coumaric acid. These constituents confer broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Mechanistically, propolis exerts antibacterial effects through multiple pathways: inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, disrupting membrane integrity (causing ion leakage and ATP depletion), and blocking nucleic acid synthesis by targeting DNA gyrase and topoisomerase II. It also inhibits biofilm formation. Flavonoids interfere with bacterial enzymes and DNA synthesis, while artepillin C modulates inflammatory pathways, such as NF-κB, reducing prostaglandin and nitric oxide production. Propolis demonstrates synergistic effects with conventional antibiotics, enhancing their efficacy against drug-resistant strains by increasing membrane permeability and inhibiting resistance enzymes. This suggests potential for reduced antibiotic dosages and side effects, though clinical validation is still required to optimize such combinations. However, the therapeutic application of propolis faces key challenges. Its chemical composition varies by geographic origin, botanical source, and bee species complicating standardization. Extraction methods also affect the yield and potency of active compounds. Clinical data are limited, especially regarding long-term safety in immunocompromised individuals and risks of allergic reactions. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics and molecular targets of propolis remain incompletely understood, underscoring the need for rigorous research to standardize formulations and define effective and safe therapeutic protocols.
Indexed as
Identifiers
40858917What 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.