Propolis and Reduced Plaque Index

Research synthesisModerate evidenceMixed effect size4 studies · 3 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 4 studies, 3 reported beneficial effects on plaque index, with effect sizes ranging from small to large (mixed). The most robust evidence comes from a 2024 RCT showing a large reduction in plaque index with 0.2% Propolis mouthwash in 45 patients with chronic gingivitis, while a 2023 meta-analysis found no significant effect (p=0.23). The median study duration was 21 days (from one study).

Studied populations: people with chronic gingivitis or periodontitis

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 4 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. One meta-analysis found no significant effect, conflicting with the positive RCT. The form of propolis (e.g., mouthwash, gel) varied across studies, making dose standardization difficult.

Generated Jul 18, 2026

Time to effect

Median: 3 weeks · IQR 3 weeks–3 weeks · Range 3 weeks–3 weeks — Reported in 1 of 4 studies

4 of 4 papersPopulation:

Comparative effectiveness of Propolis with chlorhexidine mouthwash on gingivitis - a randomized controlled clinical study.
- 2024-04-06
- RCT · n = 45
- BMC complementary medicine and therapies 24(1)
- - Shilpa Gunjal
  - Deepak Gowda Sadashivappa Pateel
- PubMed: 38582863
- DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04456-8
2 Insights on
- Reduced Plaque Index
- High evidence
- Clinical
Bonferroni post-hoc test showed statistically significant difference between Propolis and Chlorhexidine mouthwash (P < 0.001), with higher reduction in the mean plaque and gingival scores in propolis group compared to chlorhexidine and placebo groups.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Significant
Yes
Dose
0.2% Propolis mouthwash
Propolis effects in periodontal disease seem to affect coronavirus disease: a meta-analysis.
- 2023
- Meta-Analysis
- Brazilian oral research 37
- - Silvia Helena de Carvalho Sales-Peres
  - Lucas José de Azevedo-Silva
  - Ana Virginia Santana Sampaio Castilho
  - Marcelo Salmazo Castro
  - André de Carvalho Sales-Peres
  - Maria Aparecida de Andrade Moreira Machado
- PubMed: 37018812
- DOI: 10.1590/1807-3107bor-2023.vol37.0031
5 Insights on
- Reduced Plaque Index
- High evidence
The meta-analysis showed favorable results with the use of propolis on...plaque index (95%CI: 0.11; p = 0.23)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Comparison Between Natural Products and Chlorhexidine in Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.
- 2026-02-13
- Review
- Dentistry journal 14(2)
- - Andrea Scribante
  - Matteo Pellegrini
  - Maurizio Pascadopoli
  - Valentino Natoli
  - Valentina Poma
  - Andrea Butera
- PubMed: 41744948
- DOI: 10.3390/dj14020110
4 Insights on
- Reduced Plaque Index
- Low evidence
- Clinical
along with significant reductions in bleeding on probing (BoP) and plaque index (PI)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Clinical Applications and Therapeutic Potential of Nano-Bio Fusion Gel in Oral Soft Tissue Therapy: A Critical Narrative Review.
- 2026-05-14
- Review
- Gels (Basel, Switzerland) 12(5)
- - Gábor Kammerhofer
  - Ákos Tamás Nagy
  - Árpád Joób-Fancsaly
  - György Szmirnov
  - Ilona Szmirnova
  - Dániel Végh
  - Márton Kivovics
  - György Szabó
  - Zsolt Németh
- PubMed: 42196113
- DOI: 10.3390/gels12050429
11 Insights on
- Reduced Plaque Index
- Low evidence
- Clinical
NBF gel may provide clinical benefits as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy, with reported improvements in plaque and gingival indices
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes

Propolis and Reduced Plaque Index

Comparative effectiveness of Propolis with chlorhexidine mouthwash on gingivitis - a randomized controlled clinical study.

Propolis effects in periodontal disease seem to affect coronavirus disease: a meta-analysis.

Comparison Between Natural Products and Chlorhexidine in Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Clinical Applications and Therapeutic Potential of Nano-Bio Fusion Gel in Oral Soft Tissue Therapy: A Critical Narrative Review.