Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Propolis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Influences of the Geographical Origin and Phenotype
In brief
Oral propolis lowers key inflammatory markers in adults
In a meta-analysis of 18 randomized trials involving 498 people, daily propolis supplementation reduced high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha levels, while boosting antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase. However, the results were highly heterogeneous and judged low-certainty, so standardized trials are needed before routine use.
- Journal
- Complementary therapies in medicine (Q1)
- Published
- 4 August 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review / meta-analysis of RCTs
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1a)
- Authors
- Kwanyong Choi, Ji Yeon Kim
- PMID
- 42551575
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103410
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (top studies of the week, 9 August 2026).
- Picked for Biochemistry (medical) (top studies of the week, 9 August 2026).
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of oral propolis on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in adults and to explore whether these effects differ by clinical phenotype and propolis origin. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched up to August 2025 for randomized controlled trials comparing oral propolis with placebos. Evaluated outcomes included C-reactive protein (CRP), high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB). The certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. RESULTS: Eighteen trials involving 498 participants were included. Most studies used Iranian poplar-type or Brazilian propolis at 250 to 1500mg per day for 4 to 104 weeks. Pooled analyses indicated that propolis supplementation was associated with reductions in hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α levels, while CRP and IL-10 showed no significant changes. GPx, GSH, SOD, and TAC exhibited increases; however, these findings were accompanied by substantial heterogeneity and low certainty of evidence. Furthermore, MDA and PAB levels showed no statistically significant changes. CONCLUSIONS: Oral propolis may improve selected inflammatory and antioxidant biomarkers in adults, particularly hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and GPx levels. However, the evidence for several outcomes remains limited by substantial heterogeneity and low certainty. The current findings support a possible context-dependent effect according to the clinical phenotype and product characteristics, but more standardized trials are needed.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.