Skip to main content
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Pillser
Search
Sign UpLog In

Propolis supplementation can reduce serum level of interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-α: an updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis on randomized clinical trials.

  • 2024-08-10
  • Journal of health, population, and nutrition 43(1)
    • Ali Gholami
    • Negar Dinarvand
    • Mitra Hariri

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials; databases searched until October 2023; DerSimonian and Laird method used; heterogeneity assessed via Cochran's Q test and I-squared statistic

Background

New evidence suggested that propolis might reduce serum levels of inflammatory mediators; therefore, in this study we aimed to prove the potential effect of propolis on serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) through conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

Databases including PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of Science were searched until October 2023. In the present meta-analysis, we detected the overall effect sizes using extracted standard mean differences (SMD) and the standard deviations (SDs) from both study groups through DerSimonian and Laird method. Exploring the statistical heterogeneity was done through Cochran's Q test and I-squared statistic.

Results

In total, seventeen and sixteen studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. The overall estimate indicated that the propolis significantly reduced serum levels of IL-6 (SMD = -3.47, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): -5.1, -1.84; p < 0.001), CRP (SMD= -1.73, 95%CI: -2.82, -0.65; p = 0.002), and TNF-α (SMD= -1.42, 95%CI= -2.15, -0.68; p < 0.001). These results also revealed geographical region and propolis dose were the critical points to get the beneficial effects.

Conclusion

According to our result, propolis supplementation can decrease serum levels of IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α; therefore, it might be considered as complementary therapy for the treatment of certain chronic diseases.

Research Insights

  • Propolis→Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels

    The overall estimate indicated that the propolis significantly reduced serum levels of CRP (SMD= -1.73, 95%CI: -2.82, -0.65; p = 0.002)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    not specified in abstract
  • Propolis→Reduced Interleukin-6 Levels

    The overall estimate indicated that the propolis significantly reduced serum levels of IL-6 (SMD = -3.47, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): -5.1, -1.84; p < 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    not specified in abstract
  • Propolis→Reduced Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha

    The overall estimate indicated that the propolis significantly reduced serum levels of TNF-α (SMD= -1.42, 95%CI= -2.15, -0.68; p < 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    not specified in abstract
Back to top