Propolis has been used as a vaccine adjuvant for other vaccines, and it has been shown to trigger an earlier immune response as well as prolong the protection period of the vaccine. 

Santa Clara University

- Propolis is a compound produced by honey bees that has been widely used as an immune booster and antiviral compound. Multiple aspects of propolis demonstrate its potential as an effective treatment for Covid-19. 

Findings about use of Propolis as a therapeutic treatment for Covid-19

Berretta, A. A., Silveira, M., Cóndor Capcha, J. M., & De Jong, D. (2020). Propolis and its potential against SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanisms and COVID-19 disease: Running title: Propolis against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie, 131, 110622. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110622

Propolis and its potential against SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanisms and COVID-19 disease: Running title: Propolis against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19

Propolis led to the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-a, IL-6 and IL-1 beta.

Propolis leads to reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines

Propolis has helped function as a treatment for various comorbidities associated with high-risk of mortality from COVID-19: hypertension, diabetes, cancer and multiple respiratory diseases. 

Propolis is an effective adjuvant therapy for multiple COVID-19 patient comorbidities

An in silicon study conducted by Hashem and colleagues demonstrated that caffeic acid phenethyl ester, galangin, chrysin, and caffeic acid, all compounds that are found in propolis, are potential main protease inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2. The inhibition of the active site of the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 could theoretically act as an effective drug for SARS-CoV-2 treatment. 

Propolis Interacts with the Main Protease of SARS-CoV-2

Multiple compounds found in propolis-ruin and myricetin, hesperidia, chrysin and pinocembrin, and caffein acid, p-coumaric acid, and t-cinncamic acid were tested fro their ability to bind to ACE2. Through molecular docking evaluations, It was found that rutin was the most effective compound at binding to ACE2. This means propolis could potentially function as an ACE2 inhibitor, and prevent SARS-CoV-2 from binding to the ACE2 receptor.

Propolis can Potentially Prevent SARS-CoV-2 from Binding to ACE2

In a study about prostate cancer, kaempferol, a compound found in propolis, was associated with decreased expression of TMPRSS-which may interact with ACE2 and the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, kaempferol may be important for COVID-19 treatment. 

The potential for kaempferol in propolis to treat COVID-19

Propolis can block PAK-1, a pathogenic kinase. When abnormally activated, it plays a key role in the development of cancer, malaria and viral infections, inflammation and immune-suppression. Lung fibrosis, a symptom in COVID-19 patients, is a consequence of PAK-1 activation. 


 Propolis blocks PAK-1 and and can contributes to alleviation of COVID-19 symptoms 



Propolis can lead to the activation of phagocytosis, can increase the amount of antibodies and white blood cells in a person’s blood, as well as increase levels of IFN-y. 

Immunostimulatory Properties of Propolis

Propolis as a Potential COVID-19 Vaccine Adjuvant 

There are standardized propolis products available now in the form of oral pills and/or throat spray. 

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