A review of the potential therapeutic and cosmetic use of propolis in topical formulations

ABSTRACT

A good deal of research has been carried out on the establishment and characterization of antioxidants and antibacterialproducts from natural sources for topical use. Recently, investors mainly from the cosmetics industry have becomeinterested in products from different species, not only for their individual active principles but also in the crudeextract itself. Propolis is one of such products. Several previous reports have demonstrated the antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, and wound healing effects of propolis. Additionally, what has drawn attention of the pharmaceuticalindustry to propolis and its derivatives, such as throat spray, is related to its antioxidant properties, having the potentialfor treatment and prevention of oxidative stress-mediated diseases, such as those developed on the skin, as well asaging. This literature review will focus on propolis composition and related potential uses in topical pharmaceuticaland cosmetic formulations.