{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,19]],"date-time":"2026-10-19T07:45:01Z","timestamp":1792395901922,"version":"4.4.0"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"Akademiai Kiado Zrt.","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,19]],"date-time":"2026-10-19T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1792368000000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["www.akjournals.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["EUJMI"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,19]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>\n                    The incidence and disease burden of inflammatory bowel diseases including ulcerative colitis have risen significantly in recent years, and current treatment remains limited by adverse effects and insufficient long-term efficacy, creating demand for alternative or adjunct treatment options. The \u201cbee glue\u201d propolis, a natural compound with a long history of medicinal use, has attracted growing attention for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory properties. This review summarizes and critically evaluates research into anti-colitogenic effects of propolis and its bioactive molecules in experimental colitis animal models. Our structured literature search revealed 21 preclinical studies showing that application of propolis and derivatives resulted in clinical and histopathological improvement of colitis. Treated animals presented with reduced colonic inflammation, restored intestinal barrier integrity, and a more diverse commensal gut microbiota. Notably, the composition of propolis varied considerably between studies depending on geographical and botanical origins and extraction method of the compound, for instance. In conclusion, propolis and derivatives exert potent anti-colitogenic effects\n                    <jats:italic>in vivo<\/jats:italic>\n                    , and might constitute promising disease-alleviating treatment options in human intestinal inflammation, including ulcerative colitis that should be further unravelled in future clinical trials.\n                  <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1556\/1886.2026.00051","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,19]],"date-time":"2026-10-19T07:29:31Z","timestamp":1792394971000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1556\/policypage.crossmark.crossref.2","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Reviewing preclinical evidence for potent anti-colitogenic effects of the \u201cbee glue\u201d propolis"],"prefix":"10.1556","author":[{"given":"Shana Mira","family":"Quincke","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Gastrointestinal Microbiology Research Group, Charit\u00e9 - University Medicine Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universit\u00e4t Berlin, Humboldt-Universit\u00e4t zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Stefan","family":"Bereswill","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Gastrointestinal Microbiology Research Group, Charit\u00e9 - University Medicine Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universit\u00e4t Berlin, Humboldt-Universit\u00e4t zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6399-651X","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Markus M.","family":"Heimesaat","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Gastrointestinal Microbiology Research Group, Charit\u00e9 - University Medicine Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universit\u00e4t Berlin, Humboldt-Universit\u00e4t zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"425","reference":[{"issue":"2","key":"B1","series-title":"Phytother Res","first-page":"701","article-title":"A systematic review of preclinical studies on the efficacy of propolis for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease","volume":"35","author":"Soleimani D","year":"2021","unstructured":"Soleimani D, Miryan M, Tutunchi H, Navashenaq JG, Sadeghi E, Ghayour-Mobarhan M, et\u00a0al. A systematic review of preclinical studies on the efficacy of propolis for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Phytother Res. 2021;35(2):701\u201310."},{"key":"B2","series-title":"Phytomedicine","article-title":"Bee propolis for inflammatory bowel disease: a review of its gastroprotective effects, mechanisms, and translation strategies","volume":"153","author":"Lu Y","year":"2026","unstructured":"Lu Y, Granato D, Hu L, Wang K. Bee propolis for inflammatory bowel disease: a review of its gastroprotective effects, mechanisms, and translation strategies. Phytomedicine. 2026;153:157849."},{"issue":"2","key":"B3","series-title":"Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench","first-page":"132","article-title":"Global prevalence and incidence of inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis\u00a0of population-based studies","volume":"18","author":"Heydari K","year":"2025","unstructured":"Heydari K, Rahnavard M, Ghahramani S, Hoseini A, Alizadeh-Navaei R, Rafati S, et\u00a0al. Global prevalence and incidence of inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis\u00a0of population-based studies. Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench. 2025;18(2):132\u201346."},{"issue":"10114","key":"B4","series-title":"Lancet","first-page":"2769","article-title":"Worldwide incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in the 21st century: a systematic review of population-based studies","volume":"390","author":"Ng SC","year":"2017","unstructured":"Ng SC, Shi HY, Hamidi N, Underwood FE, Tang W, Benchimol EI, et\u00a0al. Worldwide incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in the 21st century: a systematic review of population-based studies. Lancet. 2017;390(10114):2769\u201378."},{"issue":"10","key":"B5","series-title":"Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol","first-page":"708","article-title":"The global burden of inflammatory bowel disease: from 2025 to 2045","volume":"22","author":"Kaplan GG","year":"2025","unstructured":"Kaplan GG. The global burden of inflammatory bowel disease: from 2025 to 2045. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2025;22(10):708\u201320."},{"key":"B6","series-title":"Int J Surg","article-title":"Global, regional, and national burdens of colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, 1990-2021 and projections to 2050: a cross-sectional study","author":"Zhang Z","year":"2026","unstructured":"Zhang Z, Tang XL, Ma R, Hao L, Jiang BW, Zhang ZN, et\u00a0al. Global, regional, and national burdens of colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, 1990-2021 and projections to 2050: a cross-sectional study. Int J Surg. 2026."},{"key":"B7","series-title":"Bmj","article-title":"Medical management of inflammatory bowel diseases","volume":"391","author":"Hashash JG","year":"2025","unstructured":"Hashash JG, Limdi JK, Shapiro JM, Shah SA. Medical management of inflammatory bowel diseases. Bmj. 2025;391:e079050."},{"issue":"5","key":"B8","series-title":"United Eur Gastroenterol J","first-page":"605","article-title":"Difficult-to-treat inflammatory bowel disease: effectiveness and safety of 4th and 5th lines of treatment","volume":"12","author":"Caron B","year":"2024","unstructured":"Caron B, Habert A, Bonsack O, Camara H, Jeanbert E, Parigi TL, et\u00a0al. Difficult-to-treat inflammatory bowel disease: effectiveness and safety of 4th and 5th lines of treatment. United Eur Gastroenterol J. 2024;12(5):605\u201313."},{"key":"B9","series-title":"Evid Based Complement Alternat Med","article-title":"Propolis and its potential to treat gastrointestinal disorders","volume":"2018","author":"da Silva LM","year":"2018","unstructured":"da Silva LM, de Souza P, Jaouni SKA, Harakeh S, Golbabapour S, de Andrade SF. Propolis and its potential to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018;2018:2035820."},{"issue":"6","key":"B10","series-title":"Phytotherapy Res","first-page":"894","article-title":"Biological properties and therapeutic applications of propolis","volume":"30","author":"Sforcin JM","year":"2016","unstructured":"Sforcin JM. Biological properties and therapeutic applications of propolis. Phytotherapy Res. 2016;30(6):894\u2013905."},{"key":"B11","series-title":"Evidence-Based Complement Altern Med","first-page":"1","article-title":"Historical aspects of propolis research in modern times","volume":"2013","author":"Kuropatnicki AK","year":"2013","unstructured":"Kuropatnicki AK, Szliszka E, Krol W. Historical aspects of propolis research in modern times. Evidence-Based Complement Altern Med. 2013;2013:1\u201311."},{"issue":"Suppl 1","key":"B12","series-title":"Fitoterapia","first-page":"S1","article-title":"Propolis, an old remedy used in modern medicine","volume":"73","author":"Castaldo S","year":"2002","unstructured":"Castaldo S, Capasso F. Propolis, an old remedy used in modern medicine. Fitoterapia. 2002;73(Suppl 1):S1\u20136."},{"key":"B13","series-title":"BMJ","article-title":"The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews","volume":"372","author":"Page MJ","year":"2021","unstructured":"Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et\u00a0al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021;372:n71."},{"key":"B14","series-title":"Evid Based Complement Alternat Med","article-title":"Use of propolis hydroalcoholic extract to treat colitis experimentally induced in rats by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid","volume":"2013","author":"Gon\u00e7alves CC","year":"2013","unstructured":"Gon\u00e7alves CC, Hernandes L, Bersani-Amado CA, Franco SL, Silva JF, Natali MR. Use of propolis hydroalcoholic extract to treat colitis experimentally induced in rats by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:853976."},{"issue":"2","key":"B15","series-title":"Int Immunopharmacol","first-page":"178","article-title":"Brazilian propolis ameliorates trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in mice by inhibiting Th1 differentiation","volume":"16","author":"Okamoto Y","year":"2013","unstructured":"Okamoto Y, Hara T, Ebato T, Fukui T, Masuzawa T. Brazilian propolis ameliorates trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in mice by inhibiting Th1 differentiation. Int Immunopharmacol. 2013;16(2):178\u201383."},{"key":"B16","series-title":"Biomed Pharmacother","first-page":"687","article-title":"Hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis exerts protective effects on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in a rodent model","volume":"85","author":"Barbosa BG","year":"2017","unstructured":"Barbosa BG, de Menezes de Souza L, Dos Santos AS, de Almeida GK, Souza MT, Santos SL, et\u00a0al. Hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian red propolis exerts protective effects on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in a rodent model. Biomed Pharmacother. 2017;85:687\u201396."},{"issue":"5","key":"B17","series-title":"Inflammopharmacology","first-page":"1283","article-title":"Brazilian green propolis hydroalcoholic extract reduces colon damages caused by dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice","volume":"26","author":"Mariano LNB","year":"2018","unstructured":"Mariano LNB, Arruda C, Somensi LB, Costa APM, Perondi EG, Boeing T, et\u00a0al. Brazilian green propolis hydroalcoholic extract reduces colon damages caused by dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice. Inflammopharmacology. 2018;26(5):1283\u201392."},{"issue":"17","key":"B18","series-title":"Mol Nutr Food Res","article-title":"Propolis from different geographic origins decreases intestinal\u00a0inflammation and bacteroides spp. populations in a model of DSS-induced colitis","volume":"62","author":"Wang K","year":"2018","unstructured":"Wang K, Jin X, Li Q, Sawaya A, Le Leu RK, Conlon MA, et\u00a0al. Propolis from different geographic origins decreases intestinal\u00a0inflammation and bacteroides spp. populations in a model of DSS-induced colitis. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2018;62(17):e1800080."},{"key":"B19","series-title":"Nutr Res","first-page":"30","article-title":"Brazilian propolis extract reduces intestinal barrier defects and inflammation in a colitic mouse model","volume":"69","author":"Shimizu Y","year":"2019","unstructured":"Shimizu Y, Suzuki T. Brazilian propolis extract reduces intestinal barrier defects and inflammation in a colitic mouse model. Nutr Res. 2019;69:30\u201341."},{"issue":"10","key":"B20","series-title":"J Pharm Pharmacol","first-page":"1379","article-title":"Hydroalcoholic extract of\u00a0araucaria sp. brown propolis alleviates ulcerative colitis induced by TNBS in rats by reducing inflammatory cell infiltration and oxidative damage","volume":"76","author":"Cury BJ","year":"2024","unstructured":"Cury BJ, Jeronimo DT, da Silva LM, Farias de Queiroz EST, Franca TCS, Dos Santos AC, et\u00a0al. Hydroalcoholic extract of\u00a0araucaria sp. brown propolis alleviates ulcerative colitis induced by TNBS in rats by reducing inflammatory cell infiltration and oxidative damage. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2024;76(10):1379\u201392."},{"issue":"Pt\u00a04","key":"B21","series-title":"Int J Biol Macromol","article-title":"Alginate-based microcapsules loaded with Brazilian green propolis decrease reactive oxygen species production, reduce inflammatory cytokines, and mitigate intestinal inflammation","volume":"310","author":"Franchin M","year":"2025","unstructured":"Franchin M, Saliba A, Dos Santos Ramos A, Spada FP, Dos Santos DC, de Oliveira Leandro M, et\u00a0al. Alginate-based microcapsules loaded with Brazilian green propolis decrease reactive oxygen species production, reduce inflammatory cytokines, and mitigate intestinal inflammation. Int J Biol Macromol. 2025;310(Pt\u00a04):143357."},{"issue":"8","key":"B22","series-title":"Nutrients","article-title":"Dietary propolis ameliorates Dextran Sulfate sodium-induced colitis and modulates the gut microbiota in rats fed a Western diet","volume":"9","author":"Wang K","year":"2017","unstructured":"Wang K, Jin X, You M, Tian W, Le Leu RK, Topping DL, et\u00a0al. Dietary propolis ameliorates Dextran Sulfate sodium-induced colitis and modulates the gut microbiota in rats fed a Western diet. Nutrients. 2017;9(8)."},{"issue":"5","key":"B23","series-title":"J Tradit Chin Med","first-page":"925","article-title":"Potential protective effects of the water-soluble Chinese propolis on experimental ulcerative colitis","volume":"43","author":"Hua Z","year":"2023","unstructured":"Hua Z, Hui LI, Haihua W. Potential protective effects of the water-soluble Chinese propolis on experimental ulcerative colitis. J Tradit Chin Med. 2023;43(5):925\u201333."},{"issue":"1","key":"B24","series-title":"PLoS One","article-title":"Propolis alleviates\u00a0ulcerative colitis injury by inhibiting the protein kinase C\u00a0- transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 - calcitonin gene-related peptide\/substance P (PKC-TRPV1-CGRP\/SP) signaling axis","volume":"19","author":"Qian Z","year":"2024","unstructured":"Qian Z, Zhang M, Lu T, Yu J, Yin S, Wang H, et\u00a0al. Propolis alleviates\u00a0ulcerative colitis injury by inhibiting the protein kinase C\u00a0- transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 - calcitonin gene-related peptide\/substance P (PKC-TRPV1-CGRP\/SP) signaling axis. PLoS One. 2024;19(1):e0294169."},{"issue":"13","key":"B25","series-title":"Int J Med Sci","first-page":"1984","article-title":"Oral administration of Korean propolis extract ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in BALB\/c mice","volume":"17","author":"Hwang S","year":"2020","unstructured":"Hwang S, Hwang S, Jo M, Lee CG, Rhee KJ. Oral administration of Korean propolis extract ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in BALB\/c mice. Int J Med Sci. 2020;17(13):1984\u201391."},{"issue":"5","key":"B26","series-title":"Adv Ther","first-page":"1085","article-title":"Effectiveness of mesalamine and propolis in experimental colitis","volume":"24","author":"Aslan A","year":"2007","unstructured":"Aslan A, Temiz M, Atik E, Polat G, Sahinler N, Besirov E, et\u00a0al. Effectiveness of mesalamine and propolis in experimental colitis. Adv Ther. 2007;24(5):1085\u201397."},{"issue":"4","key":"B27","series-title":"Inflammopharmacology","first-page":"2625","article-title":"Ethanolic extract of propolis attenuates inflammation and promotes mucosal repair in an indomethacin-induced murine model of enteropathy","volume":"34","author":"Medjeber O","year":"2026","unstructured":"Medjeber O, Rafa H, Touri K, Samer A, Bouhara S, Djeraba Z, et\u00a0al. Ethanolic extract of propolis attenuates inflammation and promotes mucosal repair in an indomethacin-induced murine model of enteropathy. Inflammopharmacology. 2026;34(4):2625\u201337."},{"issue":"3","key":"B28","series-title":"J Pharmacol Exp Ther","first-page":"915","article-title":"Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB, attenuates bacterial peptidoglycan polysaccharide-induced colitis in rats","volume":"299","author":"Fitzpatrick LR","year":"2001","unstructured":"Fitzpatrick LR, Wang J, Le T. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB, attenuates bacterial peptidoglycan polysaccharide-induced colitis in rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001;299(3):915\u201320."},{"issue":"2","key":"B29","series-title":"Inflammopharmacology","first-page":"561","article-title":"Caffeic acid phenethyl ester is protective in experimental ulcerative colitis via reduction in levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and enhancement of epithelial barrier function","volume":"26","author":"Khan MN","year":"2018","unstructured":"Khan MN, Lane ME, McCarron PA, Tambuwala MM. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester is protective in experimental ulcerative colitis via reduction in levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and enhancement of epithelial barrier function. Inflammopharmacology. 2018;26(2):561\u20139."},{"issue":"11","key":"B30","series-title":"Pathol Res Pract","first-page":"1909","article-title":"Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) reverses fibrosis caused by chronic colon inflammation in murine model of colitis","volume":"214","author":"Tambuwala MM","year":"2018","unstructured":"Tambuwala MM, Kesharwani P, Shukla R, Thompson PD, McCarron PA. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) reverses fibrosis caused by chronic colon inflammation in murine model of colitis. Pathol Res Pract. 2018;214(11):1909\u201311."},{"issue":"8","key":"B31","series-title":"Nutrients","article-title":"S\/O\/W emulsion with CAPE ameliorates DSS-Induced colitis by regulating NF-kappaB pathway, gut microbiota and fecal metabolome in C57BL\/6 mice","volume":"16","author":"Wei X","year":"2024","unstructured":"Wei X, Dai J, Liu R, Wan G, Gu S, Du Y, et\u00a0al. S\/O\/W emulsion with CAPE ameliorates DSS-Induced colitis by regulating NF-kappaB pathway, gut microbiota and fecal metabolome in C57BL\/6 mice. Nutrients. 2024;16(8)."},{"key":"B32","series-title":"Front Physiol","first-page":"908","article-title":"Pinocembrin protects against Dextran Sulfate sodium-induced rats colitis by ameliorating inflammation, improving barrier function and modulating gut microbiota","volume":"10","author":"Hu L","year":"2019","unstructured":"Hu L, Wu C, Zhang Z, Liu M, Maruthi Prasad E, Chen Y, et\u00a0al. Pinocembrin protects against Dextran Sulfate sodium-induced rats colitis by ameliorating inflammation, improving barrier function and modulating gut microbiota. Front Physiol. 2019;10:908."},{"issue":"1","key":"B33","series-title":"Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol","first-page":"10","article-title":"The natural flavonoid galangin ameliorates dextran sulphate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in mice: effect on toll-like receptor 4, inflammation and oxidative stress","volume":"127","author":"Gerges SH","year":"2020","unstructured":"Gerges SH, Tolba MF, Elsherbiny DA, El-Demerdash E. The natural flavonoid galangin ameliorates dextran sulphate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in mice: effect on toll-like receptor 4, inflammation and oxidative stress. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2020;127(1):10\u201320."},{"issue":"9","key":"B34","series-title":"Food Funct","first-page":"4970","article-title":"Pinobanksin ameliorated DSS-Induced acute colitis mainly through modulation of SLC7A11\/glutathione-mediated intestinal epithelial ferroptosis","volume":"15","author":"Bi H","year":"2024","unstructured":"Bi H, Guo S, Wang Y, Liu Z, Wu G, Huo X, et\u00a0al. Pinobanksin ameliorated DSS-Induced acute colitis mainly through modulation of SLC7A11\/glutathione-mediated intestinal epithelial ferroptosis. Food Funct. 2024;15(9):4970\u201382."}],"container-title":["European Journal of Microbiology and Immunology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.akjournals.com\/view\/journals\/1886\/aop\/article-10.1556-1886.2026.00051\/article-10.1556-1886.2026.00051.xml","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.akjournals.com\/downloadpdf\/journals\/1886\/aop\/article-10.1556-1886.2026.00051\/article-10.1556-1886.2026.00051.xml","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,19]],"date-time":"2026-10-19T07:29:31Z","timestamp":1792394971000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.akjournals.com\/view\/journals\/1886\/aop\/article-10.1556-1886.2026.00051\/article-10.1556-1886.2026.00051.xml"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,19]]},"references-count":34,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1556\/1886.2026.00051","relation":{},"ISSN":["2062-509X","2062-8633"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2062-509X","type":"print"},{"value":"2062-8633","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,19]]}}}