Propolis has long been used in natural medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal substance. Its potential in veterinary medicine is highly promising and various studies indicate its beneficial effects, including on the immune and digestive systems.
Propolis is a mixture of plant resin and bee gland secretions. It’s a fairly hard mass, its color varies from red, green and golden through brown to black. Studies indicate that it contains at least 300 different active compounds (Castro, 2001). Some publications indicate that propolis consists mainly of resin (50 %), wax (30 %), essential oils (10 %), pollen (5 %) and other organic compounds (5 %) (Gómez-Caravaca et al. 2006). Among these compounds we can find phenolic compounds, esters, terpenes, beta-steroids, aldehydes and aromatic alcohols, sesquiterpenes and stilbene terpenes (Aga et al. 1994; Russo et al. 2002).
It is worth noting that the composition of propolis depends on many factors, including climate, environmental conditions and the source of the plant secretion (Chen and Wong 1996; Nieva-Moreno et al. 1999).
The most important contraindication to the use of propolis is an allergy to bee products.
In addition, in vitro studies indicate that it is not recommended to use propolis with anticoagulants.
Propolis may also affect the concentration of certain medications in the body, including theophylline, omeprazole, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclosporine, dexamethasone, colchicine, prednisolone or prednisone.
There are many situations in which we can use the benefits of propolis and there are many diseases in which using it can help improve Your animal’s health. Below, I chose to present to you the situations that I encounter most often in my dietary practice.
In 1986, Stojko and colleagues demonstrated that water extracts from propolis accelerate the healing process of wounds. The study was conducted on dogs, in which 1 cm diameter lesions were cut out from their necks. Then, dressings made from 3 % water extract of propolis (WEP) were applied to the wounds twice a day at 12-hour intervals. The wounds in the control group were not dressed. After 9-10 days, the wounds healed completely (scars appeared). In the control group, after 9-10 days, the wounds were still at the granulation stage and their appearance resembled the wounds of animals on the 5th day of treatment with 3 % WEP.
In another study, from 2015, 30 % propolis paste shortened the healing time of wounds in dogs by accelerating the process of epithelialization and wound shrinkage.
In 2014 (Sánchez, Journal of Veterinary Medicine) a study was also conducted on the use of propolis for the local treatment of dermatoses in dogs (specifically: erythematous lesions and alopecia with the presence of the Microsporum fungus). The treatment consisted of bathing with propolis soap every 7 days for 3 to 8 weeks, as well as the application of propolis ointment, which was applied once a day for 3 weeks. From the second week of treatment, no Microsporum was grown in the samples taken from the dogs. At the end of the treatment, hair growth was shown in the areas affected by the dermatosis. It should be noted, however, that the study concerned three dogs: a two-month-old Creole dog, a five-month-old Boxer and an eight-month-old Yorkshire terrier.
Propolis also shows great therapeutic potential in the treatment of cutaneous pythiosis in dogs (Araújo, 2016), Malassezia pachydermatis (Betancourt et al., 2015) and inflammation of the external auditory canal (Lozina et al., 2010).
Propolis has strong antioxidant and antiviral effects. The compounds it contains, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids and other antioxidants, help neutralize free radicals, which can help protect cells from oxidative stress.
Propolis has the ability to inhibit the spread of some viruses. Several in vitro studies have shown the effect of propolis on the DNA and RNA of various viruses, including Herpes simplex type 1 (cold sore virus), Herpes simplex type 2 (genital herpes virus), adenovirus type 2, vesicular stomatitis virus and poliovirus type 2. For example, a double-blind clinical trial showed that applying a 3 % propolis ointment to patients with recurrent cold sores 5 times a day from the moment the lesions were noticed shortened the duration of the cold sore by more than 3 days compared to the use of placebo. Another study showed accelerated healing and reduced pain when using a cream with propolis (0.5%) compared to a cream containing 5 % acyclovir.
In animals, propolis significantly increases antibodies production when added to vaccines against canine parvovirus and canine coronavirus.
In 1974, Aleksandrovich and Danilov showed that ethanol extract of propolis administered parenterally to mice contributed to faster elimination of Staphylococcus aureus from their bodies compared to control mice. In turn, in another study, propolis was effective in mice with vulvar and vaginal candidiasis. Propolis-based gel acted there similarly to clotrimazole cream, or even better – depending on the concentration of propolis.
Propolis extracts also prove effective in combating protozoan parasites such as P. chabaudi or T. brucei (studies on a mouse model). What may be of particular interest to dog owners is the use of propolis in the treatment of giardiasis. The use of propolis and metronidazole was evaluated in mice infected with Giardia lamblia (Abdel-Fattah and Nada, 2007). Propolis significantly reduced the intensity of infection and caused a significant increase in the concentration of cytokines and interferon gamma in serum. However, only the combined therapy showed higher effectiveness in reducing the number of parasites than either substance alone. The synergistic effect of both compounds led to immunological balance, which in turn was important for maintaining intestinal homeostasis.
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PETSTUDY Agata Baranowska | ul. Londyńska 32/3, 66-400 Gorzów Wielkopolski, Polska | NIP: 1251612652
