Propolis: chemical composition, biological properties and therapeutic activity

• Published in: Apidologie Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 83 - 99
• Main Author: Marcucci, M.C. (Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Bresil). Chemical Institute, Biological Chemistry Laboratory)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Les Ulis EDP Sciences 1995; Springer Verlag
• Subjects: Agricultural sciences; Animal biology; Animal production studies; ANTIBIOTIC PROPERTIES; Apidae; Apis mellifera; Biodiversity; Biological and medical sciences; CHEMICAL COMPOSITION; COMPOSE PHENOLIQUE; COMPOSICION QUIMICA; COMPOSITION CHIMIQUE; COMPUESTOS FENOLICOS; Ecology, environment; EFECTOS SECUNDARIOS; EFFET SECONDAIRE; General pharmacology; Hymenoptera; Invertebrate Zoology; Life Sciences; Medical sciences; MEDICINAL PROPERTIES; Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS; PROPIEDADES ANTIBIOTICAS; PROPIEDADES MEDICINALES; PROPOLEOS; PROPOLIS; PROPRIETE ANTIBIOTIQUE; PROPRIETE PHARMACOLOGIQUE; SIDE EFFECTS; Dermatology; Pharmacognosy; Stomatology; Gynecology; Propolis; Cytotoxicity; ENT; Dentistry; Biological activity; Antiprotozoal agent; Antifungal agent; Treatment; Plant origin; Antiviral; Chemical composition; Antibacterial agent
• ISSN: 0044-8435; 1297-9678
• DOI: 10.1051/apido:19950202

The plant sources and chemical composition of propolis are reviewed. The chemical constituents that may be relevant to its biological and therapeutic activity are discussed. The cytotoxic activity and antimicrobial and pharmacological properties of propolis are presented. Propolis components, which cause allergy and are responsible for anticancer activity, eg, caffeic acid derivatives, are reported. The therapeutic efficacy of propolis in treating diseases caused by microorganisms is described. Some recent concepts about propolis and its use in medicine are presented.