Evidence mapPaperPMID 40421039Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in nutrition2025

Propolis supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Hossein Bahari, Mostafa Shahraki Jazinaki, Mohsen Aliakbarian, Mohammad Rashidmayvan, Haniyeh Golafrouz, Iman Rahnama, Rozita Khodashahi, Mahsa Malekahmadi

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in nutrition, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Hossein BahariTransplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Mostafa Shahraki JazinakiStudent Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Mohsen AliakbarianTransplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Mohammad RashidmayvanDepartment of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Science, Gonabad, Iran.
Haniyeh GolafrouzRajaei Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Iman RahnamaStudent Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Rozita KhodashahiTransplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Mahsa MalekahmadiImam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Although a large number of trials have observed the anti-inflammatory properties of propolis, the currently available research remains controversial regarding its beneficial health effects. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of propolis on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in adults. Methods: A comprehensive search was performed in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed/Medline to find relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) until January 2024. The overall effect sizes were calculated using the random-effects model and expressed as weighted mean differences (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The possible heterogeneity between included trials was assessed by performing Cochran's Q test. Results: In total, 27 trials with 29 treatment arms were eligible for inclusion in this review. This meta-analysis revealed that propolis consumption led to a significant decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD: -1.23; 95%CI: -1.76, -0.69; Conclusion: Propolis supplementation appears effective in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant capacity and reducing specific inflammatory markers. However, variations in study designs, dosages, and participant characteristics contribute to the heterogeneity of results. Further well-designed RCTs are needed to confirm these findings and determine the optimal dosage and long-term effects. Given its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, propolis may serve as a complementary approach in managing inflammation-related conditions, though its clinical application requires further validation. Systematic review registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier CRD42023474033.

Indexed as

inflammationmeta-analysisoxidative stresspropolissystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40421039
PMCPMC12104767

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.