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Pr5.5
Propolis Research
Likely helps
157 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Propolis appears to help in 7 of 7 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1979–2026 with a typical study size of 373 participants.
Based on 157 studies · 23 meta-analyses · 104 RCTs · 9,942 total participants
Immune supportEnhanced immune function and infection resistance · 2-4 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational16 studies
Therapeutic & clinical
Mostly mechanism / observational13 studies
Cholesterol & lipids
Mostly mechanism / observational10 studies
Wound & ulcer healing
Mostly mechanism / observational6 studies
Liver health
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Safety profile
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Heart & blood pressure
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Cold sores & HSV
Too few graded studies2 studies
Depression & mood
Too few graded studies1 study
Skin health
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 27 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
100%
across studies
People studied
9,942
typical study: 373 people
Strongest designs
127
23 pooled, 104 randomised
Showed benefit
100%
7/7 studies
How long studies ran
1–3 months
1
Populations Studied
Adults3
COVID-19 patients2
Head and neck cancer patients1
Type 2 diabetes patients with periodontitis1
Active research area
108 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026
197920022026
1IL-6 reductionMeta-Analysisn=1,139 · large study2024
In plain English: The propolis supplementation significantly reduced IL-6 (WMD = -2.48; 95 % CI: -4.62, -0.34; P = 0.023) and TNF-α (WMD = -0.86; 95 % CI: -1.45, -0.26; P = 0.005) compared with control groups.
Zhong-Yong L et al. · Prostaglandins & other lipid mediators (2024)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
The propolis supplementation significantly reduced IL-6 (WMD = -2.48; 95 % CI: -4.62, -0.34; P = 0.023) and TNF-α (WMD = -0.86; 95 % CI: -1.45, -0.26; P = 0.005) compared with control groups.
Although the CRP concentration was not reduced (WMD = 0.01; 95 % CI: -0.03, 0.05, P = 0.646), a significant reduction in CRP levels was revealed in supplementation durations ≥ 10 weeks.
These results suggest that propolis has a beneficial effect on TNF-α and IL-6 levels and may be an effective adjunctive therapy for diseases where inflammation is a key factor in the etiology.
9Mucositis severity scoresMeta-Analysisn=199 · medium study2022
In plain English: Though oral and topical antioxidants significantly improved mucositis severity scores in HNC patients receiving radiotherapy with/without chemotherapy in individual studies, the quality of the evidence was low due to the small number of studies and unclear/high-risk bias.
Raza A et al. · Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (2022)
Likely real
Included studies showed a statistically significant improvement in mucositis severity score for all antioxidants except melatonin.
Patients receiving vitamin E were 60% less likely to develop severe mucositis grade 2 or higher than those receiving placebo in one study (P = 0.040).
Patients receiving zinc were 95% less likely to develop severe mucositis (grades 3-4) in one study compared to placebo (P = 0.031).
In plain English: Antioxidants, particularly melatonin and propolis, enhance periodontal and glycemic outcomes in T2D-periodontitis patients.
Abdulla SA et al. · Clinical and experimental dental research (2025)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Adjunctive antioxidants significantly improved CAL (melatonin: SMD -2.28, 95% CI -3.01 to -1.56; propolis: SMD -3.83, -4.79 to -2.87) and PD (melatonin: SMD -2.40, -3.14 to -1.66; propolis: SMD -1.78, -2.44 to -1.11).
Melatonin and propolis also reduced HbA1c (melatonin: SMD -2.28; propolis: SMD -3.83).
Antioxidants, particularly melatonin and propolis, enhance periodontal and glycemic outcomes in T2D-periodontitis patients.
In plain English: These results suggest that bioactive compounds of plant-based foods and medicinal plants have promising effects in terms of preventing or treating CKD progression and appear to improve inflammation and antioxidant capacity and support cardiovascular benefits and renoprotective effects; however, it is recommended that further studies be carried out.
14Fasting plasma glucose reductionMeta-Analysisn=373 · medium study2019
In plain English: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that propolis supplementation may be effective in controlling glycemic levels for T2DM patients.
Karimian J et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2019)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
The results of the meta-analysis revealed significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (-13.51 mg/dl; 95% CI [-24.98, -2.04]) and hemoglobin A1C (-0.52%; 95% CI [-0.94, -0.10]) concentrations following propolis supplementation.
However, no significant lowering effect was observed in fasting insulin levels (-0.53 pmol/L; 95% CI [-1.69, 0.63]) or homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (-0.543; 95% CI [-1.72, 0.64]).
This systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that propolis supplementation may be effective in controlling glycemic levels for T2DM patients.
In plain English: Propolis supplementation significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and liver enzymes (ALT, AST) in a dose-response manner across 21 RCTs.
In plain English: Treatment with propolis improves general health and facilitates the activation of the immune system against coronavirus.
Sales-Peres SHC et al. · Brazilian oral research (2023)
The meta-analysis showed favorable results with the use of propolis on probing depth (95%CI: 0.92; p < 0.001), clinical attachment level (95%CI: 1.48; p < 0.001), gingival index (95%CI: 0.14; p = 0.03), plaque index (95%CI: 0.11; p = 0.23), and blending on probing (95%CI: 0.39; p < 0.001).
The antibacterial activity of propolis could be mediated through its direct action on microorganisms or the stimulation of the immune system, activating natural defenses.
Thus, propolis inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 as well as its bacterial activity.
In plain English: Although there are a number of promising indications, in view of the limited number and quality of studies and the variation in results among studies, this review highlights the need for additional well-designed trials to draw conclusions that are more robust.
Hwu YJ et al. · The journal of nursing research : JNR (2014)
The result of the meta-analysis indicated that, although propolis had an effect on reducing dental plaque, this effect was not statistically significant.
The results were not statistically significant for oral infection or stomatitis.
Although there are a number of promising indications, in view of the limited number and quality of studies and the variation in results among studies, this review highlights the need for additional well-designed trials to draw conclusions that are more robust.