Propolis: Plant Origin, Components and Biological Activities

Propolis is a resinous substance that honeybees collect from plant resins and store inside their hives, where it is used as a supporting material for the nest structure. It has been used as a folk medicine in European and African countries, and in recent times it has attracted popular attention worldwide. In Japan, propolis is used as a supplementary health food and drink supplement. However, the chemical composition of propolis varies greatly according to its geographical and plant origin. The chemical profiles of propolis differ according to plant origin, and the biological activities also tend to differ accordingly. In this paper, we review some representative plant sources of propolis, such as poplar and Baccharis species, and their components. Studies of the anti-microorganism, antioxidant and anti-tumor properties of propolis and its components, as well as the induction of beige adipocyte formation, are also described.