The immunomodulatory effect of propolis: a review.

Summary Propolis has attracted the interest of the researchers’ in the last decades because of several biological and pharmacological properties, such as immunomodulatory, antitumoral, antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, among others (3). Propolis1containing products have been intensely marketed by the pharmaceutical industry and health1food stores (4). Propolis, sometimes called “nature’s penicillin”, is a complex mixture of mostly pollen and waxes that bees collect from plants and then use to sterilize, cement, and varnish the hives. Propolis also protects the colony from diseases because of its antiseptic efficacy and antimicrobial properties (19). It is rich in amino acids, trace minerals, flavonoids, and vitamin K. Although in preclinical studies propolis has been confirmed to be effective as antibacterial, antifungal, and anti1inflammatory, clinical studies are needed to confirm these roles and determine the therapeutic dosages and conditions for which it is best suited (8). There seem to be promising uses for propolis as an alternative antibiotic and anti1 inflammatory drug, especially due to lack of side effects encountered in other categories of medication.