Bee products as alternatives in the treatment of viral infections

Michał Otręba; Łukasz Marek; Jerzy Stojko; Anna Rzepecka‐Stojko

doi:10.1002/jsfa.70017

journal article Open Access Jul 04, 2025

Bee products as alternatives in the treatment of viral infections

Michał Otręba

Łukasz Marek

Jerzy Stojko

Anna Rzepecka‐Stojko

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture Vol. 106 No. 1 pp. 33-54 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/jsfa.70017

Abstract

Abstract

Medicines used in the treatment of viral infections usually reduce symptoms. There is a need to develop drugs that inhibit the viruses and do not merely relieve the symptoms. Natural bee products possess many pharmacological properties and are widely used in folk medicine. There are many studies on the antibacterial effects of bee products but little is known about their antiviral effects. An extensive literature search was conducted to find and summarize all articles about the antiviral activity of bee products such as bee bread, bee pollen, bee venom, beeswax, honey, propolis, and royal jelly. Analysis of the results showed that these products significantly affect RNA and DNA viruses, which are responsible for respiratory and digestive diseases. The bee products described in the review decrease the half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC
50
) and the half‐maximal effective concentration (EC
50
); they also increase the selectivity index (SI) values in comparison with controls. The mechanism of the antiviral effect of these products varies widely depending on the type of product and the virus. Thus, more
in vitro
and
in vivo
studies should be performed to confirm the use of bee products as a safe and promising adjunctive treatment in antiviral therapy. © 2025 The Author(s).
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

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Details

Published: Jul 04, 2025
Vol/Issue: 106(1)
Pages: 33-54
License: View

Authors

M

Michał Otręba

Department of Drug and Cosmetics Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec Medical University of Silesia in Katowice Sosnowiec Poland

�

Łukasz Marek

Department of Toxicology, Toxicological Analysis and Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec Medical University of Silesia in Katowice Sosnowiec Poland

J

Jerzy Stojko

Department of Toxicology, Toxicological Analysis and Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec Medical University of Silesia in Katowice Sosnowiec Poland

A

Anna Rzepecka‐Stojko

Department of Drug and Cosmetics Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec Medical University of Silesia in Katowice Sosnowiec Poland

Cite This Article

Michał Otręba, Łukasz Marek, Jerzy Stojko, et al. (2025). Bee products as alternatives in the treatment of viral infections. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 106(1), 33-54. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.70017

Bee products as alternatives in the treatment of viral infections

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