The Role of Honey and Propolis in the Treatment of Infected Wounds

Abstract

PropolisPropolis (bee glue) is a beehive product prepared by bees of the Apis mellifera species, using resinous substances collected from various plants. 15,16 These substances are mixed with the β-glycosidase enzyme of their saliva, partially digested, and added to bee wax to form the final product.This product, commonly referred as a "natural antibiotic", has an important role in protecting, reinforcing and repairing the hives. In addition, any invaders are wrapped in propolis and die by asphyxia, then the bodies are preserved, which prevents the putrefaction of the honeycomb. 17À19 It is also a barrier to molds and yeasts, bacteria, viruses, and rain. Propolis is mainly composed of resins (50%), waxes (30%), essential oils (10%), pollen (5%), and other organic compounds (5%), among which are phenolic compounds, esters, flavonoids, terpenes, aromatic aldeydes and alcohols. 20À23 However, it is worth mentioning that this composition differs significantly with botanical and geographical origin and depends on climatic conditions, terrain, water availability and other environmental factors. 18,24À28 It has been reported that this product has several pharmacological properties, such as antibiotic, anti-neoplastic, anti-inflammatory, 26 anti-diarrheatic, antimicrobial, 29,30 antiviral, 31 antioxidant, 32 hepatoprotective, cardiostatic, 33 antitumoral, 23,34 anti-ulcerus and immunostimulatory activity. 35,36 Other studies highlight its efficiency as an anti-HIV-1, 37 anti-neurodegenerative 38 and anti-tuberculosis agent. 39 Due to these medicinal properties, propolis is generating increasing interest from the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries, and it is currently being introduced in products for human consumption, such as drinks and food additives. 32,40 PHENOLIC AND FLAVONOID COMPOUNDS HoneyPhenolic compounds are one of the most important groups of plant secondary metabolites, comprising at least 8000 different known structures. Their chemical structures range from simple phenolic molecules to high molecular weight polymers of approximately 30000 Da. 41 These compounds are reported to exhibit anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, anti-thrombotic, immune modulating, analgesic, antineoplatic behavior, antiviral activity, antiulcer properties, hormone, antibiotic and cardiovascular activities, among others, and exert these functions as antioxidant activities. 42,43 In addition, flavonoids inhibit lipid peroxidation, platelet aggregation, capillary permeability and the activity of enzyme systems including cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase. 10,44 The honey phenolics and the flavonoids present in honey are divided into three classes with similar structure; flavonols, flavones and flavanones. These are important due to their contribution to honey color, taste and flavor and also due to their beneficial effects on health. In honey, propolis and royal jelly, most of the phenolic compounds are present in the form of flavonoids, whose concentration depends on various factors, including the plant spe...

Back to the basics: Propolis and COVID ‐19

“…Be it alcoholic or aqueous, propolis extracts from temperate climate have been shown to possess a potent and broad-spectrum antiviral activity against a diverse panel of viruses such as HSV-1, HSV-2, Influenza virus type A and B, Parainfluenza virus, Adenovirus, HIV, infectious bursal disease virus, and avian reovirus, Newcastle virus disease, bovine rotavirus, pseudorabies virus, feline calicivirus, canine adenovirus type 2, and bovine viral diarrhea virus. [7][8][9][10][11] A 5% alcoholic propolis solution given intranasally 2 h before infection completely inhibited influenza virus proliferation in experimental animals. The preparation had no effect when given to mice already infected.…”

“…Be it alcoholic or aqueous, propolis extracts from temperate climate have been shown to possess a potent and broad‐spectrum antiviral activity against a diverse panel of viruses such as HSV‐1, HSV‐2, Influenza virus type A and B, Parainfluenza virus, Adenovirus, HIV, infectious bursal disease virus, and avian reovirus, Newcastle virus disease, bovine rotavirus, pseudorabies virus, feline calicivirus, canine adenovirus type 2, and bovine viral diarrhea virus 7‐11 …”

“…In addition, gargling is deemed to bring about favorable effects through removal of oral/pharyngeal protease which helps viral replication 5 . Several gargles/mouthwashes have been suggested for the reduction of viral load in the oral cavity: 0.2% chlorhexidine, 1% povidone iodine, 1.5% hydrogen peroxide, or 0.05% hypochlorous acid, essential oils, tap water, and propolis 6,7 . Unfortunately, evidence about the effectiveness of these products in prevention of respiratory viral infections is scarce.…”

Tissue repair in post extraction sockets of Cavia cobaya induced by a combination of propolis and graft

“…In addition, it was proved that propolis can also accelerate the wound healing process. Similarly, the article by Pascoal et al (2014) regarding the role of propolis in infected wounds explained that propolis can accelerate the wound healing process by stimulating the proliferation of keratinocytes.…”

Human Fatalities Caused by Hornet, Wasp and Bee Stings in Spain: Epidemiology at State and Sub-state Level from 1999 to 2018

“…The practice of harvesting wild bees for honey and wax, as well as hunting wasp colonies for brood and nests, survives in our day, although man has now become a beekeeper and an incipient wasp breeder. Beehive harvested products (honey, pollen, propolis, wax and venom) have been useful since ancient times, not only as food but also as treatment for medical conditions [3]. Wasps too are appreciated as nutritious food and their nests are used therapeutically in traditional medicine [4].…”