Therapeutic Potential of Propolis in Preclinical Models of Cancer and Infectious Diseases: A Review

Abstract

Propolis is a complex, resinous substance originating from plant exudates and processed by bees, e.g., Apis mellifera L. Propolis is rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids. It exhibits broad biological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anticancer effects. This review summarizes recent findings on the therapeutic potential of propolis in preclinical models of cancer and infectious diseases, with a focus on its molecular mechanisms of action. Experimental data indicate that propolis and its active constituents can induce apoptosis, inhibit proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis of cancer cells, and modulate immune responses and microbial virulence. Despite promising in vitro results, in vivo studies remain limited, and their results are often inconsistent. The variability in chemical composition due to geographical and botanical factors, as well as the lack of standardized extracts, further impedes translational research. We highlight key molecular pathways affected by propolis and propose directions for future studies, including improved standardization and more rigorous in vivo results description. These efforts are essential to validate propolis as a potential booster or alternative therapeutic strategy in oncology and infectious diseases treatment.