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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 May;315(4):943-955.
doi: 10.1007/s00403-022-02455-8. Epub 2022 Nov 23.

Use of propolis for skin wound healing: systematic review and meta-analysis

Julia Carnelós Machado Velho  1 , Thais Amaral França  1 , Maria José Malagutti-Ferreira  1 , Edilson Rodrigues Albuquerque  2 , Francislaine Aparecida Dos Reis Lívero  2 , Murilo Racy Soares  3 , Ademilson Espencer Egea Soares  4 , João Tadeu Ribeiro-Paes  5
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Use of propolis for skin wound healing: systematic review and meta-analysis

Julia Carnelós Machado Velho et al. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023 May.

Abstract

Propolis is a natural resin that is produced by bees. It has anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties, promotes reepithelization, and stimulates skin regeneration. Propolis has great potential for the development of new therapeutic approaches to treat skin ulcers. The present study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies of the use of propolis for the regeneration of cutaneous wounds and its efficacy as a therapeutic agent. Data were collected from articles in the PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases that were published since 1900 by searching the terms "propolis" AND "wound healing." This search yielded 633 articles, of which 43 were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The results showed that interest in the therapeutic efficacy of propolis has increased over the years. The studies reported that the propolis was effective for the treatment of skin ulcers by promoting a higher percentage of healing than classically employed interventions. The mode of propolis application has also evolved. An increasing number of studies combined it with other substances and materials to achieve additive or synergistic effects on the skin regeneration process. Propolis appears to be an effective therapeutic alternative for the treatment of skin ulcers.

Keywords: Alternative therapy; Dressings; Natural products; Skin wounds; Wound regeneration.

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