Nutritional and Therapeutic potential of Propolis: A Review

Propolis is resinous waxy natural product derived from honey bee combs. The aim of this study was to review the nutritional and therapeutic potential of propolis so as to provide basic data required for further detailed investigation of propolis. Chemical analysis data reported showed presence of phenolic compounds, esters, flavonoids, terpenes, beta-steroids, aromatic aldehydes and alcohols, sesquiterpenes, and stilbene terpenes and more than 300 chemical compounds. Pharmacological studies revealed that different extracts of propolis is possess antiviral, anti inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-ulcer traditionally. It is also used as nutritional and functional food ingredient. Propolis possesses tremendous nutritional and therapeutic potential and it is worldwide reported in various natural or traditional systems. In this study, propolis characteristic, nutritional value, therapeutic potential and various issues reported in formulation development for improvement of physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of propolis has been reviewed.