Does propolis have any effect on rheumatoid arthritis? A review study

• Published in: Food science & nutrition 2022-04, Vol.10 (4), p.1003-1020
• Main Authors: Nattagh‐Eshtivani, Elyas, Pahlavani, Naseh, Ranjbar, Golnaz, Gholizadeh Navashenaq, Jamshid, Salehi‐Sahlabadi, Ammar, Mahmudiono, Trias, Nader Shalaby, Mohammed, Jokar, Mohammadhassan, Nematy, Mohsen, Barghchi, Hanieh, Havakhah, Shahrzad, Maddahi, Mona, Rashidmayvan, Mohammad, Khosravi, Maryam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antioxidants; Arthritis; Atherosclerosis; Autoimmune diseases; Beehives; Cartilage; Chronic illnesses; Clinical trials; Cytokines; Dietary supplements; Disease; Drug dosages; Herbal medicine; Immune system; Inflammation; Interleukins; Joint diseases; Lipids; Mortality; Oxidative stress; Pathogenesis; Propolis; Reactive oxygen species; Review; Rheumatoid arthritis; Search engines; Supplements; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF
• ISSN: 2048-7177; 2048-7177
• DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.2684

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in its pathophysiology. Complementary therapies along with medications may be effective in the control of RA. Propolis is a natural substance extracted from beehives, which have confirmed anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The present study aimed to review the possible effects of propolis on inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid profile in patients with RA. English articles in online databases such as PubMed‑Medline, AMED, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched. Pieces of evidence show that supplementation with propolis may have therapeutic effects on RA patients. Due to increased inflammation and oxidative stress in the affected joints of RA patients, propolis could inhibit the inflammatory cascades by inhibiting the nuclear factor kappa B pathway and reducing reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and interleukin‐17 by increasing some antioxidants. Therefore, inflammation and pain reduce, helping improve and control RA in patients. Further investigations are required with larger sample sizes and different doses of propolis to demonstrate the definite effects of propolis on various aspects of RA. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and systemic disorder, and cytokines and inflammatory responses play a key role in its pathogenesis. Antioxidant supplements may help reduce the symptoms and improve the quality of life in RA patients. Propolis has numerous antioxidant and polyphenolic properties and may exert beneficial effects on the oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammation process.