Propolis extract (ethanolic)
Appears to have significant effects on healing of upper gastrointestinal tract mucosa (gastric & duodenal ulcers),
especially as treatment enhancement of antibiotics against H. pylori,
as well as for promoted healing thereafter (gastritis only slowly subsides over the course of at least 6 months up to a couple of years even after successful H. pylori eradication)
Using human equivalent conversion from rat trials, generous daily propolis doses seem to be required: Ideally 3600mg. Certainly not below 1800mg.
Synergistic combinations with olive leaf extract (OLE) and/or L. rhamnosus and/or L. reuteri.
However, propolis monotherapy fails for H. pylori eradication. There's initial inhibition, but then the infection and bacterial evasion catches up.
Propolis and Its Potential to Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders, 2018, review
Propolis in the Treatment of Oral Mucositis
** Propolis shown effective.
Propolis in the Therapeutic Management of Ulcerative Colitis
** "the studies developed with kaempferol, luteolin, and naringenin stood out"
** yet "these studies do not translate to human application, remaining to be explored its efficacy and safety in clinical trials."
Propolis and Its Potential to Treat Gastrointestinal Cancers
** Various effects in vitro
Antiulcer Activity of Propolis
** "propolis has been used in folk medicine to treat gastric ulcer"
** Dose-dependent protective effects (preventative), but also healing effects
** Effects of propolis mirrored in part by oral caffeic, ferulic, and cinnamic acids
** "100% of the tested extracts inhibited the H. pylori growth"
Evaluating the Inhibitory Effects of Probiotic Bacteria and Propolis Extracts on the Growth and Histopathological Changes in Gastric Tissues of Helicobacter pylori Challenged Wistar Rats, 2024
"In vivo, the findings demonstrated that oral administrations of propolis and probiotics [L. rhamnosis, L. reuteri], either separately or in combination, led to significant increases in body weight and amelioration of histopathological changes in gastric tissue samples, particularly in terms of erosion depth, hemorrhagic inflammation, and apoptosis in the infected animals"
Effects were dose-dependent and highest at 300mg/KG per day (HED = 48mg/KG, ie 3600mg@75KG). The yellow positive control received antibiotic triple therapy:
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"Propolis generally exhibits bacteriostatic properties against various bacterial genera; however, it may demonstrate bactericidal effects at elevated concentrations"
"Propolis contains caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), which inhibits the enzyme peptide deformylase, a critical factor for the survival of H. pylori."
"The antibacterial activities of propolis are dependent on the concentration of biologically active compounds, including phenolic acid esters and flavonoids such as pinocembrin and galangin"
"During the study, a significant enhancement in the antibacterial activity was observed in the prepared propolis mixture (combination of all four propolis extracts). "
"In the gastric tissue samples of the animals treated with propolis and/or probiotics, reduced bacterial load comparable to the antibiotic-treated group animals was observed. "
"polyphenol compounds of propolis have significant enhancing effects on the eradication rate of H. pylori in rats with gastritis and peptic ulcers, suggesting that propolis supplementation may enhance the effectiveness of conventional H. pylori treatment"
Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effect of Korean propolis on Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric damage in vitro, 2020
"These findings indicate that the use of Korean propolis, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, can be promising for the prevention of H. pylori-induced gastric damage.
South African Propolis: Anti-Helicobacter pylori Activity, Chemistry, and Toxicity, 2025
Of 27 geographically distinct South African propolis sources tested, only 7 propolis compositions exhibited a MIC of >6.25 mg/mL against H. pylori. Many sources were as dose-effective as amoxicillin.
"Propolis from northern Spain was investigated against H. pylori with ethanolic and propylene glycol extracts which were found to have MIC values ranging between 6.00 and 14.00 mg/mL"
"The compounds pinocembrin, 3‐O‐acetylpinobanksin, and pinobanksin were found to be the most abundant."
"Antimicrobially active South African propolis was reported to be primarily comprised of pinocembrin, galangin, and chrysin"
Potential Efficacy of Propolis in Treating Helicobacter pylori Infection and Its Mechanisms of Action, 2025
"Propolis demonstrates dual functionality by inhibiting the release of inflammatory mediators and suppressing H. pylori growth"
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"The combined use of propolis with other natural extracts demonstrates superior efficacy. Studies indicate that propolis complexes, when used in combination with olive leaf and licorice extracts, more effectively inhibit H. pylori-induced gastric mucosal ulcers, reduce bacterial colonization, and alleviate gastric mucosal inflammation"
"A trial involving 18 infected participants showed that after seven consecutive days of oral administration of Brazilian green propolis extract (3 times daily, 20 drops per dose), 50% of participants experienced a decrease of over 20% in their urea breath test values, indicating an initial inhibitory effect; However, after a 40-day treatment cycle, 83% of participants failed to achieve complete eradication of H. pylori, suggesting that while propolis monotherapy has some activity, it is insufficient for effective eradication and may require optimization of the dosing regimen, such as increasing the dose or frequency, to achieve sufficient antimicrobial concentrations."
