Propolis. Eigenschappen, toepassingen, samenstelling, contactallergie, de allergenen en plakproeven

Propolis (bee glue) is the resinous substance that bees collect from living plants for the construction and adaptation of their nests. It has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties and may have a wide range of other beneficial biological activities. Propolis is available as dietary supplement, in products for the protection of health and prevention of diseases, in biopharmaceuticals, and as a constituent of (bio)cosmetics. Contact allergy to and allergic contact dermatitis from propolis has been well-documented, both as occupational disease in beekeepers and in consumers, especially from the use of propolis and propolis-containing products for medicinal purposes. In groups of patients routinely patch tested for suspected contact dermatitis, prevalence rates in recent studies were mostly 2% or higher. In Germany, the UK, USA and Canada, therefore, the propolis test material (10% in petrolatum) has been added to the baseline series. No data from the Netherlands are available. About half of the patients reacting to propolis also have a positive patch test to Myroxylon pereirae (balsam of Peru), either from common ingredients (pseudo-cross-reactivity) or from true cross-sensitivity to (substituted) cinnamic acids. The most important sensitizers in propolis are esters of caffeic acid such as methylbutenyl, phenethyl, benzyl and geranyl caffeate.