The antibacterial properties of bee propolis have been proven in hundreds of in-vitro experiments. Regardless of its chemical diversity and its various origins, researchers can find this effect in any samples, thus, makes it deserve the spot in my Top 5 Bee Propolis Benefits.
Various studies report that this antibacterial mechanism is not as simple as they thought before. This phenomenon has been confirmed by many researchers who worked on the same topic, such as Scheller[1] and Krol[2].
When they examined it deeper, this antibacterial effect comes to existence due to harmonic works between various flavonoids compounds, aromatic acids and esters[3][4][5], such galangin, pinocembrin and pinostrobin[4].
Aside from those, ferulic acid and caffeic acid also contribute to its bactericidal action[5]. In the year of 1994, this antibacterial mechanism was finally explained through Takaisi-Kikuni and Schilcher’s work. They found that it has these following capabilities[6]:
Aside from those, ferulic acid and caffeic acid also contribute to its bactericidal action[5]. In the year of 1994, this antibacterial mechanism was finally explained through Takaisi-Kikuni and Schilcher’s work. They found that it has these following capabilities[6]:
1) Suppressesing bacteria cell development by blocking their cell mitosis and the process of protein synthesis. This makes any kind of bacteria lost its capability to grow and prevent them from doing any reproduction.
2) Directly destructing bacteria cells through: disarraying their cell cytoplasm,cell membranes, and also their cell walls and triggering partial bacteriolysis (dissolution of bacteria’s cell).
Reference:
- Scheller S, Ilewicz L, Luciak M, Skrobidurska D, Stojko A, Matuga W (1978)Biological properties and clinical application of propolis IX. Arzneim-Forsch Drug Res 28, 289-291
- Krol W, Scheller S, Shani J, Pietsz G, Czuba Z (1993) Synergistic effect of ethanolic extract of propolis and antibiotics on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus.Arzneim-Forsch Drug Res 43, 607-609
- Debuyser E (1983) La propolis. Docteur en Pharmacie Thesis, Université de Nantes, France, 82 pp
- Meresta L, Meresta T (1985/1986) Bee propolis antibacterial activity of flavonoid compounds occurring in flora in Poland. Bull Vet Inst Pulawy 28-29, 61-63, Apic Abstr (1990) 41, 1345
- V.Dimov, N.Ivanovska , Bankova, Nikolov, S.Popov (1992) Immunomodulatory activity of bee propolis: IV. Prophylatic (preventice medication) properties contra Gram-negative infections and water-soluble derivative adjuvant effect . Vaccine 10, 817-823
- Takaisi-Kikuni NB and Schilcher H. Electron microscopic and microcalorimetric identified possibility of how bee propolis antibacterial effect works in a defined condition. Planta Med., 60 (3): 222-227, 1994.
