The multifaceted therapeutic potential of propolis: an integrative report on its pharmacological properties and emerging advances

• Published in: Discover applied sciences Vol. 7; no. 9; pp. 962 - 11
• Main Authors: Ballouk, Muhammed Al-Huda, Altinawi, Mohamed, Fudalej, Piotr S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.09.2025; Springer Nature B.V; Springer
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Antimicrobial agents; Antioxidants; Apiculture; Apitherapy; Applied and Technical Physics; Bacteria; Bioavailability; Biocompatible materials; Biotechnology; Brief Report; Chemical composition; Chemistry/Food Science; Chronic illnesses; Clinical trials; Complementary therapies; Complexity; COVID-19; Delivery of health care; Dentistry; DNA methylation; Drug resistance; Earth Sciences; Engineering; Environment; Enzymes; Epigenetics; Exudates; Flavonoids; Growth factors; Immunomodulation; Kinases; Mass spectrometry; Materials Science; Medicine; Multidrug resistant organisms; Nanotechnology; Natural products; Neuroprotection; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Patient safety; Pharmacology; Phytochemicals; Precision medicine; Production methods; Propolis; Proteins; Quality control; Resins; Staphylococcus infections; Toxicity; Wound healing; Complementary therapies; Medicine; Pharmacy; Propolis; Biocompatible materials; Delivery of health care; Dentistry; Apitherapy
• ISSN: 3004-9261; 2523-3963; 3004-9261; 2523-3971
• DOI: 10.1007/s42452-025-07648-0

Propolis, a resinous apicultural product by honeybees collected from botanical exudates, has been traditionally used in folk medicine and has recently garnered substantial scientific interest due to its diverse pharmacological properties. This report examines the chemical complexity, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities of propolis. Emphasis is placed on the most recent technological and therapeutic advances, including nanobiotechnological formulations, molecular targeting in oncology, immunomodulation in viral infections, neuroprotective potential, and biotechnological production methods. Challenges and limitations related to standardization and clinical translation of propolis applications are also discussed, highlighting the future directions for propolis research as a promising natural therapeutic agent. Highlights Propolis is a complex natural product with a highly variable chemical composition that underpins its broad-spectrum beneficial effects. Recent innovations include nanotechnology-based delivery systems and biotechnological production methods that enhance propolis’s bioavailability and therapeutic potential. Cutting-edge research has expanded propolis’s medicinal roles into highlighting its versatility in modern medicine. Future efforts should focus on personalized medicine approaches and large-scale randomized controlled studies to fully realize propolis’s clinical utility.