Propolis Flavonoids: Current Evidence in Animal Models and Future Promise for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
8 affiliations
- 1Laboratorio de Química de Productos Naturales, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prol. de Carpio y Plan de Ayala, Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
- 2Laboratory in Nano and Dental Biomaterials, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
- 3Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
- 4Laboratorio de Inmunología, Unidad de Morfología y Función, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
- 5Laboratorio de Bioactividad de Productos Naturales, Unidad de Biotecnología y Prototipos (UBIPRO), Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
- 6Laboratorio de Toxicología Molecular, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Wilfrido Massieu, Esq. Manuel L. Stampa s/n, Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico
- 7Laboratorio de Toxicología de Productos Naturales, Departamento de Farmacia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Wilfrido Massieu, Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico
- 8División de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory bowel disease with a rising global incidence and a considerable economic burden. Conventional treatments, such as steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressants, are often associated with adverse effects and high costs. In this context, flavonoids—such as those identified in the chemical composition of propolis—are emerging as highly promising therapeutic alternatives. This review highlights how diverse classes of flavonoids, including flavones, flavonols, flavanones, isoflavones, and flavan-3-ols, mitigate colitis through multiple interconnected mechanisms. Their main actions include reducing inflammation by decreasing the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and modulating key signaling pathways; exerting potent antioxidant activity; and improving intestinal barrier integrity by increasing tight junction proteins and mucin production. Numerous studies reporting significant improvements in clinical parameters such as body weight, colon length, and the disease activity index are discussed. Innovation in formulations, for example, the use of nanoparticles, is crucial to improve the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of flavonoids, allowing for their targeted delivery to the inflamed colon. In summary, flavonoids are promising candidates for the development of complementary or alternative treatments for ulcerative colitis. Although further clinical evidence is needed to establish their safety and conditions for use in humans, the available preclinical results are promising.
Related
- Therapeutic Potential of Propolis in Ulcerative Colitis: A Review of Preclinical Evidence.
- Propolis as an alternative treatment for companion animal skin infections: addressing antimicrobial resistance
- ECCO Guidelines on Therapeutics in Ulcerative Colitis: Medical Treatment
- Evaluating Upadacitinib in the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Active Ulcerative Colitis: Design, Development, and Potential Position in Therapy
- Gene and microRNA Expression Profiling in Experimental Colitis and Human Ulcerative Colitis: Effects of STAT6 Knockout and Corylus avellana Treatment
BibTeX
@article{hernandezsanchez2026propolis,
title = {{Propolis Flavonoids: Current Evidence in Animal Models and Future Promise for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis}},
author = {Karla Mariela Hernández-Sánchez and Oscar Nieto-Yañez and Claudia Rebeca Rivera-Yañez and Alexander Pedroza-González and Laura Francisco-Cruz and Claudia Tzasna Hernández-Delgado and Axel Rodrigo Molina-Gallardo and Nancy Aline Hernández-Rosas and Porfirio Alonso Ruiz-Hurtado and Cecilia Carlota Barrera-Ortega and Nelly Rivera-Yañez},
journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/ijms27209048},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9048},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Propolis Flavonoids: Current Evidence in Animal Models and Future Promise for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
AU - Karla Mariela Hernández-Sánchez
AU - Oscar Nieto-Yañez
AU - Claudia Rebeca Rivera-Yañez
AU - Alexander Pedroza-González
AU - Laura Francisco-Cruz
AU - Claudia Tzasna Hernández-Delgado
AU - Axel Rodrigo Molina-Gallardo
AU - Nancy Aline Hernández-Rosas
AU - Porfirio Alonso Ruiz-Hurtado
AU - Cecilia Carlota Barrera-Ortega
AU - Nelly Rivera-Yañez
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO - 10.3390/ijms27209048
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9048
AB - Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory bowel disease with a rising global incidence and a considerable economic burden. Conventional treatments, such as steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressants, are often associated with adverse effects and high costs. In this context, flavonoids—such as those identified in the chemical composition of propolis—are emerging as highly promising therapeutic alternatives. This review highlights how diverse classes of flavonoids, including flavones, flavonols, flavanones, isoflavones, and flavan-3-ols, mitigate colitis through multiple interconnected mechanisms. Their main actions include reducing inflammation by decreasing the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and modulating key signaling pathways; exerting potent antioxidant activity; and improving intestinal barrier integrity by increasing tight junction proteins and mucin production. Numerous studies reporting significant improvements in clinical parameters such as body weight, colon length, and the disease activity index are discussed. Innovation in formulations, for example, the use of nanoparticles, is crucial to improve the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of flavonoids, allowing for their targeted delivery to the inflamed colon. In summary, flavonoids are promising candidates for the development of complementary or alternative treatments for ulcerative colitis. Although further clinical evidence is needed to establish their safety and conditions for use in humans, the available preclinical results are promising.
SN - 1422-0067
ER -