Written by Chrystal Moulton, Staff Writer. An in vitro study found propolis extract to be 99% effective against herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2).
Propolis, also known as bee glue, has been used for about two millennia for a wide range of illnesses. Depending on where it is cultivated, propolis has a varied antioxidant profile. Researchers seeking a natural treatment for the herpes simplex virus have tested the extract of a specific crop of propolis referred to as the GH2002 extract on herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2).
In an in vitro study, researchers examined the effectiveness of ethanolic GH2002 propolis extract and aqueous propolis extract against HSV-2 in three different models:
- HSV-2 were pretreated with propolis extracts before mixing them with cells.
- Cells were pretreated with propolis extracts before adding the virus.
- Cells were infected with the virus and then treated with the propolis extracts.
The concentration of propolis needed to inhibit 50% of the total viral population in each test was 0.0005% and 0.0004% for the aqueous and ethanolic extract, respectively. Both extracts reduced viral infectivity by more than 99% when the virus was pretreated with either extract before incubation with living cells.
Researchers hope the positive results found in this trial will generate further studies for human application.
Source: Nolkemper, Silke, et al. “Mechanism of herpes simplex virus type 2 suppression by propolis extracts.” Phytomedicine 17.2 (2010): 132-138.
© 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
Posted January 28, 2016.
Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.
Reference:
- Nolkemper S, Reichling J, Sensch KH, Schnitzler P. Mechanism of herpes simplex virus type 2 suppression by propolis extracts. Phytomedicine. 2010;17(2):132-138.
