Effect of Propolis Intake on Serum C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) Levels in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

Mohammad Jalali; Tahereh Ranjbar; Zahra Mosallanezhad; Marzieh Mahmoodi; Seyedeh Parisa Moosavian; Gordon A Ferns; Ronak Jalali; Zahra Sohrabi

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102380

Effect of Propolis Intake on Serum C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) Levels in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

Complement Ther Med. 2020 May:50:102380. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102380. Epub 2020 Mar 23.

Authors

Mohammad Jalali¹, Tahereh Ranjbar², Zahra Mosallanezhad², Marzieh Mahmoodi³, Seyedeh Parisa Moosavian⁴, Gordon A Ferns⁵, Ronak Jalali⁶, Zahra Sohrabi⁷

Affiliations

¹ Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: Mj.artak@gmail.com.
² Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
³ Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
⁴ Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
⁵ Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Division of Medical Education, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex, UK.
⁶ Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
⁷ Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: Zahra_2043@yahoo.com.

PMID: 32444060
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102380

Abstract

Background: Propolis is a natural Product and the antioxidant properties of Propolis appear to be principally responsible for its therapeutic effects. However, several studies have shown the positive effect of Propolis on the reduction the levels of inflammatory markers; some others have revealed non-significant impacts on them. Hence, the present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of Propolis intake on C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).

Methods: The systematic search was undertaken in scientific databases that included: PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science to find studies assessing the effects of Propolis on CRP and TNF-α up to December 2019. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using a random-effects model. Potential publication bias was tested using Egger's test.

Results: Six studies comprising 406 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to controls, Propolis intake significantly reduced serum TNF-α (SMD = -0.48, 95 % CI = [-0.69, -0.26], P < 0.0001, I² = 66.9 %) and CRP (SMD = -0.38, 95 % CI = [-0.68, -0.07], P = 0.01, I² = 44.4 %) levels. No evidence of publication bias was found in the meta-analyses.

Conclusion: The present study concluded in the statistically and clinically reduction of serum CRP and TNF-α levels following Propolis intake.

Keywords: Inflammatory markers; Meta-analysis; Nutrients; Propolis.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Adult
C-Reactive Protein / analysis*
Clinical Trials as Topic
Humans
Propolis / administration & dosage*
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood*

Substances

Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
C-Reactive Protein
Propolis