Propolis Science

05/29/2026

05/25/2026

Bees do so much for us, and we can do something to help them out in return.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/3028465744027624

05/21/2026

CAPE, a natural substance found in bee propolis, was shown in a recent study to slow down the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms. It does this by reducing inflammation and stopping certain cells from changing in harmful ways, mainly by blocking a cell‑signaling process called the NF‑κB pathway.

Background In our previous animal experiments, we found that caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) inhibited the early formation of elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in rats. However, its efficacy in the angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced AAA model and the underlying mechanism remain uncl...

05/21/2026

Ginseng-Fortified Bee Products for Male Fertility and Disease Resistance

Ginseng-fortified bee products combine the bioactive compounds of Panax ginseng—especially ginsenosides—with the rich nutritional and medicinal components of bee products such as honey, propolis, royal jelly, and bee pollen. This synergy may offer a novel nutraceutical strategy to support male fertility and enhance broad-spectrum disease resistance.

05/21/2026

Preclinical Studies on Sericin–Propolis Polymeric Nanoparticles for Anticancer Therapy
Recent preclinical research has explored sericin (a natural protein created by the domesticated silkworm)–propolis polymeric nanoparticles as a promising anticancer platform, particularly for colorectal cancer, by combining the biocompatible, biodegradable properties of sericin with the bioactive compounds of propolis.

The present work aimed to assess the potential effect of sericin/propolis/fluorouracil nanoformula against colorectal cancer (CRC) (the fourth most common cause of cancer-related mortalities). A novel anti-cancerous formula of the synthesized ...

05/21/2026

Propolis-chitosan nanoparticles: a novel antimicrobial strategy for gut microbiota

Propolis-chitosan nanoparticles were developed as a natural, biocompatible antimicrobial strategy to help control harmful gut bacteria, leveraging propolis’ strong phenolic‑ and flavonoid‑driven antibacterial activity. The nanoparticles showed good stability and clear antibacterial effects against E. coli and E. faecalis, outperforming chitosan alone and suggesting potential use in probiotics, functional foods, and targeted gut‑microbiota therapies.
https://www.ijcce.ac.ir/article_735157.html

05/21/2026

This study developed a functional bilberry beverage enriched with propolis extracts and showed that the choice of solvent, extraction method, and extract concentration strongly shaped the drink’s nutritional and antioxidant profile. Water-based propolis extracts, especially those produced by the classic extraction method at higher concentrations, significantly boosted total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity while also altering color, pH, and sugar composition. Phenolic profiling revealed that water extracts preserved key bioactive compounds such as caffeic and p‑coumaric acids far better than propylene glycol blends, making them the most effective for enhancing functional value. Although the beverages did not exhibit antimicrobial activity, statistical and PCA analyses confirmed that darker, water-extracted, higher-ratio formulations delivered the strongest antioxidant performance and overall functional quality, demonstrating that propolis can successfully elevate bilberry drinks into high-value, health-promoting beverages.

This study developed a novel functional beverage by enriching a bilberry drink with propolis extracts and evaluating its physicochemical, antioxidant, antimicrobial and phenolic properties. Color p...

05/21/2026

3 Hidden Jobs Bees Are Doing in Your Garden That Most Gardeners Never Notice

Bees do far more in a garden than pollinate: many species quietly aerate the soil by tunneling underground, improving drainage and oxygen flow to plant roots for healthier, more resilient growth. They also sustain the broader ecosystem by enabling plants to produce the berries and seeds that feed birds, squirrels, and other wildlife, helping maintain a balanced, lively habitat. And beyond that, bees act as natural recyclers; leafcutter, mason, and other species repurpose leaves, stems, and plant resins to build and seal their nests, contributing to a continuous cycle of decomposition and renewal in the garden. Together, these hidden jobs make bees essential architects of soil health, biodiversity, and ecological balance.

Discover the hidden jobs bees are doing in your garden to help keep it healthy. It's so much more than pollinating plants, they also help aerate soil and more.