A New Approach to Atopic Dermatitis Control with Low-Concentration Propolis-Loaded Cold Cream

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is difficult to treat. Traditional cold cream, a water-in-oil emulsion made from beeswax, is used to alleviate AD symptoms in clinical practice, although its effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. The addition of propolis has the potential to impart anti-inflammatory properties to cold cream. However, in high concentrations, propolis can trigger allergic reactions. Thus, the objective of this work was to develop a cold cream formulation based on purified beeswax containing the same amount of green propolis present in raw beeswax. The impact of adding this low propolis concentration to cold cream on AD control was evaluated in patients compared to cold cream without added propolis (CBlank). Raw beeswax was chemically characterized to define the propolis concentration added to the propolis-loaded cold cream (CPropolis). The creams were characterized as to their physicochemical, mechanical, and rheological characteristics. The effect of CPropolis and CBlank on the quality of life, disease severity, and skin hydration of patients with AD was evaluated in a triple-blind randomized preclinical study. Concentrations of 34 to 120 ng/mL of green propolis extract reduced TNF-α levels in LPS-stimulated macrophage culture. The addition of propolis to cold cream did not change the cream’s rheological, mechanical, or bioadhesive properties. The preclinical study suggested that both creams improved the patient’s quality of life. Furthermore, the use of CPropolis decreased the disease severity compared to CBlank.

Recent Update on the Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Propolis

“…When the monocytes were challenged with MAGE-1 or LPS, propolis inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory TNF-α and IL-6 and up-regulated the anti-inflammatory IL-10 [ 12 ]. Others studies have also confirmed the efficacy of propolis extracts from various geographical locations in reducing the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in macrophage, LPS induced-THP-1,monosodium urate crystals (MSU)-activated THP-1 cells, and LPS-induced human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PMBC) cell cultures [ 13 , 14 , 16 , 19 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 28 ].…”

Therapeutic potential of propolis in alleviating inflammatory response and promoting wound healing in skin burn

“…The presence of acacetin flavonoids is responsible for propolis' anti‐inflammatory activities according to (Ramos & Miranda, 2007). Several studies have also shown that artepillin C is one of the bioactive compounds found in propolis that affects inflammatory processes (Cardoso et al, 2022; Kashiwakura et al, 2021; Kitamura et al, 2018; Martin et al, 2021; Mikami et al, 2021).…”

Ethanolic extract of propolis from Indonesian stingless bee (Tetragonula biroi) is ineffective against ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae: An in vitro study and a brief review of propolis antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity.

“…It has been shown that CAPE also promotes wound healing by accelerating wound healing phase to maturation phase [9]. Propolis demonstrates promising potential as a therapeutic agent for wound healing in the context of burns [24] and eczema [30].…”