Propolis, Bee Honey, and Their Components Protect against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Review of In Silico, In Vitro, and Clinical Studies

Ali AM, Kunugi H · Molecules · 2021 February 25

Objective

To investigate the potential anti-COVID-19 effects of bee honey and propolis as prophylactic or adjuvant treatments for people infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions

The study concludes that bee honey and propolis, rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, exhibit strong antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities, and may inhibit viral spike fusion, viral-host interactions, and viral replication, making them beneficial in the treatment of COVID-19.

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Insights

Bee honey and propolis could have potential beneficial effects as supporting treatments for COVID-19, enhancing immunity and inhibiting viral activity.

The study's methodology involved a comprehensive review of the literature on the potential anti-COVID-19 effects of bee honey and propolis, products known for their strong antimicrobial and antioxidant abilities. The researchers conducted molecular simulations to see how various flavonoids found in these products might inhibit essential viral processes. Additionally, they compared the effectiveness of propolis extracts delivered by nanocarriers to ethanolic extracts, and they examined the effects of a combination of honey and propolis on hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The findings from the review and simulations suggested that certain flavonoids in honey and propolis may inhibit the fusion of the virus spike with host cells, interactions that cause a cytokine storm, and viral replication. Propolis ethanolic extract, rutin, and propolis liposomes displayed inhibitory action against non-structural proteins of the virus in vitro while naringin inhibited viral infection in specific cells. When delivered via nanocarriers, propolis extracts showed enhanced antiviral effects against the virus compared to ethanolic extracts. Observations of hospitalized patients suggested that those treated with green Brazilian propolis or a honey-propolis combination experienced quicker viral clearance, symptom recovery, and hospital discharge, along with lower mortality rates.