Propolis
Propolis has been studied in 7 papers since 2016: 1 trial in people, 6 reviews; 2 in the past year. The newest paper, Mar 3, 2026: “Propolis in Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders: Mechanistic and Clinical Insights-A Scoping Review”.
“The level of serum adiponectin in the PLA group did not change after the intervention (pre: 7.9 (3.3–11.1) μg/mL, post: 5.8 (2.5–9.9) μg/mL; p = 0.145), but significantly increased in the PRO group (pre: 5.3 (2.8–10.0) μg/mL, post: 9.0 (3.8–10.6) μg/mL; p = 0.007; a).”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 3 countries
- Funders: Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research and 6 more
- Human trial1
Studies in people
1 study gave propolis to people and measured what changed.
up: Increases adiponectinpre: 5.3 (2.8–10.0) μg/mL, post: 9.0 (3.8–10.6) μg/mL vs pre: 7.9 (3.3–11.1) μg/mL, post: 5.8 (2.5–9.9) μg/mL
down: Decreases d-ROMspre: 385.6 ± 111.8 U.CARR, post: 365.7 ± 10.5 U.CARR vs pre: 374.5 ± 8.9 U.CARR, post: 402.4 ± 12.5 U.CARR
Randomized trial78 peoplefemalesaged 65 years or older12 weeks
Healthy postmenopausal elderly females
Nutrients, Jan 11, 2023
What did studies of Propolis find?
7Studies of Propolis measured 7 outcomes; the most studied are d-ROMs (1 study), adiponectin (1) and inflammation (1).
d-ROMs
downin humans1
1 study
d-ROMs
downin humans1
Propolis decreases d-ROMs in humans (pre: 385.6 ± 111.8 U.CARR, post: 365.7 ± 10.5 U.CARR vs pre: 374.5 ± 8.9 U.CARR, post: 402.4 ± 12.5 U.CARR).
“The blood level of d-ROMs in the PLA group significantly increased (pre: 374.5 ± 8.9 U.CARR, post: 402.4 ± 12.5 U.CARR; p < 0.001), but significantly decreased in the PRO group (pre: 385.6 ± 111.8 U.CARR, post: 365.7 ± 10.5 U.CARR; p = 0.013; b).”
Human trial12 weeksfemalesn = 78
Nutrients
Propolis decreases d-ROMs in humans.
“whereas that of the PRO group significantly decreased”
Human trialcapsulesserum12 weeksfemalesn = 53
Nutrients
Adiponectin
upin humans1
1 study
Adiponectin
upin humans1
Propolis increases adiponectin in humans (pre: 5.3 (2.8–10.0) μg/mL, post: 9.0 (3.8–10.6) μg/mL vs pre: 7.9 (3.3–11.1) μg/mL, post: 5.8 (2.5–9.9) μg/mL).
“The level of serum adiponectin in the PLA group did not change after the intervention (pre: 7.9 (3.3–11.1) μg/mL, post: 5.8 (2.5–9.9) μg/mL; p = 0.145), but significantly increased in the PRO group (pre: 5.3 (2.8–10.0) μg/mL, post: 9.0 (3.8–10.6) μg/mL; p = 0.007; a).”
Human trial12 weeksfemalesn = 78
Nutrients
Propolis increases adiponectin in humans.
“that of the PRO group significantly increased”
Human trialcapsulesserum12 weeksfemalesn = 53
Nutrients
Inflammation
downin reviews1
1 study
Inflammation
downin reviews1
Propolis inhibits inflammation.
“attenuation of inflammatory signaling”
Reviewin obesity-related preclinical models
Nutrients
Total cholesterol
no changein humans1
1 study
Total cholesterol
no changein humans1
Propolis has no effect on total cholesterol in humans.
“without significantly affecting the levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.”
Reviewtype 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndromen = 736
Clinical nutrition research
Triglyceride
downin humans1
1 study
Triglyceride
downin humans1
Propolis decreases triglyceride in humans (WMD -25.40 mg/dL (95% CI -44.21 to -6.59, P=0.008)).
“Propolis supplementation significantly reduced FBS (WMD, -12.08 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval [CI], -19.13 to -5.04; P=0.001) and triglyceride (TG) levels (WMD, -25.40 mg/dL; 95% CI, -44.21 to -6.59; P=0.008)”
Reviewtype 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndromen = 736
Clinical nutrition research
Fasting blood glucose
downin humans1
1 study
Fasting blood glucose
downin humans1
Propolis decreases fasting blood glucose in humans (WMD -12.08 mg/dL (95% CI -19.13 to -5.04, P=0.001)).
“Propolis supplementation significantly reduced FBS (WMD, -12.08 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval [CI], -19.13 to -5.04; P=0.001)”
Reviewtype 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndromen = 736
Clinical nutrition research
Body fat mass
downin humans1
1 study
Body fat mass
downin humans1
Propolis decreases body fat mass in humans.
“they showed a significant decline in the PRO group”
Human trialcapsules12 weeksfemalesn = 53
Nutrients
What is Propolis linked with?
1Studies link Propolis with 1 measure, most often body weight (1 study).
Body weight
mixedin humans1
1 study
Body weight
mixedin humans1
Propolis is associated with body weight in humans.
“effects on body weight and adiposity remain inconsistent”
Reviewin clinical studies
Nutrients