Bacterial resistance, recurrent infections, and impaired wound healing pose significant challenges in clinical wound management. Natural biomass-derived ca

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major pathogen associated with a variety of gastrointestinal disorders, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. As a natural bioactive product, propolis exhibits multifaceted and multi-mechanistic effects. Due to its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, propolis has emerged as a promising therapeutic alternative, offering an innovative approach to managing H. pylori infections and providing new insights into addressing antibiotic resistance. Methods: This comprehensive review, synthesizing data from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and SciFinder, examines the mechanisms by which propolis combats H. pylori. Results: Propolis has demonstrated significant antibacterial efficacy against H. pylori in both in vitro and in vivo models. Its multitargeted mechanisms of action include direct inhibition of bacterial growth, interference with the expression of virulence factors, suppression of virulence-associated enzymes and toxin activity, immunomodulation, and anti-inflammatory effects. These combined actions alleviate gastric mucosal inflammation and damage, reduce bacterial colonization, and promote mucosal healing through antioxidant and repair-promoting effects. Furthermore, propolis disrupts oral biofilms, restores the balance of the oral microbiome, and exerts bactericidal effects in the oral cavity. Synergistic interactions between propolis and conventional medications or other natural agents highlight its potential as an adjunctive therapy. Conclusions: Propolis demonstrates dual functionality by inhibiting the release of inflammatory mediators and suppressing H. pylori growth, highlighting its potential as an adjuvant therapeutic agent. However, clinical translation requires standardized quality control and higher-level clinical evidence. Future research should focus on validating its clinical efficacy and determining optimal dosing regimens, and exploring its role in reducing H. pylori recurrence.

To comprehensively evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and bioactivities of three distinctive Apis cerana (A. cerana) honeys—Bauhinia championii honey (BCH), Polygonum perfoliatum honey (PPH), and Rhus chinensis honey (RCH)—systematic analyses were performed on total phenolic content (TPC), in vitro antioxidant capacity (via DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays), antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli, and volatile composition analysis. Among the varieties, BCH presented the most substantial TPC (636.21 ± 17.05 mg GAE/kg), a value statistically higher than that of PPH and RCH (p < 0.05), and correspondingly exhibited superior antioxidant performance across all assays. All honeys displayed a clear concentration-dependent antioxidant effect. Antibacterial assays revealed that both undiluted and diluted (0.5 g/mL) samples exerted significant inhibitory effects on the tested pathogens, furthermore, BCH and PPH showing significantly higher inhibition against S. aureus than the positive control (penicillin, p < 0.05). Volatile profiling by HS-SPME-GC-QQQ identified 42, 35, and 38 volatile compounds in BCH, PPH, and RCH, respectively, including esters, terpenes, aldehydes, and phenolics. Cedrol (in PPH), phenylethyl acetate (in BCH), and benzaldehyde (in RCH) were pinpointed as potential botanical markers that define their characteristic aroma profiles and may partially contribute to their bioactivity. Collectively, these honeys possess remarkable antioxidant and antibacterial properties, with BCH showing the greatest potential for functional food applications owing to its high phenolic concentration and robust overall bioactivity. These findings elucidate the intrinsic link between the botanical chemical signatures of A. cerana honey and its biological functions, offering a scientific foundation for their utilization in functional food innovation, geographical indication protection, and quality authentication.

Chinese propolis (CP), a polyphenol-rich functional food, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity. However, research on the mechanisms by which it affects inflammatory infections associated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria remains limited. This study investigated the protective role of CP supplementation against inflammation associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and explored the underlying mechanisms. Anti-inflammatory effects were assessed both in vitro using RAW264.7 macrophages and in vivo using a mouse model of acute lung inflammation induced by heat-inactivated MRSA. Additionally, lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a key MRSA-derived virulence factor, was used to stimulate macrophages for mechanistic evaluation. CP significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO) production and downregulated the mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators in MRSA-stimulated macrophages. In vivo, CP supplementation alleviated pulmonary inflammation in mice by reducing inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissues and downregulating the gene expression of inflammation-related cytokines. Comparable protective effects were observed in the LTA-induced cell model. CP also decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and inhibited the expression of key proteins associated with MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Untargeted metabolomic and ELISA analyses revealed that CP primarily suppresses LTB₄, a key metabolite in the 5-LOX branch of arachidonic acid metabolism. Finally, molecular docking analysis identified chrysin, quercetin and pinocembrin as the key constituents in CP responsible for its anti-MRSA associated inflammation activity. These findings suggest that regular dietary intake of CP may help prevent or alleviate inflammation associated with antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, supporting its potential as a natural dietary intervention.