Environmentally safe, nontoxic and naturally occurring antiviral product propolis–a review

ABSTRACT

Statement of problem: The Covid pandemic has caught the universe unawares and has become the one single cause of human fatalities. Due to lack of vaccines and the mutations that are happening, it has become imperative that prevention of the spread is the best cure. As part of preventive measures hand washing has been the universally recommended protocol for which hand sanitizers are the ones being used. Hand sanitizers do come with their drawbacks, like effect on human skin including absorption, economics and environmental issues. Taking a clue from the way nature protects itself, studies have been done on bee hive. The hive is exposed but protected from pathogens. It has been found out that the chemical Propoli s is the basis of such a protective mechanism. Further, studies have been done where in Propolis demonstrated anti-viral property. It is a natural material which has been reported to have treasure of innumerable biological compounds which are proved to be effective antibiotic against bacteria, fungal and viral infection along with immunity booster effect. Hence an attempt is being made to review the anti-viral property of Propolis with an intention that it may be considered as the natural anti-viral with less of adversities. Materials and method: The in vivo and in vitro studies reported the treatment of viral infection with propolis were analysed. “Propolis” OR “propolis” AND “viral infection” OR “propolis AND treatment of viral infection”, “bee glue and propolis” were the keywords used in search engines. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews PubMed/Medline and Scopus electronic databases were utilised. Results: Propolis with high phenolic and flavonoids content has an effect in controlling viral infection. The activity of these components comprises of inhibiting the chance of transmitting viral infections to different cells, preventing their propagation and also destroying the external envelope of the virus. Conclusion: The literatures suggests that the propolis as medicament can be used in the treatment of viral infection. It increases the host immunity. Though there is a favourable result yet, the studies were animal studies, evidence are not sufficient to suggest, for use in covid-19. But it is also imperative to note that propolis can be a natural remedy for newer viral infection considering its broad-spectrum activity in human body and thus treating these infections. Well-designed preclinical screening followed by randomized controlled trials are needed. © 2021, Advanced Scientific Research. All rights reserved.