Use of propolis for skin wound healing: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Propolis is a natural resin that is produced by bees. It has anti-in ammatory and antibiotic properties, promotes reepithelization, and stimulates skin regeneration. Propolis has great potential for the development of new therapeutic approaches to treat skin ulcers. The present study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies of the use of propolis for the regeneration of cutaneous wounds and its e cacy as a therapeutic agent. Data were collected from articles in the PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases that were published since 1900 by searching the terms "propolis" AND "wound healing." This search yielded 633 articles, of which 43 were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The results showed that interest in the therapeutic e cacy of propolis has increased over the years. The studies reported that the resin was effective for the treatment of skin ulcers by promoting a higher percentage of healing than classically employed interventions. The mode of propolis application has also evolved. An increasing number of studies combined it with other substances and materials to achieve additive or synergistic effects on the skin regeneration process. Propolis appears to be an effective therapeutic alternative for the treatment of skin ulcers.

Anti-Inflammatory and Histological Analysis of Skin Wound Healing through Topical Application of Mexican Propolis

“…Recently, a systematic review and meta-analysis of more than 40 published studies found strong evidence that propolis is effective in the treatment of skin wounds, including difficult-to-heal ulcers found in patients with diabetes; in fact, propolis was shown to promote a higher percentage of healing than the interventions classically employed [25]. Another interesting aspect is that a large number of in vivo studies have combined propolis with other substances, such as honey, and different biomaterials (nanoparticles, nanofibrous, biocelullose membrane, hydrogel) to achieve additive or synergistic effects in the skin regeneration process [25,[57][58][59][60][61][62].…”

“…Given that wound healing is a complex event, in recent years, efforts have been made to discover a pro-healing agent that shortens the process, decreases cost, is easily available and has minimal side effects on the patient [7]. In this regard, propolis has been shown to be a promising alternative to promote tissue repair and has ideal therapeutic effects [24,25].…”

N,N-Dimethylglycine Sodium Salt Exerts Marked Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Various Dermatitis Models and Activates Human Epidermal Keratinocytes by Increasing Proliferation, Migration, and Growth Factor Release

“…Another skin condition where great potential for DMG-Na could be realized is the management of wound healing. Indeed, we found that DMG-Na stimulates proliferation and migration of epidermal keratinocytes, key events of re-epithelization after wounding [65,66]. Further, we also showed that DMG-Na upregulates the synthesis and release of VEGF and GM-CSF, positive master regulators of skin wound healing [67][68][69][70][71].…”

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

“…The wound healing process comprises hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation (re‐epithelialization), and remodeling (Li et al, 2017; Schultz et al, 2011). Propolis has been seen in several studies to help promote the re‐epithelialization of wounds (Gregory et al, 2002; Machado Velho et al, 2022; Olczyk, Komosinska‐Vassev, et al, 2013; Pessolato et al, 2011).…”