The propolis effects in depression and anxiety, from mechanisms to practical applications

Introduction. Propolis is a resinous substance collected by bees from different plants and is widely used in health care and pharmaceutical products.

Method. The paper has the structure of a review and includes subchapters related to the propolis composition, and to the mechanisms of action on oxidative stress, psychological stress, depression and anxiety.

Results. Propolis contains more than 200 natural constituents including polyphenols, phenolic aldehydes, sequiterpene-quinones, coumarins, amino acids, fatty acids, steroids and inorganic compounds. Pharmacological effects of propolis have been attributed to the presence of flavonoids, phenolic acids, ester derivatives and terpenes. These constituents have a wide range of pharmacological properties and are important ingredients of traditional dietary supplements. This way, propolis has antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities, improves cognitive decline, learning ability and memory. Propolis also has antistress, antidepressant and anxiolytic effects by antagonizing the hyperfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and reducing glucocorticoid hormones and cortisol. Thus, propolis might be useful in behavioral disorders associated with anxiety and depression. For example, chrysin, a natural flavonoid found in propolis, can alleviate depressive behavior, being useful as an additional treatment of depression.

Conclusions. Propolis, through its constituents and under its various forms of use, has important neurological protection, antioxidant, antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.