Propolis and Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels

Research synthesisModerate evidenceModerate effect3 studies · 3 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful

All 3 available studies (including 2 systematic reviews and 1 meta-analysis) report that propolis supplementation significantly reduces C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large. The most robust evidence comes from a 2025 systematic review of 12 RCTs in 731 participants with type 2 diabetes, showing a moderate beneficial effect (MD = -2.68, 95% CI: -3.48 to -1.89, p < 0.00001). Evidence is drawn exclusively from clinical and adult populations.

Studied populations: people with type 2 diabetes, adults

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Dose and study duration were not consistently reported, limiting precision in dosing recommendations.

Generated Jun 15, 2026

3 of 3 papersPopulation:

Propolis effects on blood sugar and lipid metabolism, inflammatory indicators, and oxidative stress in people with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- 2025-10-09
- Systematic Review · n = 731
- Frontiers in nutrition 12
- - Yihua Zhang
  - Shuo Ding
  - Wenjing Li
  - Xiumei Wang
  - Jie Lv
  - Qingmei Niu
  - Qian Zhang
- PubMed: 41141253
- DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1653730
12 Insights on
- Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
- High evidence
- Clinical
propolis significantly reduced C-reactive protein (CRP) (MD = -2.68, 95% CI: -3.48 to -1.89, p < 0.00001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Propolis supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- 2025-05-12
- Systematic Review
- Frontiers in nutrition 12
- - Hossein Bahari
  - Mostafa Shahraki Jazinaki
  - Mohsen Aliakbarian
  - Mohammad Rashidmayvan
  - Haniyeh Golafrouz
  - Iman Rahnama
  - Rozita Khodashahi
  - Mahsa Malekahmadi
- PubMed: 40421039
- DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1542184
12 Insights on
- Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
- High evidence
- Adults
propolis consumption led to a significant decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD: -1.23; 95%CI: -1.76, -0.69; p < 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
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
- Meta-Analysis
- Journal of health, population, and nutrition 43(1)
- - Ali Gholami
  - Negar Dinarvand
  - Mitra Hariri
- PubMed: 39127756
- DOI: 10.1186/s41043-024-00600-9
3 Insights on
- Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
- High evidence
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
Significant
Yes
Dose
not specified in abstract

Propolis and Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels

Propolis effects on blood sugar and lipid metabolism, inflammatory indicators, and oxidative stress in people with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Propolis supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

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.