Propolis: A Natural Substance with Multifaceted Properties and Activities

Simona Martinotti; Gregorio Bonsignore; Elia Ranzato

doi:10.3390/ijms26041519

Propolis: A Natural Substance with Multifaceted Properties and Activities

Simona Martinotti, Gregorio Bonsignore, Elia Ranzato

Department of Science and Technological Innovation

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

Propolis (bee glue) is a complex mixture of resins, waxes, and gums, and it is a resinous exudate manufactured by honey bees to maintain the integrity of the hive and defend against external threats. This multifunctional material exhibits several striking properties. The anti-inflammatory properties of propolis have made it a subject of traditional medicine over time, from ancient Egyptian mummification to modern complementary medicine. Propolis with rich phytochemicals, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. This review describes multiple properties and uses of propolis, highlighting the role of propolis as an exceptional natural resource with high therapeutic potential.

Original language	English
Article number	1519
Journal	International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume	26
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26041519
Publication status	Published - Feb 2025

Keywords

anti-inflammatory role
anticancer properties
cardiovascular disease
metabolic syndrome
propolis
rheumatoid arthritis

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.3390/ijms26041519

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title = "Propolis: A Natural Substance with Multifaceted Properties and Activities",

abstract = "Propolis (bee glue) is a complex mixture of resins, waxes, and gums, and it is a resinous exudate manufactured by honey bees to maintain the integrity of the hive and defend against external threats. This multifunctional material exhibits several striking properties. The anti-inflammatory properties of propolis have made it a subject of traditional medicine over time, from ancient Egyptian mummification to modern complementary medicine. Propolis with rich phytochemicals, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. This review describes multiple properties and uses of propolis, highlighting the role of propolis as an exceptional natural resource with high therapeutic potential.",

keywords = "anti-inflammatory role, anticancer properties, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, propolis, rheumatoid arthritis",

author = "Simona Martinotti and Gregorio Bonsignore and Elia Ranzato",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 by the authors.",

year = "2025",

month = feb,

doi = "10.3390/ijms26041519",

language = "English",

volume = "26",

journal = "International Journal of Molecular Sciences",

issn = "1661-6596",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Propolis

T2 - A Natural Substance with Multifaceted Properties and Activities

AU - Martinotti, Simona

AU - Bonsignore, Gregorio

AU - Ranzato, Elia

PY - 2025/2

Y1 - 2025/2

N2 - Propolis (bee glue) is a complex mixture of resins, waxes, and gums, and it is a resinous exudate manufactured by honey bees to maintain the integrity of the hive and defend against external threats. This multifunctional material exhibits several striking properties. The anti-inflammatory properties of propolis have made it a subject of traditional medicine over time, from ancient Egyptian mummification to modern complementary medicine. Propolis with rich phytochemicals, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. This review describes multiple properties and uses of propolis, highlighting the role of propolis as an exceptional natural resource with high therapeutic potential.

AB - Propolis (bee glue) is a complex mixture of resins, waxes, and gums, and it is a resinous exudate manufactured by honey bees to maintain the integrity of the hive and defend against external threats. This multifunctional material exhibits several striking properties. The anti-inflammatory properties of propolis have made it a subject of traditional medicine over time, from ancient Egyptian mummification to modern complementary medicine. Propolis with rich phytochemicals, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. This review describes multiple properties and uses of propolis, highlighting the role of propolis as an exceptional natural resource with high therapeutic potential.

KW - anti-inflammatory role

KW - anticancer properties

KW - cardiovascular disease

KW - metabolic syndrome

KW - propolis

KW - rheumatoid arthritis

U2 - 10.3390/ijms26041519

DO - 10.3390/ijms26041519

M3 - Review article

SN - 1661-6596

VL - 26

JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences

JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences

IS - 4

M1 - 1519

ER -

Propolis: A Natural Substance with Multifaceted Properties and Activities

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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