Bee propolis

Propolis/Drug Interactions:

  • GeneralGeneral: Some tinctures contain high concentrations of ethanol and may lead to vomiting if used concomitantly with disulfiram (Antabuse?) or metronidazole (Flagyl?).
  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: Theoretically, propolis may interact with analgesics.
  • AnestheticsAnesthetics: Theoretically, propolis may interact with anesthetics.
  • Antiarthritic agentsAntiarthritic agents: Theoretically, propolis may interact with antiarthritic agents.
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Based on a laboratory study, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), derived from propolis, may have anti-platelet aggregation effects (24).
  • Antiinflammatory agents (NSAIDs), COX 2Antiinflammatory agents (NSAIDs), COX 2: Based on in vitro and in vivo evidence, propolis may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects (114; 115; 116; 11; 12; 117).
  • Antimicrobial agents (antifungals, antibacterials, antiparasitics)Antimicrobial agents (antifungals, antibacterials, antiparasitics): When taken with antimicrobial drugs, propolis may produce additive effects, according to in vitro studies (118; 119).
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: Propolis has demonstrated activity against cancer cell lines in in vitro studies (120; 31; 121; 122; 123).
  • Anti-retroviral agentsAnti-retroviral agents: Propolis has been shown to contain compounds that prevent HIV-1 accessory protein Nef-mediated cell lysis and increase proliferation of CD4 cells in HIV-infected cultures (124).
  • ImmunostimulantsImmunostimulants: Based on animal study, propolis may have immunomodulatory actions (22; 111).
  • ImmunosuppresantsImmunosuppresants: Based on animal study, propolis may have immunomodulatory actions (22; 111).
  • Radioprotective agentsRadioprotective agents: Based on in vitro study, propolis may have radioprotective effects (36).
  • Renally eliminated agentsRenally eliminated agents: Theoretically, propolis may interact with renally eliminated agents.
  • Vasorelaxant agentsVasorelaxant agents: Theoretically, propolis may interact with vasorelaxant agents.

    • Propolis/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: Theoretically, propolis may interact with analgesics.
  • AnestheticsAnesthetics: Theoretically, propolis may interact with anesthetics.
  • Antiarthritic herbs and supplementsAntiarthritic herbs and supplements: Theoretically, propolis may interact with antiarthritic herbs and supplements.
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Based on a laboratory study, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), derived from propolis, may have anti-platelet aggregation effects (24).
  • Antiinflammatory herbs and supplementsAntiinflammatory herbs and supplements: Based on in vitro and in vivo evidence, propolis may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects (114; 115; 116; 11; 12; 117).
  • Antimicrobials (antifungals, antibacterials, antiparasitics)Antimicrobials (antifungals, antibacterials, antiparasitics): When taken with antimicrobial drugs, propolis may produce additive effects, according to in vitro studies (118; 119).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: Propolis has demonstrated activity against cancer cell lines in in vitro study (120; 31; 121; 122; 123).
  • Anti-retroviral herbs and supplementsAnti-retroviral herbs and supplements: Propolis has been shown to contain compounds that prevent HIV-1 accessory protein Nef-mediated cell lysis and increase the proliferation of CD4 cells in HIV-infected cultures (124).
  • Balsam of PeruBalsam of Peru: Balsam of Peru (Myroxylon balsamum) and propolis are both known to result in allergic sensitization in some individuals and have eight known compounds in common: benzyl benzoate, benzyl cinnamate, benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, caffeic acid, cinnamic alcohol, and vinallin (50). Allergic sensitization may be more prominent in those using both products concurrently (83; 112; 49; 50; 86).
  • ImmunostimulantsImmunostimulants: Based on animal study, propolis may have immunomodulatory actions (22; 111).
  • ImmunosuppresantsImmunosuppresants: Based on animal study, propolis may have immunomodulatory actions (22; 111).
  • Radioprotective herbs and supplementsRadioprotective herbs and supplements: Based on in vitro study, propolis may have radioprotective effects (36).
  • Renally eliminated herbs and supplementsRenally eliminated herbs and supplements: Theoretically, propolis may interact with renally eliminated herbs and supplements.
  • Vasorelaxant herbs and supplementsVasorelaxant herbs and supplements: Theoretically, propolis may interact with vasorelaxant herbs and supplements.

    • Propolis/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Propolis/Lab Interactions:

  • Coagulation panelCoagulation panel: Based on a laboratory study, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), derived from propolis, may have anti-platelet aggregation effects (24).
  • Hormone labsHormone labs: Aromatase inhibition by chrysin could block the conversion of androgens into estrogens with a consequent increase of testosterone, eventually measurable in urine samples (125).
  • Serum proteinsSerum proteins: In samples of whole blood of male Wistar rats incubated in sequence with an aqueous propolis extract at different concentrations, stannous chloride and 99mTc, as sodium pertechnetate, the aqueous propolis extract significantly decreased the percentage of incorporated radioactivity (%ATI) in plasma proteins at the higher concentration studied (126). Results suggest that at high concentration, the constituents of propolis extract may alter the labeling of plasma proteins competing with the same binding sites of the 99mTc on the plasma proteins or acting as antioxidant compounds.