The prophylactic efficacy of Anatolian propolis in individuals at high risk of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: No prophylactic treatment is available for individuals at high risk of developing COVID-19. This study, which was conducted between December 25, 2020, and January 25, 2021, is one of the first clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of Anatolian propolis supplement against COVID-19. The aim was to obtain evidence on the prophylactic use of Anatolian propolis in individuals at high risk of developing COVID-19. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This volunteer-based study was conducted in two centers. The study involved 209 healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, medical secretaries) from Emergency Medicine Department of Medical Faculty of Ataturk University and Emergency Medicine Department of Rize Recep Tayyip Erdogan University. 204 participants meeting the study criteria were divided into two groups as experimental group and control group. The experimental group received 20 drops of BEE'O UP (BEE&YOU) 30% Propolis drops twice a day during a follow-up period of 1 month. The control group received no supplement but was followed up. The participants showing symptoms during the study and all the participants at the end the study were subjected to PCR testing. RESULTS: The evaluation of the results of PCR testing at the end of the study has shown that 14 participants from the control group and only 2 participants from the experimental group, who received Anatolian propolis supplement, were reported as positive cases. CONCLUSIONS: It has been found that a statistically significant protection was induced against COVID-19 infection in 98% of the experimental group, who received Anatolian propolis, compared to the control group.

Efficacy and toxicity of Anatolian propolis on healthy nasal epithelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: In our study we aimed to evaluate the effects of applying propolis topically to epithelial cells of the nasal cells, to discover whether this causes any toxic effect upon the cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples of healthy human primary nasal epithelium harvested during septoplasty from volunteers were incubated in cell culture. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays may be utilized when assessing cellular damage (toxicity), as evidenced by DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation, alteration in the outer plasma membrane and cytoskeletal alteration. This was the method used in the study. Cultured epithelial cells were incubated with propolis (Bee&You) for 24 hours at 37°C. The MTT assay was then performed, and the cell morphology was examined by confocal microscopy. In addition, via wound healing assay, cellular proliferation was assessed by the artificial scratch method followed by light microscopy. RESULTS: MTT assay results showed that the primary nasal cells were not affected by the topical application of propolis for 24 hours. All of the applied doses not changed significantly the viability of the cells. The agent was not found to be cytotoxic to the primary nasal cells in the application time of 24 hours. Our confocal microscopy findings supported the MTT findings. According to the confocal images, control cells that were not treated with test agent were with compact morphology and undamaged fusiform cell shape and nucleus. In test group of nasal cells, Propolis was found not to be cytotoxic on the cellular morphology and not changed the cells. When evaluating the results from the wound healing assay, the clear area of scratch obtained at the start of incubation (0th) was closed totally with the proliferated primary nasal cells after incubation of 24 hours with propolis. These findings are supported by our MTT findings that imply to the slight induce of proliferation of the primary cells by Propolis. CONCLUSIONS: Topically applied propolis did not have a cytotoxic effect on nasal epithelium cells. Considering its antibacterial and antioxidant effects, it has been concluded that topical application in sinonasal inflammatory diseases (e.g., acute and chronic rhinosinusitis) may have an auxiliary effect in treatment. Moreover, there is a slight induce of proliferation of the primary cells by propolis which may help wound healing in septal surgeries and epistaxis.